Wyoming Raises the Bronze Boot in Border War Victory Over Colorado State

Cowboys become bowl-eligible in 24-15 win

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A late comeback attempt by the Colorado State Rams falls short as the Wyoming Cowboys win the Border War 24-15. Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl now has improved to 7-3 against the Rams.

The Cowboys were carried to the win by the team’s rushing attack, and heavy use of Harrison Waylee, who led the team with 140 yards from scrimmage.

The Highlights

Wyoming started the scoring early with a 30-yard John Hoyland field goal on their first drive of the game. Waylee added 21 yards on the ground to get the Pokes into field goal range.

A CSU drive with a 13-yard rush by Avery Morrow, a 14-yard reception by Dallin Holker and a 15-yard reception by Dylan Goffney ended with zero points. A 47-yard field goal attempt by Jordan Noyes left the Cowboys with the ball at their own 30-yard line.

The Pokes would score again to start the second quarter with a back shoulder 9-yard touchdown throw in the corner of the endzone to Gunner Gentry. This extended the lead to 10-0.

But by mid-second quarter, CSU would utilize Louis Brown IV for 42 yards including an 18-yard touchdown catch.

Following a Clayton Stewart 72-yard punt, Wyoming maintained a 10-7 lead heading to halftime.

Beginning the second half, the Cowboys ate up five and a half minutes to the CSU 35-yard-line through a rushing attack of Andrew Peasley, with 28 yards, and Waylee, 10 yards. Hoyland would attempt a 52-yard field goal but miss it, his second missed field goal of the game.

However, Wyoming would get the ball back after a Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi interception to Easton Gibbs. The Cowboys would respond with a six-play-drive capped off with an 11-yard touchdown to Ayir Asante. Pokes up 17-7.

Following another Fowler-Nicolosi pick, this time by Shae Suiaunoa, the Cowboys’ rushing attack could not be stopped as Sam Scott concluded the eight-play drive with a 6-yard touchdown.

CSU refused to quit down 17 points, and after a Peasley interception to Dom Jones, the Rams scored quickly with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Goffney, his second. Along with a two-point conversion by a Tory Horton pass to Fowler-Nicolosi, CSU only trailed 15-24.

But after a late Rams drive to the Wyoming 24-yard line, Fowler-Nicolosi fumbled the ball, and the Cowboys’ Tyce Westland ran it to the CSU 3-yard line.

Wyoming would burn 1:20 off the clock but failed to score. The Rams would attempt a last-minute miracle, similar to their victory over Boise State. But, after only traveling 45 yards, the Rams would turn it over on downs and allow Wyoming to raise the Bronze Boot for the third straight year.

Waylee became the star of the game, totaling 128 rushing yards and a 12-yard reception. Peasley would appear in big moments in drives as well rushing for 49 yards, several coming on third downs.

Despite the interception, Peasley would finish with a solid day’s work, throwing 15 completions on 22 attempts for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Asante and Gentry finish with the receiving touchdowns.

The Suiaunoa and Gibbs interceptions led the defense in a positive turnover battle. Gibbs recorded the only sack for the Pokes’ defense on the day.

For the Rams, Fowler-Nicolosi ended the day 24-for-42 with 220 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Horton remained fairly quiet, exiting the game for injury for moments in the game. He finished with 7 receptions for 58 yards. Brown would reel in 55 yards and a touchdown, and Goffney racked up 37 yards and a touchdown.

Up Next?

The bowl-eligible Cowboys will travel to Las Vegas to play UNLV in another late Friday battle at 7:45 p.m. PST.

The Colorado State Rams will host the San Diego State Aztecs Saturday with kickoff scheduled for 5 p.m. MST.

Story originally appeared on Mountain West Wire