2023ccg: Frenso State @ #1 Wyoming
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Coach Bohl's Wyoming squad was not a very kind host to the visitors from the valley. The Pokes continued to make it look relatively easy as they bagged the MWC championship by four touchdowns en route to a 13-0 (10-0) campaign. And a berth in the BCS National Championship game against #2 Pittsburgh. The Panthers knocked off #10-ranked NC State in the ACC championship game to prevent a rematch between #3-ranked Notre Dame and #1-ranked Wyoming.
It was the first meeting of Wyoming and Fresno State since 2019, when the Bulldogs upset the Pokes 44-41 in the MWC championship game. Revenge is a dish best served in the snow. Wyoming is now 3-2 in conference championship games under the tutelage of Coach Bohl.
Wyoming's opening drive came in fits and starts, with both HB Justin Lee (JR) and HB Kelvin Mack Jr. (SR) putting the ball on the ground. Luckily, Lee's fumble was overturned and Mack's was pounced on by right tackle Luther Paul (rSR). After the early sputtering, the Wyoming offense was unflappable and totally unstoppable. The Pokes made eight trips into the red zone and scored seven touchdowns with the eighth opportunity dashed on a kneel down to wind the clock to zero.
Although he fumbled his very first carry, Mack played a very solid game. The Heisman candidate carried 26 times for 127 yards (4.8 YPC) and three TDs. The effort was good enough to hang onto second place in the final Heisman voting, unable to catch Temple QB Mike Fowler (rSR). Mack's bodyguard FB Tyrone Ford (SR) even got in on some fun as he stuffed in two touchdowns from very close range.
Wyoming stud QB Darrin Green (rSR) was in the process of crafting one of the best games of his collegiate career when he was knocked out with a mild concussion in the 3rd quarter. Even though he barely played in over half of this game, he finished 17/19 (89%) for 169 yards and two TDs (198.9 QB rating) while rushing seven times for 84 yards (12.0 YPC). Zero turnovers. 97-OVR Green should be back to lead Wyoming into the national championship game, but 90-OVR Frankie Sanchez (rJR) provides the team with a fairly luxurious security blanket.
Fresno State played a very sloppy game and it was feast or famine the whole way through. A turnover-marred 1st quarter had the Bulldogs down 21-0 before the 2nd quarter came about. All told, Fresno coughed the ball up five times, four interceptions by QB Kevin Kent (rJR) and a fumble by the fullback Justin Pruitt (SR). Starting HB Trey Miller (rJR) left with an injury, so backup HB Jerome Breedlove (rSR) and Pruitt got ten carries to Miller's four. The Bulldogs were also without their top tight end--out with a broken arm--and top wide receiver, who left early on with an injury.
However, Fresno State was impressive when not shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers. In just under nine minutes of possession time in the entire game, the Dawgs put up nearly 450 yards. Kent picked at CB Woody Hale (rSR) most of the game, constantly throwing to the right side. Hale got him a couple of times with a pair of interceptions, but Kent won some battles as well. There was a 58-yard pass that set up Fresno State's first touchdown, a 51-yard completion a bit later, and roughly a half-dozen more to TE Jeff Dean (rSO) and WR Brent Carlton (rSR) that Hale got burned on in the snow. They must've seen the tape from the BYU game, because Fresno rarely challenged the other side of the field with CB Brandon King (rFR) over there.
This game was really the epitome of Wyoming's experience this season. A very comfortable win highlighted by a ruthless, machine-like offense (87% red zone, 84% 3rd down conversion, 4:1 T.O.P. edge, 300+ rushing yards, nearly 600 yards of total offense) and an opportunistic defense that can give up yards, but fewer points--one that makes plays and takes the ball away.
If Coach Bohl's team brings this same effort into the BCS National Championship game, it's hard to see Wyoming's season ending without a 14th win.
