The University of Wyoming’s football team is set to descend on Las Vegas for the 2026 Old Trapper Mountain West Conference Media Days, a three‑day gathering that brings together coaches, players and fans from across the conference.
Coaches and Stars Take the Spotlight
Head coach Jay Sawvel will join a select group of student‑athletes, including quarterback Tyler Hughes, linebacker Rex Johnsen, defensive back Ethan Stuhlsatz and running back Jayden Williams, for a series of one‑on‑one interviews that will be streamed live on the Mountain West’s digital platform, MW+.
Fans can tune in for free on MW+ as the schedule unfolds, with players appearing on Wednesday and Sawvel taking the mic on Thursday, offering a rare glimpse into the program’s preparations and philosophy.
Hughes arrives in Laramie after a breakout season at William & Mary, where he became the first quarterback in school history to eclipse 2,000 passing yards while also rushing for over 600 yards. In 2025 he threw for 2,330 yards and 20 touchdowns, adding 670 rushing yards and 11 more scores.
Johnsen, who started every game last year, helped the Cowboys’ backfield produce multiple 100‑yard rushing performances, and his preseason accolades include a Second Team nod from Athlon Sports and Third Team recognition by Phil Steele.
Stuhlsatz, a defensive stalwart who appeared in all 12 games, logged 41 tackles and earned Academic All‑MW honors, was selected to the First Team Preseason All‑MW by both Athlon Sports and Phil Steele.
Williams, who saw action in 11 games with three starts, recorded 24 tackles and garnered Second Team Preseason All‑MW honors, rounding out a defensive unit that finished the season ranked No. 30 nationally in points allowed.
The Cowboys’ defense proved dominant in 2025, posting a 20.5 points‑per‑game average that placed them among the nation’s best, while also ranking second in red‑zone defense and 13th in passing yards allowed.
Special teams contributed significantly, blocking four kicks and recording two shutouts — the first such shutouts since 1966 — helping the team climb to fifth nationally in kick‑blocking.
Coach Sawvel’s impact is evident in the seven All‑Mountain West honorees he mentored last year, a testament to a culture that blends on‑field grit with academic excellence.
Looking Forward
As the team prepares for the upcoming season, the buzz generated by Media Days promises to carry momentum into fall practices, with supporters eager to see whether the Cowboys can translate their recent accolades into another winning campaign.