Week 11 Result: Utah Utes 20, Wyoming Cowboys 10
Player of the Game: RB Jeffrey Reynolds (UTAH) 34 att, 348 yards, 10.24ypc, 2 TDs
BOX SCORE
It was an auspicious beginning to the game for us, with Reynolds picking up a combined 26 yards on our first two rushing plays to start the game. We worked it to the Wyoming 27 but were stopped, pushed back 5 yards due to a penalty, and then had our 50-yard FG attempt blocked in what was to be the first of many kicking blunders. The Cowboys attempt two passes before QB Spruill walks off the field holding his wrist, handing the reigns over to Jones. We get it back and work it downfield largely through Reynolds, before he busts out a 53 yard TD run in true Reynolds style! 7-0 Utah with 6:20 remaining in the 1st. The Cowboys get it back and RB Hall busts free for a 54 yard run to get it to our own 26. They are forced to settle for the FG as our D tightens up, 7-3 with 2:56 remaining. We soon reply with a FG of our own at the end of the quarter to make it 10-3 entering the 2nd.
We get the ball after a 3-and-out by the Cowboys, and a 57 yard pass from James gets us the ball in good position. We aren't able to get to the endzone however, and shanks a 26 yard FG for our 2nd horrid kick of the day. The Cowboys are doing OK on the ground but can't connect on their passes so we get it back, work it to FG range, and Hernandez blows a 42 yard FG. He had missed 2 FGs all season prior to this game, and is now 0-3 just in this game with 7:28 left in the 2nd Q. We get the ball back shortly after and work it once again to FG range. Hernandez lines up for a 49 yard attempt but, surprise surprise, it's blocked. 0-4, and we enter the half up 10-3.
We trade possessions with the Cowboys to start the 3rd Q before putting together a nice drive on the ground that is broken when Nolan misses a block that leads to a blind-sided Reynolds fumbling the ball with 9:55 left in the quarter. Cowboys recover the fumble, work it in to our half of the field, but miss the 41 yard FG. We get the ball back and Reynolds busts out a 43 yard run to get us good position. We work it to the 6 yard line, before Medina fumbles a screen pass at the 3 yard line and we cough up possession. We pin the Cowboys back within our 10, and force them a 3 and out. Their punt is a poor one and puts us in FG range. We can't move the ball and finally convert a FG to make it 13-3 with 2:38 remaining, and our kicker is now 1/4 on FGs. Our special teams coverage is terrible however, as the Cowboys return our kickoff 86 yards to our own 4 yard line, and soon RB Hall is in the endzone for the Cowboys first TD to make it 13-10 Utah to begin the 4th.
We trade drives once again before Reynolds busts free for his 2nd 53-yard TD run of the game with 12:46 left in the quarter! 20-10 Utah. The Cowboys are looking heavily to pass but can't get anything going, and despite moving the ball well we need to settle for yet another FG... a 47 yarder that misses, of course. Cowboys still keep trying to work it through the air without success, and we get the ball back with a few minutes to go. Reynolds and Nolan share carries and pick us up enough 1st downs to allow us to QB kneel out the game for the win!
Our running game was just unstoppable tonight, with Reynolds picking up an incredible
348 yards on the ground - the 3rd highest total in FOFC-BBCF history, with the 2 higher totals both coming this season as well. Nolan, our 2nd RB, was also big for us with 72 yards off 10 carries, while OT Steele moves to #1 in the nation after picking up 4 KRB tonight.
Defensively we didn't do quite so well against Cowboys RB Hall who had 117 yards on 17 carries. He had two big rushes that pushed his numbers out, and both were due to defensive stuff-ups (a missed tackle and an OOP). ILB Ybarra wasn't the major run-stuffing force he usually is tonight, but the Cowboys threw the ball more than we expected. Losing their starting QB early, who was 0/2 at the time, probably helped things, but we defended the pass extremely well. His backup Jones ended up 11/24 and though we didn't get any interceptions we did a decent job of pressuring the quarterback and receivers.
Two big thumbs down to our special teams however. Hernandez was attrocious tonight, finishing 2/7 on FGs. To be fair, many were 45+ yards, but he shanked a 27 yarder and had two blocked. The weather was overcast, and certainly not extreme enough to account for these kicking results. We also gave up a big kick return that led to a TD, and I'm going to be taking a good look at our special team guys and making some changes.
It's a good win for us though, and keeps us in the chase for the conference title. All we need now is for Air Force to revert back to their inconsistent ways and drop the next 2 games!
Around the Mount West
New Mexico defeat Colorado St 24-6
BYU defeat TCU 24-13
San Diego St defeat UNLV 21-18
The Lobbos are easy victors over Colorado St, while BYU defeat the Horned Frogs and dash all hopes of a top finish for TCU, and the Aztecs get back to .500 in their quest for respectability.
Game of the Week Result: #7 Oklahoma 23, #1 Missouri 6
Well, the bookies got it right, and then some! Massive road win for the Sooners over top-ranked Missouri. The Tigers played the run well but got killed through the air instead, and couldn't find the endzone.