It would be a battle of the best defense vs the best offense in the Mountain West. The opposing team, ranked 24, was looking for their 21st consecutive conference win, and the Cowboys were looking to break that. While everything was on the line for the Cowboys, the opposing team had already secured their spot at the top of the West division. In addition, this was Wyoming's last regular season home game and senior day. What a better way to send off the seniors than with a big win. But it would be a tough game, and the Cowboys were ready.
November 19, 2016, Wyoming v. San Diego State University, 1:30pm, War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wy. CBSSN.
Pregame this weekend would include a farewell to the seniors. These boys had stuck it out through a major coaching change while many others had left. They had worked so hard, helping to turn this program around while leading this team to seven victories this season.
The game was set to begin. San Diego would receive the ball. Wyoming was unable to stop the returner. First play of the game. Touchdown San Diego. 7-0. The Cowboys quickly responded, moving the ball down the field, scoring a field goal. 7-3. But that would be all for the first quarter.
As the Cowboys continued to move the ball at the beginning of the second quarter, Allen threw an interception, placing the Aztecs on the 13 yard line. The Wyoming defense would hold the Aztecs, resulting in a field goal. 10-3. The Cowboys would respond, moving down the field, finishing with a touchdown from Brian Hill to tie the game. 10-10. But with 9 seconds left in the half, San Diego would throw a touch down pass. 17-10. Half time.
The team would return to the field to play the second half. Wyoming would receive the field goal. Eager to tie the game, the Cowboys quickly made their way down the field, scoring another touchdown. 17-17. But it quickly seemed like the first half was repeating itself. San Diego would receive the kick, running it all the way down the field for a punt return. 24-17. After a little back and forth, with 5:10 left in the third quarter, San Diego fumbled the ball. Wyoming recovered! The Cowboys would aim for a touchdown, but instead end with a field goal. 24-20.
The third quarter would come to an end. With 15 minutes left to play, it was all or nothing. And both teams gave it their all. San Diego would score a field goal. Aztec's up 27-20. The Cowboys would respond with some amazing long passes, ending in a touchdown pass to Maulhardt. All tied up. 27-27. The Wyoming defense would hold the Aztecs and the offense would once again take possession. With just over a minute left in the game, in an attempt to win, Josh Allen would throw the ball 40 yards. C.J. Johnson would be in the end zone, ready for the catch. It was good. Wyoming was up 27-34.
With just one minute left, all the Wyoming defense would have to do was hold the Aztecs. San Diego would receive the ball, catching it at the end zone and running to the 20 yard line. But wait. The officials called the play under review. As the stadium awaited the call, the players got the fans excited and the entire stadium began chanting W-Y-O!! When the review came back, the returner was down at the 1 yard line. The ball would move back. SDSU would move the ball 27 yards in 9 seconds and Wyoming would follow with a sack on the next play. San Diego time out followed by a San Diego first down. 0:45 left in the game. Incomplete pass. 0:40. Throw to the 34 yard line with 0:29 left. Short run. Aztec timeout. 0:23. Short run. 0:16. San Diego timeout. SDSU first down on the 22 yard line with 0:09 left in the game. Play Clock malfunction. New time 0:08. Pass to the end zone. Incomplete. 0:01 seconds left in the game. San Diego with one last play and a hail mary throw to the end zone.
The stadium was going wild. Wyoming to call a timeout. The band playing the fight song. The fans clapping along. Chanting of W-Y-O!! The teams would take the field. Wyoming timeout. The team took the field once again. San Diego's QB to throw. 4 Aztecs and 5 Cowboys. The ball was in the air. It could be anyone's ball. The ball bounced around a few times. And..... Incomplete. 0:00
The cannon went off. The Cowboys had won the game. The team was quickly surrounded by fans rushing the field. The fans began celebrating. But behind all the celebrating was the official announcing the previous play of an incomplete pass was under review. The next thing we knew, everyone was being pushed off the field. The announcer asking for everyone to clear the field and return to their seats. Within all the chaos on the field, you couldn't hear this, and the players began spreading the word of an official review. The fans, cheerleaders, media, and team were pushed up between the stands and the edge of the field. Some of the fans returned to their seats. The cheer team went back to the opposite corner of the field.The play was still under review. The fans began chanting "Powder River, Let Er' Buck!!" San Diego players had begun celebrating on their sideline. No official call yet. The announcer was still telling fans to return to their seats.
The official took the field. The Aztec player maintained possession of the ball. The original call was overturned and the play was ruled a touch down. 33-34. 0:00 left on the clock. San Diego still had one more play. They would go for a 2 point conversion to win the game. With the announcer still requesting people return to their seats and fans still on the side of the field, the teams took the field for one last play. San Diego to throw the ball. But here comes Antonio Hull. He swats the ball out of the air. INCOMPLETE. Final. San Diego 33. Wyoming 34.
The Cowboys had won. For real this time. And for the second time that night, Wyoming rushed the field and celebrated. And for the second time this season, the Cowboys had beaten a ranked team.
The Cowboys would finish the regular season 8-3 overall, 6-1 in MW, and 6-0 at home. They would remain at the top of the Mountain division. With this win, Wyoming would knock SDSU out of the rankings and a chance at a New Years 6 Bowl. The Cowboys would also be ranked 35th in the nation.
One more win and the Cowboys would secure their spot at the top of the Mountain Division and a place in MW championship game. It would all come down to next week.
Until next time
Ashley
