“To say that we’re just going to flip the field and say we’re going to drastically change and send out a message to (Nevada) coach (Jay) Norvell that I’ve been in touch with (Washington State coach) Mike Leach and we’re going to be air-raid within one week, I think that’d be an overstatement,” Wyoming coach Craig Bohl said. “But I think it’s important for us to recognize we need to throw the ball better, and we’re making strides that way.”

Even against a Wolf Pack defense that ranks 116th out of 130 Football Bowl Subdivision teams against the pass (279.4 yards allowed per game), Wyoming plans to lean on its running game that trails only Air Force in production in the Mountain West. Down two of its top three running backs and a pair of starters along the offensive line, the Cowboys still pounded away at UNM with 55 rushes for 259 yards, including 162 in the second half.

And that was against the nation’s worst pass defense, though Chambers did throw 12 passes in the first half to try to take advantage of that as well as to try to establish a rhythm that’s been lacking. Wyoming, which has attempted more than 18 passes just once all season, still ranks 127th nationally in passing yards (111 per game) and last in completion percentage (39.5).