The Bronze Boot stays in Laramie as the Cowboys gain bowl eligibility with a big victory over the Colorado State University Rams during their 115th contest in Laramie last Friday night.
By Jeff Bugher
jeff@pokesnews.com
The Bronze Boot Stays in Laramie
Wyoming defeated Colorado State with a score of 24 to 15 in the 115th meeting at War Memorial Stadium last Friday night. The rivalry trophy “The Bronze Boot” stays in Laramie for another year, marking the third year in a row that the trophy has stayed in Laramie. The Border War means more than anything to the team and the fans, so it is certainly a great feeling to have another big win in front of a home crowd.
Largest Crowd since 2019: 27,905
Friday’s attendance was 27,905, the largest attendance at War Memorial Stadium since September 14th, 2019 when Wyoming faced off against the Idaho State Vandals of the FCS Big Sky Conference in a non-conference matchup following Wyoming’s big upset against Mizzou.
The Cowboys are now Bowl Eligible
Winning six games in a season makes a FBS team bowl-eligible, and Wyoming attained that with their victory over CSU on Friday night. Wyoming’s record is now 6-3 overall, with a 3-2 conference record, a 3-1 non-conference record, a 6-0 home record, and a 0-3 road record. Bowl bids are very complex, so even though Wyoming has attained bowl eligibility, a bowl game cannot be guaranteed with just 6 wins. To be essentially guaranteed a bowl bid, Wyoming must win 7 or more games this season.
Mountain West Standings – Wyoming’s MWC Championship Hopes still alive
Wyoming currently sits in the fifth spot in the Mountain West Conference standings, with Air Force, Fresno State, UNLV and Boise State sitting in spots 1-4. Boise has the same conference record as Wyoming, but the Pokes are ranked in the fifth spot via a tiebreaker (Boise beat Wyoming). Wyoming still has a possibility of playing in the MWC game, but there will need to be some stars aligning for that to become a reality. First and foremost, Wyoming will likely need to win all of the 3 remaining games which include UNLV this Friday night. If Wyoming can win out, they will have a 6-2 record conference record. The biggest threat to Wyoming’s MWC Championship dream is Fresno State. Fresno’s final 3 games are very winnable, which could give them a 7-1 record, putting Fresno matched against Air Force. With that said, if Fresno loses one game the rest of this season, they will tie with Wyoming, with Wyoming winning the tiebreaker due to their win against Fresno earlier this season. This is purely our observations and predictions. A lot of things can happen in the next 3 games.
Here are the remaining games for each of the top 5 MWC teams:
Air Force (5-0) - Next games: Hawaii, UNLV, Boise State
Fresno State (4-1) - Next games: San Jose State, New Mexico, San Diego State
UNLV (4-1) - Next games: Wyoming, Air Force, San Jose State
Boise State (3-2) - Next games: New Mexico, Utah State, Air Force
Wyoming (3-2) - Next games: UNLV, Hawaii, Nevada
MVP's
In No Particular Order....
Andrew Peasley (Quarterback)
- Passing: 15 completions on 22 attempts, 140 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception
- Rushing: 11 attempts, 49 yards
- Total yards: 189 (140 passing + 49 rushing)
- Peasley had a solid performance, completing a high percentage of his passes and contributing both in passing and rushing.
Shae Suiaunoa (Linebacker)
-Total tackles: 7 (3 solo, 4 assists
-Interceptions: 1
-Shae made a big impact throughout the game.
Easton "BEASTon" Gibbs (Linebacker)
- Total tackles: 7 (3 solo, 4 assists)
- Sacks: 1
- Tackles for loss: 1
- Interceptions: 1
- Pass breakups: 2
- Quarterback hits: 2
- Gibbs made significant contributions on the defensive side, including a sack, interception, and several pass breakups.
Wyett Ekeler (Defensive Back)
- Total tackles: 7 (7 solo)
- Ekeler had a strong defensive performance with all of his tackles being solo tackles, showcasing his ability to make key stops in the game.
Game Summary:
First Quarter:
The first quarter began with Wyoming kicking off to Colorado State after winning the toss and choosing to defer. John Hoyland kicked off from the Wyoming 35-yard line, sending the ball 65 yards for a touchback, resulting in Colorado State starting at their own 25-yard line.
