NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (Interstat) — Tyler Hughes threw for two touchdowns and Markell Holman rushed for 80 yards as Wyoming beat Northern Colorado 21-13 on Saturday in an NCAA Football Bowl Division game at War Memorial Stadium. The Cowboys, playing as the home team, improved to 1-1. The Bears, the visiting team, dropped to 0-3. Wyoming’s offense found enough big plays against a Northern Colorado defense that kept the game within reach for much of the afternoon. The Cowboys scored seven points in the first quarter and 14 in the third. Northern Colorado scored 10 points in the first quarter and three in the second. The result gave Wyoming its first win of the season after a season-opening loss, while Northern Colorado remained in search of its first victory after three competitive nonconference games.

Northern Colorado started quickly and built an early advantage. The Bears put 10 points on the board in the opening quarter, using a balanced approach that mixed runs from Kieryus Boone, Jordan Herron, Mathias Price and Justin Guin with throws from Brayten Silbor and Kenny Lueth. Wyoming answered with seven points in the first quarter, keeping the home crowd engaged. The Bears added three points in the second quarter to take a 13-7 lead into halftime. The Bears’ early success came through a mix of run and pass that tested Wyoming’s front seven. That margin held until Wyoming’s offense broke through in the third quarter, when the Cowboys scored 14 points to take control. Hughes directed the comeback, and Holman’s steady rushing helped Wyoming sustain drives and keep Northern Colorado’s defense on the field.

Lueth connected with Marcus Mozer on a 45-yard touchdown pass, one of Northern Colorado’s biggest offensive plays of the game. Landon Richardson provided the Bears’ kicking points, making field goals from 45 yards and 35 yards. The Bears also got contributions from receivers Garrett Harstad and Trey Olsen, while James Moore handled punting duties. Northern Colorado’s offense moved the ball in stretches but could not produce enough points after halftime. The Bears’ final points came in the second quarter, and they were held scoreless in the second half as Wyoming’s defense tightened. The Cowboys limited the big play after Mozer’s touchdown and forced Northern Colorado to settle for field goals earlier in the game.

Wyoming’s offense was led by Hughes, who threw two touchdown passes. Holman finished with 80 rushing yards, giving the Cowboys a reliable presence on the ground. Samuel Harris scored on a 4-yard run, and Erik Sandvik made his extra-point attempts. Kyle Frendt caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Hughes, and the Cowboys also got production from Eric Richardson, Jake Wilson, Charlie Coenen, Jackson Holman and Isaac Schoenfeld in the passing game. Bart Edmiston punted for Wyoming. The Cowboys also leaned on their kicking game and special teams when drives stalled. The Cowboys finished drives in the third quarter, turning a halftime deficit into a lead they did not relinquish. Hughes’ two scoring throws and Holman’s rushing helped Wyoming control the clock and keep Northern Colorado from mounting a late comeback.

Key plays included Harris’ short touchdown run, Richardson’s 45-yard field goal, Lueth’s 45-yard scoring strike to Mozer, Richardson’s 35-yard field goal and Hughes’ 18-yard touchdown pass to Frendt. Sandvik and Richardson handled the extra points and field goals for their respective teams. Northern Colorado’s offense also worked in Evan Morris, Cadence Turner, Kaleb Quammie and Blake Palladino in situational roles. Wyoming’s Kendall Griffin and Tyler Siddons were listed among the Cowboys’ participants.

Northern Colorado’s defense had its moments. Franky Morales, Hudson Voggesser, Blake Weslin, KJ Smedley, Ezra Ekuban, Dominic Butts, Mikhail Benner, Brooks Maile, Ayden Merrihew, Kai Shelton, Brennen Acosta, Levi Little, Jackson Raguse, Joshua Harvey and Andres Rodriguez all saw action for the Bears. The group helped keep Wyoming from pulling away early, but the Cowboys eventually found the end zone enough to secure the win. Wyoming’s defense also made key stops. Ethan Stuhlsatz, Gary Rutherford, Steven Perez, Jones Thomas, Brooklyn Cheek and Ja’Quan Redfern were among the Cowboys’ defensive contributors. The game remained a one-score contest into the second half before Wyoming’s third-quarter surge created separation.

The game was part of a challenging early-season stretch for Northern Colorado. The Bears lost to South Dakota 38-23 on Sept. 5 and fell to Weber State 30-29 on Aug. 28. Wyoming had opened its season with a 35-13 loss at Colorado State on Sept. 5. Northern Colorado will return home to face Northeastern State on Sept. 19 before hosting Utah Tech on Sept. 26. The Bears then play at Montana on Oct. 3, at Eastern Washington on Oct. 10, host Cal Poly on Oct. 17, play at UC Davis on Oct. 24, visit Southern Utah on Nov. 7, host Montana State on Nov. 14 and play at Northern Arizona on Nov. 21. Wyoming will visit Central Michigan on Sept. 19, host Hawaii on Sept. 26, play at North Dakota State on Oct. 3, visit San Jose State on Oct. 9, host Northern Illinois on Oct. 17, host Air Force on Oct. 23, play at UNLV on Nov. 7, visit UTEP on Nov. 14, host New Mexico on Nov. 21 and host Connecticut on Nov. 28. Both teams will continue their seasons next week.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected a final score of Wyoming 34, Northern Colorado 5. Interstat’s ELO system had projected Wyoming with a 95.9 percent probability to win. Those projections were posted before kickoff. Northern Colorado’s three losses have come by margins of 15, 1 and 8 points. Wyoming’s 21-13 victory moved the Cowboys to 1-1, while the Bears fell to 0-3. The Cowboys celebrated their first victory of the season.