FAMOUS IDAHO POTATO BOWL: KENT STATE VS WYOMING

December 21, 2021

Craig Bohl

Levi Williams

Chad Muma

Albertsons Stadium

Wyoming Cowboys

Press Conference

Wyoming 52, Kent State 38

THE MODERATOR: We'll start with an opening statement from Coach Bohl.

CRAIG BOHL: First of all, what a great experience for our players, the city of Boise, Idaho, Famous Idaho Potato Bowl does a great job. Our players have thoroughly enjoyed it. We were real excited when this invitation came about.

Obviously we're really pleased with a win. Kent State is an excellent offense and capable defense. It was going to be a high-scoring game. It was going to be important for us to make some big plays. These guys to my left certainly did that. We needed to come up with a win. I know we were disappointed after our last game. We felt like we were much better. But that's in the rearview mirror.

I thought our guys played well. We were challenged. We accepted the challenge. I want to wish Kent State the best. I think they've got a really good program. They're going to win a lot of games in the future.

But I can tell you the future looks really bright for Cowboy football, as well. I'm pleased obviously with the effort of the players and the coaches. We're really excited about coming up with another win.

At this time questions.

Q. Levi, especially given how the season started with you as the backup, what does it mean to you today to be holding the MVP trophy?

LEVI WILLIAMS: It's really awesome. It's about not quitting, knowing your role. I feel like I played my role pretty well. Like I said out there, this game was dedicated to Ayden. I know he's watching. He's kind of having a tough time right now. My grandmother just passed, it's to her. I know they're watching over me today, so yeah.

Q. Levi, speaking of your grandmother, how emotional can you describe your week has been, how hard it's been to prep, be away from home?

LEVI WILLIAMS: You know, it's pretty hard. I want to be home with my family. She lived with me my entire life. It's hard. But God took her home, she's dancing with my grandpa in heaven right now. I'm sure she's having a great time (smiling).

Q. Chad, Levi and the guys put a lot of points on the board. A stretch with three three-and-outs. How did you hang in there defensively and turn things around?

CHAD MUMA: I think it was just those explosive plays that the offense was creating. After it happened, I don't think we really altered off of what our game plan was. We talked about it on the sideline, picked each other up. Once those plays happened, again, I feel like we fit them up right, kind of avoided those long runs, were able to get off the field on those fourth downs.

Q. Chad and Garrett and Trey Smith had some big runs for you guys. What was it like to see the seniors out there playing their last game?

CRAIG BOHL: It's always very heartwarming. As a coach, you just remember these guys when they first show up. Obviously many of them physically change. For them to be able to come in there and compete. Chad and Garrett are full-time players, but to see Trey go in and score, then the team just celebrate. He's been one of the ultimate team players as well.

That's one of the reasons why I think this football team persevered through some ups and downs. They really believe in one another. We've got really great unity.

Q. According to ESPN, Levi is the first quarterback to rush for 200 yards in a bowl game in NCAA history.

CRAIG BOHL: Certainly outstanding. There's a couple things. One, he's very gifted. I thought Coach Polasek and the offensive coaches schemed up some things. The offensive line and the other guys blocked well for him.

But it's hard. He can run like the wind. Obviously it was great to see him make those plays. He's very capable. Anytime you have a player that can do that, that just gives you so many more weapons.

Huge, huge component in our win today.

Q. You were able to score in the last four minutes of the first half and then the first four minutes of the second half. How big is that middle eight? Did you feel that was a turning point today?

CRAIG BOHL: I know there's all kinds of different terms, 'middle eight'.

I knew coming out of the locker room it was going to be really important for us to get some momentum going again. I always believe the most important series is then.

Really encouraged about that. I thought our offense put their foot on the gas the whole time. We started to dial some things back within the passing game, but kudos to our offense right there.

Q. Coach, you played three MAC teams this year, averaged 49 points per game. Anything different facing those guys that you were able to scheme for?

CRAIG BOHL: It's hard to put our finger on. First of all, we have a great deal of respect for the MAC Conference, how this bowl game is set up. I know the commissioner was in today. He's a dear friend of mine.

Why we're scoring those points? We'll take them. I can say that (smiling).

Q. Levi, what does a performance like today do for the confidence coming back?

LEVI WILLIAMS: It's really cool. We knew we had it in us. This week it was preparing. We had an option we could either roll over and feel sorry for ourselves after a loss against Hawaii or we could come out and play. We knew we had to face adversity and we did. Kudos to the seniors and all the guys who responded, so...

Q. Levi, twice now you've come off the bench late in the season and taken over at quarterback, led the team to bowl victories. Do you think about that at all? See any similarities?

LEVI WILLIAMS: Not really. Like I said, just playing my role, doing what I can do. I'm just happy to get another bowl victory under my belt, happy to send these guys off right, so...

Q. Chad, this was the goal, to end on a high note like you are. Have your emotions kind of hit yet? Played your last game in that uniform.

CHAD MUMA: I don't think the emotions really hit yet. Feels like we have film on Monday, still rolling (smiling).

I still have that feeling, but I'm just happy to come out of here with such a great team win today, how everybody played, especially Levi and Trey, some of those other seniors like Garrett on defense. I thought all around everyone performed really well.

Q. How satisfying is it for you knowing the style you like to play to have your offensive line dominate the game the way they did? Was it super tempting to not go for that fourth-and-one, kick the field goal?

CRAIG BOHL: I thought about those questions that might come up, one or the other on the field goal. It was the right play. Obviously when you pick up the points, it turned it into a two-possession game.

The other part of the question was we have shown times where we're really, really explosive on offense. To be able to compose a game plan, the players buy in, then to get the yards that we did, generated a lot by the offensive line, is really heartwarming. A lot of those guys will be gone, but I think there's going to be a good heart and soul to return to give us a great foundation.

Q. The three three-and-outs earlier in the game, the offense took off after that. What was the biggest difference after that stretch?

CRAIG BOHL: I think during the course of that, they were able to figure out some things upstairs on how they were playing. We got thrown a little bit of a curve ball. Then I thought our players just did a great job adapting.

I thought we became the more physical team. In games like this, it's going to have a big impact.

Q. Levi, you obviously broke off some big runs. What is it like when you see that much open field on a single day?

LEVI WILLIAMS: It's awesome. Credit to the guys up front. I know we had a few where the tight ends were swiping. They did their job. One of them had to kind of get them going a little bit (laughter).

CRAIG BOHL: I was yelling and screaming to get him going, too (laughter).

LEVI WILLIAMS: Kudos to the guys up front. We had a really good game plan. Kent State played well, they just sucked in a little too far, gave me the opportunity to bust a few runs, so...

CRAIG BOHL: Kevin, thanks for everything you've done here. We appreciate this bowl game and all you've done for the last 15 years. We hope to be back. We always enjoy coming back to Boise. Thanks so much, everybody.