Despite falling to Nebraska 68-28 in the 14th annual Wyoming-Nebraska 6-Man Shootout, Team Wyoming demonstrated early strength and competitive spirit in Friday’s all-star matchup in Chadron, Nebraska, My Country 95.5 reports.
Wyoming jumped out to a fast start, scoring on just the fifth play of the game. Little Snake River’s Bridger Cozzens capped the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run, followed by a successful PAT kick, giving the Cowboy State an early 8-0 advantage.
After Nebraska answered with a pair of touchdowns, Wyoming responded with poise. Burlington’s Rykael Andrew caught a 7-yard touchdown pass, putting Wyoming back in front at 16-14. The team then executed a successful onside kick, which led to another score—this time a 4-yard TD pass to Joe Bassett, also from Burlington—extending Wyoming’s lead to 22-14 midway through the second quarter.
Although Nebraska went on to score 54 unanswered points, Wyoming had multiple highlight moments that reflected the talent and determination of its all-star roster. The Cowboy State’s defense made a key goal-line stand late in the second quarter, keeping the game close at 30-22 by halftime.
Even as momentum shifted in the second half, Wyoming continued to battle. The team’s final score came in the closing minutes when Bassett intercepted a Nebraska pass and returned it for a touchdown, showcasing Wyoming’s resilience to the end.
While Nebraska now leads the all-time series 8-6 and has won five of the last six meetings, Wyoming’s early dominance and strong individual performances offered reasons for optimism. The annual 6-Man Shootout remains a valuable opportunity to celebrate the unique brand of football played across rural communities in both states—and Wyoming’s athletes proudly upheld that legacy.