On the first play, CSU quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi completed a pass to Tory Horton for 5 yards, advancing to the Colorado State 30. The following play saw Fowler-Nicolosi complete another pass to Horton for 5 more yards, gaining a first down at the Colorado State 35. However, a False Start penalty against Colorado State pushed them back 5 yards. Fowler-Nicolosi's subsequent pass to Justus Ross-Simmons fell incomplete. Vann Schield's rush up the middle gained 4 yards, setting up a 3rd and 11. Fowler-Nicolosi's pass up the middle was incomplete, intended for Dallin Holker, and Colorado State decided to punt. Paddy Turner's punt covered 45 yards, downed by Henry Blackburn at the Wyoming 21-yard line.
With 12 minutes and 35 seconds remaining, Wyoming took over at their own 21-yard line. Quarterback Andrew Peasley's pass to Wyatt Wieland gained 10 yards, securing a first down at the Wyoming 31. Transfer running back Harrison Waylee's rush up the middle gained 3 yards. Peasley's deep pass to Ayir Asante was incomplete. On 3rd and 7, Peasley scrambled to the left for a gain of 15 yards, earning another first down at the Wyoming 49. Waylee's subsequent rush up the middle gained 8 yards, advancing to the Colorado State 43. Waylee then rushed to the left for a gain of 10 more yards, setting up a first down at the Colorado State 33. However, a False Start penalty against Wyoming moved them back 5 yards. On 1st and 15, Peasley was sacked for a loss of 7 yards, bringing up a 2nd and 22 at the Colorado State 45. Peasley's pass to Sam Scott gained 11 yards, but a Roughing the Passer penalty against Colorado State resulted in a 1st down at the Colorado State 19. However, a penalty for Illegal Block in the Back against Wyoming nullified the play. On 1st and 20, Waylee's rush up the middle gained no yards. Peasley's pass intended for Treyton Welch was incomplete on 2nd down. On 3rd and 20, Peasley completed a pass to Alex Brown for 16 yards, bringing up a 4th and 4 at the Colorado State 13. John Hoyland's field goal attempt from 30 yards was good, and Wyoming took the lead with a score of 3-0.
Hoyland's kickoff from the Wyoming 35 resulted in a touchback, and Colorado State started their drive at their own 25-yard line with 6 minutes and 14 seconds on the clock. Fowler-Nicolosi completed a pass to Avery Morrow for a loss of 2 yards. Morrow's subsequent rush up the middle gained 13 yards, securing a first down at the Colorado State 36. Fowler-Nicolosi then completed passes to Dallin Holker and Dylan Goffney for gains of 14 and 15 yards, respectively, advancing to the Wyoming 35. However, a pass intended for Goffney fell incomplete, and Morrow's rush gained 5 yards. On 3rd and 5, Fowler-Nicolosi's pass intended for Tory Horton was incomplete. Jordan Noyes attempted a field goal from 47 yards, but it was wide left, resulting in no score for Colorado State.
With 3 minutes and 46 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Wyoming took over at their own 30-yard line. Peasley's pass to Harrison Waylee gained 12 yards, securing a first down at the Wyoming 42. Peasley then completed passes to Sam Scott and Waylee for gains of 5 and 5 yards, respectively, bringing up another first down at the Colorado State 48. Peasley's subsequent pass to Ayir Asante gained 20 yards, advancing to the Colorado State 28. Waylee's rush to the right lost 1 yard due to a tackle by Henry Blackburn. On 2nd and 11, Peasley scrambled to the left for a gain of 14 yards, resulting in another first down at the Colorado State 15 as the first quarter ended.
End of Quarter 1: Colorado State 0, Wyoming 3
Second Quarter:
The second quarter started with Wyoming in possession of the ball at the Colorado State 15-yard line. Harrison Waylee executed a rush to the left, gaining 6 yards before being brought down at the Colorado State 9. On the subsequent play, Andrew Peasley completed a pass to Gunner Gentry for 9 yards, resulting in a touchdown. John Hoyland's PAT kick was successful, extending Wyoming's lead to 10-0.
Hoyland's kickoff from the Wyoming 35 was returned by TJ Crandall for 15 yards, setting up Colorado State's drive at their own 25-yard line. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi's pass intended for Tory Horton fell incomplete, and Avery Morrow's rush to the left gained only 1 yard. On 3rd and 9, Fowler-Nicolosi's pass intended for Dallin Holker was broken up by Jordan Bertagnole, leading to a punt. Paddy Turner's punt covered 38 yards, going out of bounds at the Wyoming 36-yard line.
