SYRACUSE - With a chance to put up their first three-game winning streak in four years, the Syracuse Orange certainly don't need much motivation these days.

Just in case any of the players do need a jolt for Saturday afternoon's game against Wyoming (1-3), Cowboys tailback Devin Moore has obliged.

“I'm going to guarantee a win next week against Syracuse,” Moore said in the aftermath of last week's home loss to Air Force, the Cowboys' third straight setback. “We're going to win, that's the bottom line.”

Moore's comments caught some of his teammates off-guard.

“I was kind of surprised. It's a bold statement,” offensive tackle Chase Johnson said. “I don't know if that's a smart thing to say, to give somebody bulletin board material like that. But hopefully, we can back that up.”

“That's Devin, he's a spirited guy. He always barks a lot,” quarterback Jacob Doss added. “He was upset after the loss. That's just the way he is. But we love where his head's at, and we're going to go out and try to prove he's right.”

The Orange (2-2) didn't seem to be paying much attention to Moore, though they were aware of his rant, which came after he had committed a turnover that led to a touchdown in a game the Falcons eventually won 31-24 in a key Mountain West Division matchup.

“They're struggling right now. You'll say anything when you're struggling,” said Syracuse linebacker Kelvin Smith, who leads the Orange with 43 tackles.

Syracuse's swarming defense registered eight sacks in a 34-14 win a week ago over Miami of Ohio. That snapped the Orange's five-game losing streak in the Carrier Dome and boosted the season sack total to 19, just six fewer than all of 2005.

Wyoming coach Joe Glenn knows the antidote.

“We'd better figure it out and be smart about it,” Glenn said. “We know you have to play fast, play smart, recognize what they're doing.”

The Orange also are taking care of the ball. They have committed only two turnovers - one lost fumble and one interception, both by quarterback Perry Patterson.

“The offense's production is really helping our defense out,” defensive tackle Tony Jenkins said. “There's nothing worse than being on the sideline and then hearing that there's a turnover and we've got to run back out there. I knew from the beginning that all we needed was one win to spark everything.”

Wyoming has lost that feeling. After opening the season with a dominating 38-7 home victory over Utah State, the Cowboys have lost three consecutive close games - 13-12 at Virginia because of a botched extra point, 17-10 at home to current No. 22 Boise State, and Air Force.

“It always seems like there's just one play that makes us or breaks us,” Johnson said. “We just need to get over that one play and quit making the stupid mistakes.”

Notes: Wyoming leads the nation in pass defense, allowing only 101 yards per game through the air, and has allowed only 54 points, an average of 13.5 points.