Know Wyoming’s Foe: NIU Huskies

LARAMIE -- No one in the Mountain West Conference has more catches than DeAree Rogers.

Only four other players have more receiving yards.

Wyoming has already faced those guys: San Jose State's Carson Clark and Cooper Hoch, along with North Dakota State's Jackson Williams and Kainoa Carvalho of Hawaii.

Those four accounted for 19 grabs and 246 yards. Clark led the way, hauling in eight throws for 91 yards in last Friday night's 16-13 overtime loss to the Cowboys inside CEFCU Stadium.

While that foursome has done some damage against a decimated Wyoming secondary, none have crossed the white stripe.

Rogers has two touchdowns this fall, the first against Illinois State and the other at Georgia State. He eclipsed the century mark against the Panthers, too. The 5-foot-11 senior definitely has the full attention of Wyoming's staff.

"He's got really good hands," Jay Sawvel said during his Monday press conference. "He's just a good player, right? So, look, (Northern Illinois) has skill. They've got skill in the perimeter that we have to deal with."

Wyoming is also getting a boost on the backend against the Huskies with this return of cornerback Tyson Shamsid-Deen, who will play with a cast on his hand. There is no timetable for the return of Kendall Griffin (hand) and Ian Bell (foot).

Limiting the deep ball will be a goal, but stopping the run always comes first.

Wyoming's third-year head coach is also focused on 215-pound running back Telly Johnson Jr. The junior bullied his way into the end zone in Saturday's 28-7 setback against Air Force in DeKalb. That was a nine-yard burst late in the second quarter. He trucked defensive back Cade Paterson and blew through a pair of arm tackles.

"He is a good back," Sawvel added. "He's a big back that has good top-end speed. So, one of the biggest things that we've got to do is make sure there's no kind of misfit or rip that gets him into a second level, because then you're talking about a 215-pound guy that could break a tackle."

This will be the second-consecutive week the Cowboys have faced one of the league's best runners.

Jabari Bates, who sits atop the rushing charts, was limited to just 69 yards on 16 carries. He did score once. That came on an 18-yard cutback in the second quarter.

"We tackled well," Sawvel said, pointing out players like safeties Jones Thomas and Brooklyn Cheek. "We tackled well in space. We played really well up front."

As bad as the Cowboys offense has struggled so far in 2026, NIU, a conference newcomer -- in most cases -- says hold my beer.

The number bear that out:

* Total offense - 290.8 yards - 130th out of 138 FBS programs.

* This-down conversions - 21-of-68 - 125th

* Red-zone offense - 5-of-13 - 138th

* Rushing offense - 86 yards per game - 136th

* Sacks allowed - 18 - 136th

* Tackles for loss allowed - 33 - 125th

* Scoring offense - 12.4 - 138th

Kickoff between the Cowboys (3-3, 2-1) and Huskies (0-5, 0-1) is slated for 1:30 p.m. inside War Memorial Stadium. Saturday's game will be televised on The CW.

"We'll be excited to go play," Sawvel said. "Look, we need to get better. It's a great opportunity to get better. We know Northern Illinois is going to come here and play well and play hard."

Meet the Huskies:

* Head coach: Rob Harley (1st year) 0-5 overall, 0-1 in MW play

* Offensive coordinator: Tony Petersen (1st year), Quinn Sanders (2nd year) Defensive coordinator: Rob Harley (1st year)

* Record in 2026: 0-5 overall, 0-1 in Mountain West

* Offense in 2026: Average 12.4 ppg, 290.8 ypg (86 rush, 204.8 pass)

* Defense in 2026: Allow 34.6 ppg, 396.6 ypg (211.4 rush, 185.2 pass)

* Key Returners/ Newcomers - Offense: Taron Dicken (QB - 97-140, 977 yds, 3 TD, 3 INT; 34 rush, -19 yds), Telly Johnson Jr. (RB - 65 rush, 300 yds, 3 TD; 9 catch, 47 yds), Elijah Porter (RB - 24 rush, 92 yds, TD; 5 catch, 24 yds), DeAree Rogers (WR - 38 catch, 333 yds, 2 TD), La'Don Bryant (WR - 17 catch, 220 yds), Cam Thompson (WR - 10 catch, 115 yds, TD), George Dimopoulos (WR - 7 catch, 88 yds)

* Key Returners - Defense: Kyon Conyers (S - 36 tackles, PBU, INT), Jack Murray (LB - 36 tackles, sack, PBU), Jashawn Nelson (LB - 35 tackles, 1.5 sacks, PBU), Brady Kerperin (LB - 29 tackles, sack), Avery Jones (DB - 28 tackles, 2 sacks), Aaron Warren (DB - 19 tackles, PBU), Malik Armstrong (S - 19 tackles), Yassine Falke (CB - 14 tackles, 3 INT), Jay'Shon Thomas (DE - 14 tackles, 0.5 sacks)

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* FINAL LIVE FILE: Wyoming 16, San Jose State 13 OT

* Wyoming Outlasts San Jose State in Overtime, 16-13

* Turning Point, Unsung Hero and What's Next for UW Football

* Behind the Numbers: Pokes 'Let it Rip' on Fourth Down

* Hughes Put Cowboys on His Bruised Back in 16-13 OT Win

* Anatomy of an 8-Game Road Losing Streak

* Q&A With Frustrated Wyoming Offensive Coordinator Christian Taylor

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