With 13 minutes and 35 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Wyoming started their drive at their own 36-yard line. Waylee's rush to the right gained 4 yards, followed by Peasley's completion to Alex Brown for 16 yards, securing a first down at the Colorado State 44. Peasley then scrambled to the right for a gain of 1 yard, but a holding penalty against Wyoming nullified the play, resulting in a 1st and 20 at the Wyoming 28. Sam Scott's rush up the middle gained 5 yards, followed by Peasley's scramble for an additional 5 yards. On 3rd and 10, Peasley was sacked for a loss of 11 yards, bringing up a 4th and 21 at the Wyoming 27. Clayton Stewart's punt covered an impressive 72 yards, downed by Wyatt Wieland at the Colorado State 11-yard line.
With 10 minutes and 25 seconds on the clock, Colorado State began their drive at their own 38-yard line. Vann Schield's rush up the middle gained 6 yards, and Fowler-Nicolosi completed a pass to Louis Brown IV for 9 yards, resulting in a first down at the Wyoming 47. Brown IV caught another pass for 15 yards, advancing to the Wyoming 32. Schield's subsequent rush to the right gained 5 yards, followed by a 7-yard gain up the middle. Schield's next rush gained 2 yards, setting up a 2nd and 8 at the Wyoming 18. Fowler-Nicolosi then completed a pass to Brown IV for 18 yards, resulting in a touchdown. Jordan Noyes' PAT kick was successful, bringing the score to 10-7 in favor of Wyoming.
Following the kickoff, Wyoming took over at their own 25-yard line with 7 minutes and 45 seconds remaining in the second quarter. Waylee's rush up the middle gained 13 yards, earning a first down at the Wyoming 38. However, a holding penalty against Wyoming moved them back 10 yards, resulting in a 1st and 20 at the Wyoming 28. Scott's rush up the middle gained 5 yards, followed by Peasley's scramble for another 5 yards. On 3rd and 10, Peasley was sacked for a loss of 11 yards, leading to a punt. Clayton Stewart's punt covered 52 yards, downed by Caleb Goodie at the Colorado State 21-yard line.
Colorado State began their drive with 4 minutes and 10 seconds remaining, starting at their own 11-yard line. Avery Morrow's rush up the middle gained 2 yards, followed by Fowler-Nicolosi's completion to Tory Horton for 9 yards, resulting in a first down at the Colorado State 22. Louis Brown IV's rush to the left gained 3 yards, and Fowler-Nicolosi's pass intended for Justus Ross-Simmons fell incomplete. On 3rd and 7, Fowler-Nicolosi completed a pass to Dylan Goffney for 6 yards, bringing up a 4th and 1 at the Colorado State 31. Paddy Turner's punt covered 46 yards, and Wyoming took over at their own 23-yard line with 1 minute and 38 seconds remaining in the half.
Waylee's rush to the left gained 1 yard, followed by another rush up the middle for 5 yards. With 49 seconds remaining, Wyoming called a timeout. On 3rd and 4, Peasley's pass intended for John Michael Gyllenborg was broken up by Dom Jones, leading to a punt. Clayton Stewart's punt covered 37 yards, and Dylan Goffney returned it for 3 yards to the Colorado State 37-yard line.
With 36 seconds remaining in the half, Colorado State took over at their own 37-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi's pass intended for Louis Brown IV fell incomplete, and Fowler-Nicolosi was subsequently sacked for a loss of 8 yards by Easton Gibbs as the clock ran down to end the first half.
End of Quarter 2: Colorado State 7, Wyoming 10
Third Quarter:
The third quarter commenced with Wyoming receiving the kickoff after halftime. Bryan Hansen kicked off for Colorado State, sending the ball 65 yards to the Wyoming end zone, resulting in a touchback. Wyoming's drive started at their own 25-yard line.
Harrison Waylee initiated the drive with a rush to the left, gaining 1 yard before being tackled by Tony Pierce Jr. On the next play, Waylee attempted a rush up the middle but was held at the line of scrimmage by Chase Wilson. Facing a 3rd and 9 situation, Andrew Peasley executed a brilliant scramble to the left, covering an impressive 20 yards and securing a first down for Wyoming. With the ball now at the Wyoming 46-yard line, Waylee's rush to the left gained another yard, setting up a 2nd and 9. Peasley then scrambled to the right, gaining 10 yards and earning another first down at the Colorado State 43. Waylee's rush up the middle added 8 more yards to the drive, placing the ball at the Colorado State 35. However, on 2nd and 2, Peasley was sacked by Chase Wilson for a loss of 2 yards. With a 3rd and 4 situation, Sam Scott attempted a rush to the right, gaining 2 yards before being stopped at the Colorado State 37. Wyoming opted for a field goal attempt, but John Hoyland's kick from 52 yards went wide right, resulting in no points.
