Wyoming would post 31 second-half points on their way to a 34-21 victory over Colorado State in Fort Collins on Friday night. Wyoming entered the game on a four-game losing skid but was able to get an effective ground game going as they rushed for 291 yards and held CSU to only 20 yards on the ground during the whole game.
After entering halftime with a 3-0, lead thanks to a Cooper Rothe field goal in the second quarter, Wyoming would produce a touchdown on the opening drive and then take advantage of turnovers caused by the Wyoming defense to jump out to a 24-0 lead before CSU would be able to score any points.
Sean Chambers received the starting nod from Head Coach Craig Bohl before the game and Chambers made the most of his first start as he gained 101 yards on the ground and completed 7 of his 10 passes for 116 yards and 2 touchdowns. Chambers would also have a rushing touchdown on the ground. This would be his first start for Wyoming and it would be his first time playing in the Border War.
Nico Evans would once again show why he is leading the conference in rushing has he used his 28 carries to gain 176 yards on the ground, including a 48 yard rush for his only rushing touchdown of the night. Evans would also be on the receiving end of one of Chambers touchdown passes. Tight end Tyree Mayfield would be the other Cowboy on the receiving end of a touchdown pass from Chambers.
Defensively Wyoming would force three turnovers. Cassh Maluia and Antonio Hull would each intercept CSU quarterback Collin Hill while Marcus Epps would force Hill to fumble while sacking him and Ravontae Holt would recover the ball. Logan Wilson would lead Wyoming with 12 total tackles and Wyoming would force two sacks against CSU but seemed to be in the face of the quarterback and in the backfield all game long.
Wyoming would keep CSU in negative rushing yards until the second half and then only allow 20 yards the whole game. Andrew Wingard said that this was a huge factor in his post-game press conference. He also attributed the turnovers helping with the victory.
The only consistent way to move the ball for CSU was through the air as Hill completed 34 of his 54 passes for 333 yards but would not be able to find a touchdown connection through the air. CSU linebacker Josh Watson would have a busy night as he was involved in 17 tackles throughout the game.
Wyoming gets their first conference victory of the year and remains in position to become bowl eligible if they can win the rest of their games this season.
Once the game was over Wyoming defensive linemen Sidney Malauulu grabbed the Bronze Boot and lead the team to the corner where Wyoming fans congregated. At this point, Brown and Gold dominated the emptying stadium and together the Wyoming fans and Football team would celebrate the victory together.
“That was awesome. Grabbing the boot and running over there,” said Wingard. “I am a senior now. I retire 3-1 and I retire a champion. It feels really good.”
Wyoming native and linebacker Logan Wilson is currently 3-0 against CSU.
“Being from Wyoming you grow up and hear about this rivalry all the time,” Wilson said following the game. “To play in it, for one and to win it three times in a row is very special.”
Both teams would be able to move the ball but would not get into the scoring range and the first quarter would end with neither team scoring.
Wyoming would be able to drive the ball down to the CSU 13 yard line. Cooper Rothe would make the 30-yard field goal giving Wyoming the 3-0 lead. Rothe would remain perfect on the year.
Wyoming and CSU would punt the ball back a forth for the rest of the quarter until CSU would get the ball up to the Wyoming 35 yard line with only a few seconds remaining. Wyatt Bryan would come on the field for CSU to attempt a 52-yard kick. Wyoming would take a timeout in an attempt to ice the kicker and it would prove successful as Bryan would miss the kick wide left.
Wyoming would enter halftime with a 3-0 lead.
Wyoming would start the second half with the ball. They would drive down the field 75 yards for a touchdown. Chambers would find Evans one a wheel route for a 14-yard touchdown pass. Wyoming would take a 10-0 lead.
Wyoming would force CSU to punt on their first drive of the second half. Wyoming would have to punt on their next drive.
Hill would drop back to pass and would be sacked from behind by Wyoming safety Marcus Epps and the ball would fly up in the air and defensive linemen Ravontae Holt would make a diving catch for the fumble recovery on the CSU 21 yard line.
Three plays laterChambers would take the ball off the left side for an 8-yard touchdown rush. Wyoming would take a 17-0 lead.
On the first play of the next CSU drive, Hill’s pass would be tipped and Cassh Maluia would come down with the interception. On the next play, Evans would find a whole and take the ball 48 yards for a touchdown shaking off a couple of would-be tacklers. Wyoming would now lead 24-0.
CSU would finally shake their offensive woes and find the end zone. Marvin Kinsey Jr. would cap off an 11-yard drive with a 15-yard touchdown run.
After three-quarters of play, Wyoming would enter the fourth quarter with a 24-7 lead. Wyoming would open the fourth quarter by driving down to the 28-yard line setting up a 45-yard field goal. Rothe would remain perfect on the year.
CSU would find the end zone once again thanks to Kinsey as he would rush the ball 10 yards for a touchdown.
Wyoming would respond with a touchdown of their own. CSU would be stacking the box to stop the run when Wyoming ran play action and Chambers would find tight end Tyree Mayfield for a 43-yard touchdown pass. Wyoming would lead 34-14.
CSU would respond one final time with a 12 play, 88-yard drive ending with a one-yard rush by Hill for a touchdown making it 34-21. Wyoming would punt the ball on their next drive but cornerback Antonio Hull would intercept Hill to help Wyoming clinch the 34-21 victory. Wyoming would run out the clock and secure their third straight Border War victory.