Coach Bohl hoists Mountain West Conference trophy #3
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Coach Bohl's Wyoming squad was not a very kind host to the visitors from the valley. The Pokes continued to make it look relatively easy as they bagged the MWC championship by four touchdowns en route to a 13-0 (10-0) campaign. And a berth in the BCS National Championship game against #2 Pittsburgh. The Panthers knocked off #10-ranked NC State in the ACC championship game to prevent a rematch between #3-ranked Notre Dame and #1-ranked Wyoming. It was the first meeting of Wyoming and Fresno State since 2019, when the Bulldogs upset the Pokes 44-41 in the MWC championship game. Revenge is a dish best served in the snow. Wyoming is now 3-2 in conference championship games under the tutelage of Coach Bohl.
Wyoming's opening drive came in fits and starts, with both HB Justin Lee (JR) and HB Kelvin Mack Jr. (SR) putting the ball on the ground. Luckily, Lee's fumble was overturned and Mack's was pounced on by right tackle Luther Paul (rSR). After the early sputtering, the Wyoming offense was unflappable and totally unstoppable. The Pokes made eight trips into the red zone and scored seven touchdowns with the eighth opportunity dashed on a kneel down to wind the clock to zero.
Although he fumbled his very first carry, Mack played a very solid game. The Heisman candidate carried 26 times for 127 yards (4.8 YPC) and three TDs. The effort was good enough to hang onto second place in the final Heisman voting, unable to catch Temple QB Mike Fowler (rSR). Mack's bodyguard FB Tyrone Ford (SR) even got in on some fun as he stuffed in two touchdowns from very close range.
Wyoming stud QB Darrin Green (rSR) was in the process of crafting one of the best games of his collegiate career when he was knocked out with a mild concussion in the 3rd quarter. Even though he barely played in over half of this game, he finished 17/19 (89%) for 169 yards and two TDs (198.9 QB rating) while rushing seven times for 84 yards (12.0 YPC). Zero turnovers. 97-OVR Green should be back to lead Wyoming into the national championship game, but 90-OVR Frankie Sanchez (rJR) provides the team with a fairly luxurious security blanket.Fresno State played a very sloppy game and it was feast or famine the whole way through. A turnover-marred 1st quarter had the Bulldogs down 21-0 before the 2nd quarter came about. All told, Fresno coughed the ball up five times, four interceptions by QB Kevin Kent (rJR) and a fumble by the fullback Justin Pruitt (SR). Starting HB Trey Miller (rJR) left with an injury, so backup HB Jerome Breedlove (rSR) and Pruitt got ten carries to Miller's four. The Bulldogs were also without their top tight end--out with a broken arm--and top wide receiver, who left early on with an injury.
However, Fresno State was impressive when not shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers. In just under nine minutes of possession time in the entire game, the Dawgs put up nearly 450 yards. Kent picked at CB Woody Hale (rSR) most of the game, constantly throwing to the right side. Hale got him a couple of times with a pair of interceptions, but Kent won some battles as well. There was a 58-yard pass that set up Fresno State's first touchdown, a 51-yard completion a bit later, and roughly a half-dozen more to TE Jeff Dean (rSO) and WR Brent Carlton (rSR) that Hale got burned on in the snow. They must've seen the tape from the BYU game, because Fresno rarely challenged the other side of the field with CB Brandon King (rFR) over there.This game was really the epitome of Wyoming's experience this season. A very comfortable win highlighted by a ruthless, machine-like offense (87% red zone, 84% 3rd down conversion, 4:1 T.O.P. edge, 300+ rushing yards, nearly 600 yards of total offense) and an opportunistic defense that can give up yards, but fewer points--one that makes plays and takes the ball away.
If Coach Bohl's team brings this same effort into the BCS National Championship game, it's hard to see Wyoming's season ending without a 14th win.
MIAMI, Fla. -- The storybook season had just the right ending according to Wyoming fans. With win #14, an undefeated national champion is crowned.
Gut check time #1 for Wyoming was when Pitt struck for an 18-yard fumble-six to take a 24-14 lead with 1:34 before halftime. Wyoming showed its mettle by responding with 24 consecutive points to take a reasonably comfortable 38-24 lead with 1:38 to play.
), and I'm looking forward to the fall to see more stuff from you WTNY!
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