Colorado State took over at their own 35-yard line with 9 minutes and 21 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Avery Morrow's rush up the middle gained 5 yards, followed by another attempt that resulted in no gain, thanks to solid defensive efforts by Jordan Bertagnole and DeVonne Harris. On 3rd and 5, Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi's pass intended for Dallin Holker was intercepted by Easton Gibbs at the Colorado State 40-yard line. Gibbs returned the ball for 2 yards before being tackled by Holker. Wyoming gained possession at the Colorado State 38-yard line.
With 8 minutes and 13 seconds on the clock, Waylee rushed up the middle, gaining 11 yards and securing a first down at the Colorado State 27. Peasley then attempted a deep pass to the left, which fell incomplete, followed by a short pass to the left to Wyatt Wieland for 5 yards. On 3rd and 5, Peasley completed a pass to Colin O'Brien for 6 yards, resulting in a first down at the Colorado State 16. Waylee's subsequent rush up the middle gained 5 yards, setting up a 2nd and 5. Peasley then completed a pass to Ayir Asante for 11 yards, resulting in a touchdown. John Hoyland's PAT kick was successful, extending Wyoming's lead to 17-7.
After the kickoff, Colorado State started their drive at their own 25-yard line with 5 minutes and 53 seconds remaining in the third quarter. Vann Schield's rush up the middle gained 1 yard before being tackled by Isaac White. On 2nd and 9, Fowler-Nicolosi completed a pass to Dallin Holker for 9 yards, resulting in a first down at the Colorado State 40. However, the drive was cut short as Fowler-Nicolosi's pass was intercepted by Shae Suiaunoa at the Wyoming 46-yard line. Suiaunoa returned the ball for 8 yards before being tackled by Justus Ross-Simmons.
Wyoming took over at the Colorado State 46-yard line with 4 minutes and 49 seconds remaining. Waylee's rush up the middle gained 5 yards, followed by another attempt that gained 2 yards. Facing a 3rd and 3 situation, Peasley completed a pass to Will Pelissier for 5 yards, resulting in a first down at the Colorado State 34. However, Peasley's subsequent pass intended for Pelissier fell incomplete. On 2nd and 10, Waylee rushed to the left for an impressive gain of 20 yards, securing another first down at the Colorado State 14. Peasley then completed a pass to John Michael Gyllenborg for 4 yards. On 2nd and 6, Peasley executed a QB Keeper rush to the left, gaining 4 yards before being tackled by Jack Howell. Facing a 3rd and 2 situation, Sam Scott rushed up the middle for 6 yards, resulting in a touchdown. John Hoyland's PAT kick was good, increasing Wyoming's lead to 24-7.
With 1 minute and 8 seconds remaining in the third quarter, Colorado State received the kickoff after the touchdown. The ball was kicked 65 yards by John Hoyland, resulting in a touchback.
Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi initiated Colorado State's drive with a pass to Dallin Holker for 10 yards, securing a first down at the Colorado State 35. On the subsequent play, Fowler-Nicolosi attempted a pass to the right, but it fell incomplete. He then completed a pass to Tory Horton for 7 yards, bringing up a 3rd and 3. Fowler-Nicolosi's next pass intended for Justus Ross-Simmons gained 2 yards, bringing up the end of the third quarter.
End of Quarter 3: Colorado State 7, Wyoming 24
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter started with Colorado State in possession of the ball, facing a 4th and 1 at the Wyoming 44-yard line. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi completed a pass to Justus Ross-Simmons for 9 yards, securing a first down at the Wyoming 47. Avery Morrow's subsequent rush up the middle gained 2 yards, but the following attempt to the left only gained 1 yard. Fowler-Nicolosi's pass to the left was incomplete, leading to a 4th and 7. Before the snap, Colorado State incurred a Delay of Game penalty, moving them back 5 yards. Facing a 4th and 12 at the Wyoming 49, Paddy Turner punted the ball 49 yards, resulting in a touchback.
Wyoming took over at their own 20-yard line with 13 minutes and 11 seconds on the clock. Harrison Waylee's rush to the left resulted in a loss of 2 yards. On the ensuing play, Andrew Peasley's deep pass to the right was intercepted by Dom Jones at the Wyoming 38-yard line, intended for Ayir Asante. Jones returned the ball for no gain, ending the play.
