Husker Ties to Wyoming Get Nebraska?s Full Respect

Mike Riley on Wyoming's Methodical Ball-Control Style

Bob Devaney's Intriguing Departure from Wyoming

Notes from Monday Presser: Riley Wants Cleaner Play

Randy York’s N-Sider

Official Blog of the Huskers

Because it’s the home of Yellowstone National Park and Jackson Hole, Wyoming has the reputation of being one of the most peaceful places on earth. The state's stunning geysers, fresh air and night skies are true treasures, but the state motto is the Equality State because Wyoming was the first state to grant women the right to vote in 1869.

Equality is a fitting theme connecting Nebraska with Wyoming in Saturday’s 11 a.m. game at Memorial Stadium. The two programs share more than a border. They share equal measures of pride and appreciation for Bob Devaney, who became Nebraska's head football coach in 1962 after spending six highly successful seasons at Wyoming from 1956 to 1961.

When Devaney earned College Football Hall of Fame status, both border states rightfully claimed equally important roles in his enshrinement. Wyoming was Devaney’s first of two stops as a head coach. He posted a 35-10-5 record in Laramie before guiding Nebraska to a 101-20-2 record in 11 seasons, highlighted by back-to-back national championships in 1970 and '71.

Wyoming Head Coach Craig Bohl Played and Coached at Nebraska

Unique ties are woven into the buildup to Saturday’s nationally televised game on ESPN2. Wyoming Head Coach Craig Bohl played and coached at Nebraska. He was a Husker defensive back from 1977 to '79 and  coached for eight years (1995 to 2002) on Nebraska's staff, serving his final three seasons as defensive coordinator.

Bohl also helped Nebraska to a pair of national championships (1995 and 1997) during his stint as a Husker assistant coach. Two former Husker letterwinners are on Bohl's coaching staff at Wyoming – Steve Stanard (defensive coordinator/linebackers) and Mike Grant (wide receivers). Another Husker tie is sophomore Andrew Wingard, who became the only freshman in Wyoming history to record 100 tackles in a single season. Dan Wingard, Andrew’s dad, was a two-year letterwinning punter at Nebraska in 1983 and '85.

Wyoming opened the season Saturday night with a 40-34 triple overtime victory over Northern Illinois in Laramie in a game that lasted well into Sunday morning. The Cowboys featured a balanced offensive attack in the win, rushing for 243 yards, while passing for 245 yards.

The matchup with Wyoming completes a three-game series between the two schools. The Huskers won at Laramie in 2011 and defeated the Cowboys in Lincoln in 2013. Nebraska holds a 7-0 all-time edge against Wyoming, a member of the Mountain West Conference. The Huskers have won 30 consecutive games against Mountain West opponents.

Like Gill and Powers, Bohl Third Former Husker to Coach Against Alma Mater

On Saturday, Bohl will join a short list of former Husker players and coaches to match up with Nebraska as an opposing head coach. Bohl is just the third former Husker player since 1950 to serve as a head coach in a matchup against Nebraska. Turner Gill was Kansas' head coach in a 2010 matchup with the Huskers, while Warren Powers guided both Washington State and Missouri against Nebraska.

Nebraska’s nationally prominent media relations team also points out that Bohl is one of six former Husker assistants to later coach against Nebraska as an opposing head coach. The list also includes Gill (Kansas), Powers (Washington State, Missouri), Kevin Steele (Baylor), Jim Walden (Iowa State) and Carl Selmer (Miami).

Four Coaches with Nebraska Background Serve on AFCA Board of Trustees  

At Monday’s weekly press conference, Riley pointed out that he served with Bohl on the American Football Coaches Association’s (AFCA) Board of Trustees. Nineteen head coaches serve on the AFCA board, including four with direct Nebraska football ties – Mike Riley (Nebraska), Frank Solich (Ohio), Turner Gill (Liberty University) and Craig Bohl (Wyoming). Solich ranks fourth in AFCA seniority and serves as the board’s third vice president.

Wyoming Natives Who Lettered in Football at Nebraska

Justin Baumgartner, long snapper, Cheyenne, 2008

Jon Dawson, offensive guard, Cheyenne, 2000

Troy Dumas, linebacker, Cheyenne, 1991-92-93-94

Gordon House, center, Powell, Wyo., 1921-22

Andrew Long, halfback, Buffalo, Wyo., 1930

Glenn Patterson, offensive tackle, Worland, Wyo., 1967-68-69

Dan Titchener, punter, Cheyenne, 2006-07-08

Don Westbrook, wingback, Cheyenne, 1972-73-74

Kiffin Wigert, wide receiver, Cheyenne, 2003-04

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