October 9, 2024 |
Photo – Wyoming Cowboys logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
The San Diego State Aztecs have not played inside War Memorial Stadium since Barak Obama was in the White House. Like now, it was an Election Year, 2016. The Aztecs were riding a 17-game winning streak against Mountain West teams.
The game played out with a spectacular season finish for Wyoming. Under the lights inside War Memorial Stadium, the Cowboys knocked off Number-24 ranked San Diego State to end the regular season a perfect 6-0 at home.
Wyoming took the lead 34-27 with 1:07 remaining in the fourth quarter on 29-yard touchdown pass from redshirt sophomore quarterback Josh Allen to redshirt freshman receiver C.J. Johnson. The Pokes drove downfield 85 yards on 15 plays to take the seven-point lead.
It was edge of the seat the rest of the way. San Diego State was 6-0. Wyoming was 5-1. Rocky Long versus his student, Craih Bohl.
After the kickoff, the Aztecs got the ball on their one-yard line with a 1:07 remaining on the clock. San Diego State had three time outs. Quarterback Christian Chapman was forced to use all three time outs on the drive.
The Aztecs drove down the field and scored with one second left on the clock in a play that required a lengthy review in the replay booth to decide if a touchdown had been scored. The drama was incredible during the lengthy review.
When the teams met again in Laramie on December 3rd for the Mountain West Conference Championship, San Diego State won by a field goal 27-24.
Wyoming lost in San Diego in 2019 26-22.
The rivalry renews this Saturday. Wyoming quarterback Evan Svboda, coming off the 31-19 win over Air Force win where he led a balanced attack, will be looking for his second win of the season against the 2-3 Aztecs.
Kickoff is set for 1:30 inside the War.
