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
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