As the Cowboys went to sleep Friday night, they knew they would be playing next weekend, but the location was still undetermined.
With a Boise loss, Wyoming would secure its position in the Mountain West Championship game.
Because both UW and SDSU loss, neither were in the national rankings, and the host site would be determined on a series of online databases. Sunday morning the decision was made.
The University of Wyoming would host the 2016 Mountain West Conference Football Championship.
This would not only be the first time UW would play in the Mountain West Conference Championship, but the first time they would play in a conference championship since their loss to BYU in the WAC in 1996. It was also the first time a championship game would be played at War Memorial Stadium since it opened in 1950.
It would also be the first time Wyoming would play a home football game in December since 1902. That's right. Nearly 114 years ago on December 13th, the Cowboys beat Cheyenne High School 18-0, ending their season 1-0. But man have times changed.
The Cowboys were picked to finish last in the Mountain division at media days over the summer. Now, the Cowboys were the Mountain Division Champions, and one of only 14 Division 1 FBS teams playing in a conference championship game. The Cowboys had receive multiple post season MW honors: one honorable mention, 3 second team players, 4 first team players, as well as Freshmen Player of the year, Logan Wilson, and MW Coach of the year, Coach Craig Bohl. Coach Bohl had led this team from a 2-10 record last season to 8-4 this season; the best turnaround in the nation.
December 3, 2016, Wyoming v. San Diego State University, 5:45pm, War Memorial Stadium, Laramie, Wy. ESPN.
Mountain West Championship!!
The Cowboys prepared to take on SDSU once again. The two teams had played exactly two weeks ago. The weather was nice and the Cowboys came out with the win. But now the beautiful Laradise weather was long gone. The temperature at 5:45pm kickoff was a high of 30 degrees and getting colder, with 16 mph winds.
The cheer team bundled up and took to the field.The stands were packed and the stadium covered in Wyoming gold and Mountain West purple. The entire lower half of the east stands were filled with students. Tonights attendance, 24,001!! The cameras were ready, the fans were excited. The game began.
After 7 hard fought minutes, the Cowboys were in field goal range. Cooper took the field. He kicked the ball. It flew through the cold dry air. It looked like to was good, but then it began to fall. The ball bounced on the uprights. And into the backfield. The kick was good!! Wyoming 3. San Diego 0. The Wyoming defense took the field. A sack on 1st down put SDSU at 2nd and 17. With continued pressure, the ball was tipped and intercepted my the Cowboys. The Cowboys took advantage with a throw from Allen to Hollister. Touchdown Cowboys!! Wyoming 10. San Diego 0.
The Aztecs would respond with a touchdown at the end of the first and a field goal at the beginning of the second. Wyoming 10, San Diego 10. The two teams would go back and forth for the rest of the half, ending the half tied at 10-10. The teams would return to the locker rooms, warm up, and prepare for the second half.
The two teams took the field once more. The Aztecs would score first with a touchdown. Wyoming 10. San Diego 17. And then again at the end of the third. Wyoming 10. San Diego 24. At the beginning of the fourth quarter, on a 3rd down play, the Aztec defense applied pressure. Allen dropped back. Moving across the field, Allen threw the ball. 46 yards down the field in the end zone, the ball was caught by Gentry. Touchdown Cowboys!! Wyoming 17. San Diego 24. The Aztec responded with a field goal making the score Wyoming 17 San Diego 27. The Cowboys would immediately respond. Again, under pressure, Allen threw the ball 35 yards to CJ Johnson, who then ran the ball the other 15 yards into the end zone. Touchdown Cowboys!! Wyoming 24. San Diego 27. After a back and forth battle in SDSU territory, the Cowboys, unable to convert to a first down, gave the ball back to San Diego. The Aztec took a knee and that was the ball game. Wyoming 24. San Diego 27.
After an amazing season, a freezing cold game, and one of the hardest fought battles of the season, the Cowboys had come up just short a MW conference title.
But with out a doubt in any Wyoming fans heart, this had been an amazing season. The Cowboys had proved everyone wrong. They had had the comeback season you can dream of. They had a winning season, beaten two ranked teams, qualified for a Bowl game, won the Mountain Division, and hosted the MW Conference Championship. What a spectacular season!!!
I can personally say, that I am proud to be a Cowboy!! I am proud of the fans, the coaches, and most importantly, those boys. They played with heart and determination this season. They believed in their coaches. And they played as a team.
And just like Coach Bohl said when he first arrived at UW three years ago, "Those who stay will be champions."
But the Cowboys aren't done yet. They are Bowl eligible. Selection would be made the following afternoon. And until then, we wait.
Until next time
Ashley
No comments:
Post a Comment