Boot are for Cowboys

The Cowboys had traveled to play Eastern Michigan on Friday September 23.  The Cowboys fought hard, but came up just short of the win. They were now 2-2.

It was another amazing weekend for Cowboy football. This week marked the start of Mountain West conference play.

As the week began, the excitement started to build. The fans were ready for a great game. The Cowboys were ready to claim their first road win.  With only 65 miles between these two Universities and the longest continuously played rivalry west of the Mississippi it was sure to be a good game. This year marked the 108th meeting of these two teams, and the Cowboys hadn't won in three years. Who would win the Bronze Boot?

October 1, 2016, Wyoming @ Colorado State University, 8:15pm, Hughes Stadium, Fort Collins, Co. ESPNU

I had plans to meet my mom and brother at my grandparents house in northern Colorado. Saturday morning my mom and I headed towards the mountain to look at the changing trees. We really didn't have a plan. We found ourselves in Rist Canyon and headed towards Hosetooth Reservoir. As we entered back into Fort Collins, we drove by the stadium. There seemed to be no fan activity, but a very visible Wyoming Football truck.

We drove into downtown Fort Collins and found somewhere to eat. As we sat at a table outside, I observed everyone walking by. Many were wearing CSU colors, but a few wear proudly sporting the unique colors of the Brown and Gold. I had worn my 2015 Boarder War "Open Season" Shirt.

We returned to my grandparent house. I talked to some family members and spent the day with my cousin Kaycee. Later in the afternoon, I watched the last set of the volleyball game on my phone, quietly cheering as Utah State took the Cowgirls to 32 points in the 3rd set for a Cowgirl win.

At 8:15 I went inside to watch the football game. The Bronze Boot Boarder War rival game had begun.  As I began watching, you could really see some significant improvements. The offense was moving the ball and making big plays. They were able to complete some long passes, and open holes for the run games. However, the defense got off to a slow start. The 1st quarter ended with a score of Wyoming 3 CSU 14.

With a few amazing runs, Brian Hill and the offense ran the ball to the five yard line. Hill had broken the all time rushing record for the Cowboys, five games into his junior year. The Cowboys finished the drive with a hand-off to Wick for a five yard run into the end zone. Score. 10-14.

CSU received the ball on their 25 yards line. They went to run the ball. But wait. The ball was suddenly in the hands of #6, Wyoming's Marcus Epps. The Cowboys had the ball on the CSU 25. What came next was something no one, not even the CSU defense, expected. The ball was snapped. Allen handed off to Hill. Hill tossed it back to Austin Conway. Conway tossed it back to Allen. Allen looked down field. He threw the ball 40 yards to Tanner Gentry in the end zone. Touchdown!!! Score. 17-14.

The 2nd quarter ended with another big defensive play. The CSU quarterback was under pressure. He threw the ball, but it was quickly intercepted by Chase Appleby. With no one to stop him, Appleby ran all the way to the end zone. Yet another touchdown. Score. 24-14. CSU added a field goal and the game entered half time 24-17.

The second half began with a slow start. The end of the 3rd quarter came around. Allen thew the ball to Drew Van Maanen, the fullback, who ran 20 yards, into CSU territory.  The ball was then handed off to Hill. Finding a very small hole in the middle, Hill took off down field and was ran out of bounds at the 2 yard line. With a quick run play, Hill was in the end zone. Touchdown. Score. 31-17.

But the 3rd quarter wasn't over yet. The Cowboys were in position yet again. A few quick throw and run plays had the Cowboys positioned at the 18 yard line. Allen kept the ball, he ran to the end zone. Touchdown. Score. 38-17.

Midway through the 4th quarter the special teams had an amazing play. Ethan Wood kicked the ball. It looked like it was going to be a touch back. Nope. The Cowboys downed the ball at the 1 yard line.

With 30 seconds left in the game, the Wyoming Cowboys took off toward the end of the field in a dead sprint. What were they after you may wonder? Well, the Bronze Boot of course. The team gathered in the corner of the stadium, celebrating, Bronze Boot trophy lifted high in the air in the middle of the team.

The celebration continued as the team headed to sing Ragtime Cowboy Joe in front of the fans, with the Boot raised high in the air.

Final Score. Wyoming 38. Colorado State 17. Wyoming had beat CSU for the first time in three years. The Cowboys advanced to 3-2. The Boot was going back to Laramie where it belong, and it still sucked to be a CSU Ram. As Josh Allen said, "Boots are for Cowboys."


Until next time,
Ashley