GALLERY: Pokes Put Through Woodchipper in Fargo

FARGO, N.D., -- The finely-dressed gentleman in the main photo didn't look that stoic at the conclusion of Saturday's game inside a sold-out Fargodome.

His North Dakota State Bison, who remain unbeaten in Year 1 at the FBS level, flexed their collective muscles -- especially on defense -- in a 28-0 blanking of new conference rival Wyoming.

It was just as bad as that score would indicate.

The Cowboys' offense mustered just 162 total yards, 52 of which came of the right arm of Tyler Hughes. The senior signal caller's day was rough from the jump, tossing a pick on the initial play from scrimmage.

Five snaps later, his counterpart, Nathan Hayes, was cruising into the end zone from eight yards out.

That much-maligned unit, led by first-year offensive coordinator Christian Taylor, managed just eight first downs all afternoon. Bart Edmiston punted seven times in the lopsided loss.

The offensive line failed to open many holes for Wyoming's backfield duo Samuel Harris and Markell Holman. A week after combining for 181 rushing yards and all three touchdowns in an impressive victory over Hawaii, the stable was limited to just 60 on 18 carries in Fargo.

"My evaluation of everything, offensively, was: We weren't good enough," head coach Jay Sawvel said postgame. "So, that'd be the evaluation of quarterback, coaching, offensive line, tight ends -- you know, the whole picture, right? So we've got to go back and figure out a way to get better."

The visitors gave up three sacks and were just 2-of-11 on third down. They also turned the ball over on downs twice.

It was an all-around disaster.

"I mean, it's maddening, right?," Sawvel added. "It's a simple thing: I'm 7-3 as a head coach here when we score 21 points. That's not an obscene amount of points ... So, it's maddening when we're in that space and not able to produce, offensively. There's going to be a lot of things that our players are going to have to learn off of this video."

The Cowboys are now 2-3 overall and 1-1 in Mountain West play. Up next, a short week and a trip to San Jose State to take on a team that has beaten them four straight times on their home field.

Kickoff between Wyoming and SJSU is set for Friday at 7 p.m. Mountain Time. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network.

MORE UW FOOTBALL NEWS VIA 7220SPORTS:

* Miller Brings Energy, Passion to Pokes' Secondary

* Timeline: Polasek to Remain Wyoming OC Until NDSU Called

* Pokes, Bison Meet Saturday in First-Ever Battle of the Basins

* DeBlanc Wants the Ball: 'I Feel Like I'm a Walking First Down'

* Stuhlsatz Has Found His Voice in Pokes' Locker Room

* Wyoming Cowboys in the NFL: Week 3

* PODCAST: Battle of Basins Could be Hot, New Rivalry

* Know Wyoming's Foe: NDSU Bison

* Hawaii Coach Questions Wyoming's Physicality. Pokes Answer

* North Dakota State Notebook: Place Your Bets

* Battle of Basins: Wyoming, NDSU Begin New Tradition

In the meantime, check out the photo gallery below. Our new photographer, Hilario Cadena, made the long trip to Fargo to document the first Battle of the Basins. It was a forgettable one.