First fourth-quarter comebacks and now an overtime thriller.
Actually, Wyoming did both in its 35-28 double-overtime victory over Fresno State in the New Mexico Bowl Saturday.
It’s tough to start just where the keys of the game were because there were so many.
True freshman quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels and senior defensive lineman Mitch Unrein were the outstanding offensive and defensive players of the game. They are deserving, but there were so many other candidates.
–Alvester Alexander’s 137 rushing yards, including a 68-yard touchdown.
–Senior receiver Greg Bolling with a 21-yard TD and a two-point conversion catch.
–Junior receiver David Leonard with two TD catches.
–Sophomore linebacker Gabe Knapton who led UW with 11 tackles and had the hit on fourth-and-goal at the 1 on Fresno State junior running back Ryan Mathews.
–Sophmore punter Austin McCoy may not deserve MVP honors, but his throw to Leonard on fourth down on the game-tying drive was huge.
UW converted all four fourth downs, and three on that game-tying drive.
This was one heck of a college football game, and the officials at the New Mexico Bowl and ESPN literally couldn’t wipe the smiles off their faces as this was the first bowl game of the season. Those smiles may not leave any time soon.
And neither will the smiles from all the UW fans. There were close to 5,000 here, if not more. It was cool to see them rush the field after the game.
And, it was neat to see former guys with ties to the program here. Such as former assistant coach and player Mike Van Diest, who is the coach at Carroll College in Montana. Former assistant Tony Spencer was here.
Former players like Michael Ray, Kyle Howard, Kyle Jacobo were here. Even the governor of Wyoming was here.
In the grand scheme of things winning the New Mexico Bowl may not mean much. But it did for a football program, its players, coaches and its fans.
This was one of the best games I’ve ever covered in terms of the excitement, momentum changes and big plays.
See Sunday’s paper for more on the game.
Get to know UW senior Russ Arnold
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