OCTOBER 28, 2024 |
Photo – Tyler King running for 54-yard touchdown – Courtesy gowyo.com
On the way to a heartbreaking loss, the Wyoming Cowboys kicked a 31-yard field goal to take a 25-24 lead Saturday night with just over two minutes left in the rivalry game with Utah State. The one-point lead did not hold.
Clock-mismanagement leading up to the two-minute warning approached. The result: The Aggies started their final drive with three-time outs and nearly two full minutes on the clock.
The Halloween finish began with Wyoming’s final score on a scary field goal.
The atmosphere in the War was electric. The Utes drove downfield to the Wyoming 22-yard line with a no-huddle offense. Tanner Cragun kicked a 40-yard field goal to seal the Bridger Battle win for the Utes and the traveling trophy that goes with it.
The Cowboys loss came despite a productive night of offense. The numbers stand out. Wyoming cranked out a season-high 470 yards. They scored only two touchdowns, which proved to be their undoing. Sam Scott ran for an 11-yard touchdown in the second quarter. In the fourth quarter, with Kaden Anderson at quarterback, Tyler King peeled off a 54-yard run for a score.
The Cowboys started the game with both Anderson and Evan Svoboda playing at quarterback. After Svoboda threw a costly pick at the end of the first half to squander a scoring opportunity, Anderson took over for the second half.
Wyoming dominated the third quarter. Anderson threw for 99 yards. The Cowboys picked up another 46 yards on the ground. Points were scarce, though. Cowboys only connected with two Hoyland field goals—a 27-yard and a 23-yard kicks– after the offense sputtered inside scoring distance.
Head Coach Jay Sawvel said connecting for only six points after the two failed drives in the third quarter cost the Cowboys the game.
Wyoming trailed 17-10 at the half and held Utah State to only nine yards in the third quarter while drawing within one point—17-16 at the 3:02 mark of the third quarter. On their drive at the end of the third and beginning the fourth quarter, Wyoming went four and out. The defense held Utah State, and on their next drive, the Cowboys scored on King’s 54-yard touchdown run for the Cowboy’s first and only lead on the way to the crushing loss.
The frustration is building in Laramie. At 1-and-7 overall, 1-and-3 in conference play, the Cowboys lost another game that was within their grasp.
The Cowboys are on the road this Saturday with a 2 p.m. kickoff against New Mexico.
Elsewhere the in the Mountain West, Fresno State dominated San Jose State.
Colorado State, Homecoming Game in Fort Collins, the Rams improved to 5-and-3. The Rams beat New Mexico 17-6. CSU has not been to a bowl game since 2017. They need one more win to be eligible.
Hawaii overpowered Nevada 34-14.
Washington State scored the final 15 points as the Cougars came back against San Diego State for a 29-26 win.
Number 17 Boise State beat UNLV 29-24. Maddux Madsen passed for 209 yards and a touchdown as Boise State is still in the running to make the College Football Playoff.
