Rams dodge Cowboys’ bullet

Pretty, it was not. A CSU win, it was.

CSU overcame early mistakes and a scrappy Wyoming

offense to defeat the Cowboys, 44-36

Saturday afternoon.

With the win, the Rams improve to

5-2, 1-0 in the Mountain West. Wyoming falls to 1-5,

0-1.

For the Rams, their style of play continues to

ram home the point that a win is a win.

“It was what we were expecting, a hard-fought game,”

said Ram head coach Sonny Lubick. “I

was worried all week, but I am very pleased with the

victory.”

From the start, the game did not go as planned for

the Rams. Following a three-and-out on their first

offensive possession, CSU punter Joey Huber had his

kick blocked by Wyoming’s Tom Vincent. Fellow

Cowboy Leonard Jones recovered the ball in the end

zone to spot the Cowboys an early 7-0 lead.

The Ram offense responded, however, with an

impressive 13-play, 80-yard drive capped off by a

Cecil Sapp touchdown run on third and goal – the Rams’

third third-down conversion on the drive. Sapp

had another huge game for the Rams, rumbling for 152

yards and two scores.

The drive was the first hint of what would be a

record-setting half for the Rams. CSU set season

highs for first half yards (255) and points (23) en

route to a 23-17 halftime lead.

As easy as the Rams seemed to be moving the ball,

stopping the Cowboy offense was another

matter. Wyoming was able to hang with the Rams due to

impressive scoring marches of their own.

Quarterback Casey Bramlet completed four of five

passes on a 17-play, 80-yard drive capped off by Derek

Armah’s 4-yard touchdown run. Bramlet finished with

267 yards and two touchdowns for Wyoming.

In the second half, CSU looked to have the game in

hand when quarterback Bradlee Van Pelt

scampered 16 yards into the end zone to put the Rams

up 30-14. The Cowboys, however, were unfettered.

A 22-yard touchdown pass from Bramlet to Ryan McGuffey

capped another lengthy drive, this time 16

plays for 80 yards. The Cowboys then capitalized on a

quick Guy Tuell interception to score again and

bring the Cowboys even, 30-30.

But the CSU offense responded, putting together a

71-yard drive of its own. Sapp’s second

touchdown proved to be the game-winner.

“We didn’t play well enough to win, particularly on

defense,” said Wyoming head coach Vic

Koenning. “They made the plays and they moved the ball

when they had to.”

Later in the fourth quarter, Holland’s second

touchdown pass of the day to Matt Bartz added insurance

and put the Rams up 44-30. It would prove very

valuable as the Cowboys scored again with under two

minutes remaining to bring them within eight

points. Wyoming’s momentum was ended, however, when

Bartz recovered the ensuing on-side kick.

-Edited by Jon Ackerman