Colorado State beats Wyoming 34-24 in Anti-Competition Games – Denver Post

FORT CALLINGS – The long wait is finally over. The bronze boot belongs to the state of Colorado.

CSU beat Wyoming 34-24, winning their first Border War since 2015 at Canvas Stadium on Thursday night. The Rams players rushed to the tour sideline postgame to retake the iconic traditional trophy. His outburst of emotion tied the signing victory for CSU head coach Steve Adazio in his second game of the program.

“The boot is in Fort Collins,” said Trey McBride, the last of the CSUs. “It’s very interesting to go there and get that boot – to hold it, to kiss it, to love it – to bring it back.”

Rams’ impressive first-quarter defense laid the groundwork.

Wyoming quarterback Levi Williams was stopped by Marshall Cameron from CSU’s defense on the second throw of the night – who ran it back 30 yards for a touchdown touchdown. On the next possession of the Kabo Boys, facing the third and longest, Williams was sacked from the Cameroon strip and the football was recovered by defensive copy Manny Jones. Rams’ offense was immediately capitalized on by McBride in the end zone with a 29-yard catch and run.

CSU led 14-0 after the first quarter, after a long-missed field goal.

“We talked all week about building turnover,” Cameron said. “The first thing on my mind was to get the ball back. I saw the opportunity and I took it. ”

The Rams made a change when they started the quarterback on Thursday, and senior Patrick O’Brien gave the go-ahead to first-year graduate transfer Todd Santio, who made his debut in the Rams in Fresno State. O’Brien, a former Nebraska transfer, has a big arm reputation.

He surrendered against the Cowboys. ਓ Brian passed 26 of 18 for 255 yards, two touchdowns and zero intersections.

“Patrick competed hard and did a good job,” Adazio said. “He was able to handle the game very well and he had some big shots. He had a good disease. ”

The CSU’s air strike greatly benefited the return of the widespread receiver Dante Wright, a freshman All-American who missed out on Fresno State’s losses due to quarantine protocol. On Thursday, Wright attended 10 receptions for 146 yards.

“Dante’s vertical speed was a big factor in the game,” Adazio said.

CSU’s lead increased to 17-0 in the second quarter with a chip shot field goal by kicker Robert Liss.

Suddenly, Wyoming’s guilt awoke from its slumber, captured by Touch-Dance, who was furious with the constant driving. The Rams counterattacked as O’Brien moved to the end zone in the middle of the second quarter to maintain a two-possession advantage at half-time, 24-14.

CSU’s defense faltered, but didn’t break in the third quarter as Woming reached the Rams’ 5-yard line after a 6-minute drive. However, the Cowboys finished third and settled for a regional goal. Then the crime of CSU did its part to widen this gap.

O’Brien threw McBride a 38-yard strike from the middle of the strike – a second touchdown to a senior tight end – to take a 31-17 lead. Wyoming added a touchdown on Williams’ running score in the fourth quarter, but it was too late, too late. O’Brien threw several big ones under the pull to knock the clock out and Lis joined the goal in the 48-yard field to secure a Rams win.

“I’ve felt the best energy ever since I came here,” O’Brien said of the postgame locker room ceremony. “The boot has been running from Fort Collins for a long time. This is really special to me. ”