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.
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Based on last night’s game, I’m betting the Pokes get some TV time this coming season. The young guns out there made the big plays time and time again. I’m looking forward to seeing this one on ESPN Classic some day. Way to go, Cowboys!
I’m pretty disgusted with you Gags. All year you were generous with criticism of the Pokes and they go out and win and suddenly you have nice things to say about them. Throughout the season, only once (I think) even predict a win (against Weber State). Your columns always are more generous to the opposing team while those about the Pokes are negative. People, and not just in Wyoming, expect a journalist to be a “homer,” but you have made us something of a joke to opposing teams with your articles. Your friendship with Whittingham (if he calls it that) is well known. You should return to Kemmerer and write the Good Times News And Daily Worker where you can suck up to him. You are not objective with your work and it gets on my tits that you are paid for this load of cod’s wollop. To me, you appear to view yourself as a wine or theater critic, and feel obliged to say something critical. Go back to Kemmerer and take that goofy looking St Clair you.
I think this win bodes well for the upcoming years and I expect to see improvement. They’ve got a great base (and recruiting tool) with Samuels at QB. Next year should be interesting and I expect to see things improve quite a bit.
Way to go Cowboys!
Congrats to the Cowboys on a great game!
from a fan point of view, this game had it all. great defense when it counted most. great offense when it counted most. the next goal is to knock air force off of being the best of the rest. then on to being a force to be reckoned with against the big three. who knows what can happen in the next few years before coach dave is done.
Great game on a beautiful day. Great turnout by the UW fans. Sure was fun. Come back soon, Pokes.
@Frank: get a grip.
Frank I think you are taking Gags attempt at realistically looking at an opponents strengths and sharing them with the rest of your teams fans base a little out of context. I will agree with you on one point, St. Clair is goofy looking and needs to leave!