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Wyoming Cowboys stun Missouri Tigers in 2019 opener

Freshman QB Sean Chambers totals 212 yards, TD
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(Wyoming release)

LARAMIE, Wyo. - The Wyoming Cowboy football team knocked off SEC opponent Missouri, 37-31, in front of 26,037 fans here in Laramie on Saturday night. The Cowboys forced three turnovers on their way to starting the season 1-0.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Chambers ran for a game-high 120 yards and a score on 12 carries, while sophomore running back Xazavian Valladay ran for 119 yards and a touchdown on 15 touches. Chambers also passed for 92 yards on 6-of-16 passing. His favorite target was senior wide receiver Austin Conway, who caught two passes for 42 yards.

Defensively, senior Alijah Haliburton had 13 tackles, a tackle for loss and a 79-yard fumble recovery to set up a field goal at the end of the first half. Senior Logan Wilson recorded 13 tackles, while sophomore CJ Coldon had five tackles and a 30-yard fumble recovery touchdown. Senior linebacker Cassh Maluiahad a touchdown-saving interception and four tackles.

Missouri opened the scoring with a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter. However, the Cowboys exploded in the second quarter for 27 points. Rothe converted on a 19-yard field goal before Coldon scored his defensive touchdown. Then, Valladay had a 61-yard rushing score before the Tigers stopped the run with a 22-yard field goal. Chambers added a 75-yard rushing score, and Rothe tacked on a 23-yard field goal at the end of the half, and the Cowboys took a 27-17 lead into the locker room.

Out of the break, senior running back Trey Smith scored on a rush from one yard out. In the fourth quarter, the Tigers added a touchdown before Rothe converted his third field goal of the night, this one from 20 yards out. The Tigers would add another touchdown, and the Cowboys had a fourth-down stop with 29 seconds to play to seal the victory.

The Cowboys are back in action on Saturday, Sept. 7, when the travel to face Texas State at 5 p.m. (MT).