Utah State vs. Wyoming now deemed the ‘Bridger’s Battle’ and the teams will play for a rifle trophy (Photo)
There's a new rivalry trophy in college football. And it's a gun.
Utah State and Wyoming announced that the game between the two will now be known as the "Bridger's Battle." That's in reference to Jim Bridger, a multilingual western mountain man in the 1800s. He discovered the Great Salt Lake in 1849.
In honor of Bridger, the trophy will be a rifle, which, according to Utah State, is a "50 caliber Rocky Mountain Hawken rifle that was popular among mountain men and widely considered to be what Bridger carried."
Both universities were land-grant schools in 1862's Morrill Act, and they're also now conference mates after Utah State's move to the Mountain West Conference before the beginning of the season. The 64th meeting between the schools is Saturday.
It's an important game for each, even without the formation of the rivalry series. Utah State makes the Mountain West title game and will play Fresno State with a win, while Wyoming is 5-6 and becomes bowl eligible with a win.
Got any celebration tradition ideas for the winning team to start? Be creative. But remember, you shouldn't play with guns, even if you're a deliriously joyful football team.
- - - - - - -
is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
Follow @NickBromberg
