If you have a heart condition, this Wyoming football team isn’t good for your health.
The Cowboys beat Border War rival Colorado State 17-16 on a 33-yard field goal by true freshman Ian Watts with 1:27 to play.
That was just one of several pivotal plays, which included two TD runs by true freshman quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels of 6 and 49 yards.
The 49-yarder came on the second play of the fourth quarter, and included a heck of a stiff-arm by Carta-Samuels on CSU senior cornerback Nick Oppenneer.
“That’s something you play around with in high school and you’re able to push little kids on the ground,” he said. “College is a little different deal. First off I wasn’t fast enough to beat that guy to the end zone so I had to throw something back there and try and spring myself a little bit. Thank God he was wearing a visor or I wouldn’t have (scored).”
Tons of key and big plays in this game, especially in the fourth quarter.
David Tooley’s 23-yard catch set up Carta-Samuels’ 49-yard TD run. Only bad thing is Tooley tore ligaments in his left knee and is out for UW’s bowl game.
After converting a third and fourth down on the game-winning drive, sophomore running back Brandon Stewart’s 20-yard run and true freshman Alvester Alexander’s 8-yard scamper set up Watts for the game-winner.
Watts felt a little uneasy before the field goal. He bumped into the official taking his steps prior to the kick, and said he felt a little rushed when he heard the whistle blow to start the play.
But in the end, he made it — his third game-winning field goal of the season.
“Ian’s ice,” Carta-Samuels said.
How about true freshman Ghaali Muhammad and the game-clinching interception in the final seconds? That was his second big play of the season. He scored on a blocked punt against Texas. I really like the looks and future of that guy.
But the best part of the game was seeing the celebration and reaction of the UW players, coaches and fans after the game. Especially for the seniors.
“It makes all the work and time we put in worth it to experience this,” senior defensive lineman John Fletcher said.
Fletcher’s blocked extra point after CSU’s first touchdown proved to be the winning margin in the game.
Fitting.
UW will have to wait about a week to find out where it goes to a bowl game. The regular season ends next week. I’m thinking the New Mexico and Humanitarian bowls are the best bets, with the Armed Forces also an option.
See Saturday’s paper for more on this game, along with men’s basketball coverage against Monmouth in the World Vision Challenge in Laramie.
Loading ...