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Hughes Keeps His Focus on Team as Wyoming Builds Momentum
LARAMIE, Wyo. - Tyler Hughes said the criticism hasn’t changed how he approaches his job. He has mistakes to correct and teammates counting on him.
“I've just been focused on the things that are important to the team,” Hughes said in an exclusive interview with Pokes News.
Hughes rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns in Wyoming’s 41-23 win over Northern Illinois on Saturday. He also completed 16 of 19 passes for 196 yards as the Cowboys improved to 4-3 overall and 3-1 in Mountain West play.
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The touchdown runs covered 53, 24, 6 and 11 yards. His passing helped Wyoming answer when Northern Illinois cut the lead to 20-9 in the third quarter.
On the next possession, Hughes connected with Eric Richardson for 40 yards and Kyle Frendt for 27 before scoring on a 6-yard run. Richardson finished with five catches for 77 yards. Frendt caught three passes for 61.
Hughes said studying film and working through corrections have helped him improve since the opener. He has also worked on recognizing when to take a shorter completion.
“I think Coach Taylor's done a really good job of putting me in a great spot too,” Hughes said.
Offensive coordinator Christian Taylor has relied more on Hughes’ running ability significantly over the past two games. We asked Hughes whether Taylor had been holding the cards to his chest until this point in the season; Hughes said it’s what Wyoming needed in the win at San Jose State and beyond.
“I just think at that moment at San Jose, it was something that was needed, and I was willing to step up and do that,” he said.
Against Northern Illinois, Hughes needed just 12 carries to gain his 183 yards. Wyoming rushed for 314 yards and finished with 510 yards of offense..
Markell Holman added 80 rushing yards on 14 carries, while Nico Hamilton had 31 on eight attempts. Landon Sims scored Wyoming’s final touchdown on an 11-yard run.
Hughes credited the blocking in front of him, particularly the tight ends. He praised their effort and willingness to make corrections.
“I'm super appreciative of those guys and I'm very excited for where that group is headed to.”
Hughes earned Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week honors and appeared on SportsCenter after the win. He said he was preparing for Air Force and didn’t realize ESPN had featured him.
Asked whether he had ever imagined appearing on SportsCenter, Hughes said, “In my dreams for sure.”
The Cowboys host Air Force on Friday night with a chance to win their third straight game. Hughes said his belief in himself and his teammates has held up through the criticism.
“We know who we are, who we want to be, and who we will be,” he said.
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