Morning Sports: August 2, 2024

University of Wyoming Football: The University of Wyoming Cowboy Football team kicks off the 2024 season 4 weeks from tomorrow at Arizona State.

The Pokes return 4 starters on offense and 8 on defense.

Head Coach Jay Sawvel says he has been pleased so far and it looks like players took the off season weight room and training sessions the right way, and while there may have been some downtime here and there, between spring ball and now, the returning players have shown very little rust if any.

UW’s first home game is on Saturday, September 7th vs. Idaho.

Former Denver Bronco To Be Inducted Into NFL Hall Of Fame: The NFL pre-season officially started yesterday as the Chicago Bears defeated the Houston Texans 21-17 in the Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio.

The game was called in the 3rd quarter due to lightning and heavy rain.

Tomorrow, the NFL Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be inducted, and among the inductees is former Denver Bronco, Randy Gradishar, who was a part of the Orange Crush defense in the 1970’s and early 80’s.

Gradishar spent his entire 10-year career with the Broncos, and along the way he was named to the Pro Bowl 7 times, and earned 2 first team all-pro selections.

When he retired in 1983, he was the teams’ all-time leading tackler with 2,049, which included 19 ½ sacks, 20 interceptions, 13 fumble recoveries and 4 defensive touchdowns.

Gradishar was named the Defensive Player of the Year in 1978 and played in Super Bowl 12, which was the first time that the Broncos played in the big game.

As for this year’s Denver Bronco’s team, the first exhibition game is one week from Sunday at Indianapolis.

Sheridan Troopers Legion Baseball: The season for the Sheridan Troopers ended sooner than what players were hoping for.

The team finished with a record of 36-28 and for the second year in a row they were knocked out on the 3rd day of the state tournament.

Head Coach Austin Cowen says overall he’s pleased with the season, as well as the seasons for the Jets and Cavalry.

The main thing that needs to be worked on is that the bats need to show up a lot more often in big games and Cowen adds the players are going to get over that hump soon.

Yesterday at the AA State Tournament in Casper, Gillette eliminated Laramie 13-1, and Cheyenne Post 6 eliminated the Cheyenne Hawks 10-2.

Today is the State Championship game, between Gillette and Cheyenne Post 6 starting at 11am.

Since it is double-elimination, Gillette has to win twice, whereas Cheyenne only has to win 1 time.

Colorado Rockies Baseball: The Colorado Rockies won the rubber game last night 5-4 in 10 innings at the LA Angels.

Michael Toglia hit a 2-run home run in the 2nd inning, but it was Jake Cave’s 2-run shot in the top of the 9th that forced extra innings.

Sam Hilliard’s sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th scored the eventual winning run.

Today the Rocks start a 3-game series at San Diego.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:40pm.

Tomorrow’s game starts at 6:40pm and Sunday’s game starts at 2:10pm.