With 12 minutes and 29 seconds remaining, Colorado State began their drive at the Wyoming 38-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi's deep pass to the left was incomplete, intended for Justus Ross-Simmons. However, Wyoming was penalized for Pass Interference, resulting in a 15-yard gain and an automatic first down at the Wyoming 23-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi then completed a short pass to Dylan Goffney for 7 yards. Vann Schield's rush up the middle gained 7 more yards, earning a first down at the Wyoming 9-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi followed up with a 9-yard pass to Dylan Goffney, resulting in a touchdown for Colorado State. Tory Horton's two-point conversion pass attempt to Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi was successful, bringing the score to Colorado State 15, Wyoming 24, with 11 minutes and 7 seconds on the clock.
Bryan Hansen's kickoff from the Colorado State 35 resulted in a fair catch by Wyatt Wieland at the Wyoming 9-yard line.
Wyoming started their drive with 11 minutes and 7 seconds on the clock at their own 25-yard line. Harrison Waylee rushed up the middle for a gain of 3 yards. On 2nd down, he rushed to the right for a gain of 8 yards, securing a first down at the Wyoming 36-yard line. Waylee's subsequent rush up the middle gained 4 yards, bringing the ball to the Wyoming 40. However, his next attempt to the left resulted in no gain. Peasley's pass to the left was completed to Sam Scott for 5 yards, setting up a 4th and 1 at the Wyoming 45-yard line. Clayton Stewart punted the ball 42 yards to the Colorado State 13-yard line, where Tory Horton made a fair catch.
With 7 minutes and 24 seconds on the clock, Colorado State began their drive at their own 13-yard line. Avery Morrow's rush up the middle gained 4 yards, but the following pass attempt was incomplete. Fowler-Nicolosi then completed a pass to Tory Horton for 8 yards, resulting in a first down at the Colorado State 25-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi's subsequent pass attempt to Avery Morrow fell incomplete. However, a Pass Interference penalty against Wyoming resulted in a 10-yard gain and another first down at the Colorado State 35-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi completed a short pass to Louis Brown IV for 7 yards, setting up a 3rd and 3 at the Colorado State 42-yard line. Avery Morrow's rush up the middle gained 5 yards and another first down at the Colorado State 39-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi then completed a pass to Tory Horton for 15 yards, earning a first down at the Wyoming 46-yard line. Morrow's subsequent rush up the middle gained 1 yard, and Fowler-Nicolosi's deep pass intended for Tory Horton fell incomplete. Fowler-Nicolosi completed a short pass to Louis Brown IV for 6 yards, bringing up a 4th and 3 at the Wyoming 39-yard line. However, a Pass Interference penalty against Wyoming resulted in a first down at the Wyoming 24-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi's rush up the middle resulted in a loss of 12 yards, and he fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Tyce Westland at the Wyoming 36-yard line. Westland returned the ball 61 yards to the Colorado State 3-yard line, where Justus Ross-Simmons made the tackle.
With 3 minutes and 24 seconds remaining, Wyoming started their drive at the Colorado State 3-yard line. Waylee's rush to the left gained 2 yards, bringing up a 2nd and goal at the Colorado State 1. Peasley's rush up the middle resulted in no gain. On 3rd and goal, Peasley's pass to the left intended for Treyton Welch fell incomplete. Facing a 4th and goal at the Colorado State 1-yard line, Waylee rushed to the left for a loss of 1 yard, resulting in a turnover on downs.
Colorado State took over at their own 2-yard line with 2 minutes and 4 seconds on the clock. Fowler-Nicolosi's pass to Dallin Holker fell incomplete, followed by an incomplete pass intended for Tory Horton. However, a Pass Interference penalty against Wyoming resulted in a first down at the Colorado State 12-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi completed a pass to Justus Ross-Simmons for 26 yards, earning a first down at the Colorado State 38-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi's next pass intended for Dallin Holker fell incomplete, as did his pass intended for Tory Horton. Fowler-Nicolosi then completed a short pass to Louis Brown IV for 7 yards. With 59 seconds remaining, Colorado State called a timeout, facing a 4th and 3 at the Wyoming 45-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi's pass to Vann Schield was complete for 2 yards, but it was not enough for a first down. Wyoming took over on downs at their own 47-yard line with 55 seconds on the clock.
Waylee's rush to the left resulted in a loss of 1 yard, and Colorado State called a timeout with 51 seconds remaining. Waylee's subsequent rush to the left gained 13 yards, securing a first down at the Colorado State 35-yard line. Peasley then kneeled down in victory formation, but Wyoming was penalized for unsportsmanlike Conduct, moving them back 15 yards to the Wyoming 49. Another unsportsmanlike Conduct penalty was assessed, moving the ball further back to the Wyoming 34-yard line. The clock ran out, and the game ended with the score Colorado State 15, Wyoming 24.
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