LARAMIE — Wyoming waited for Ohio to wear down.
With 7,200 feet of elevation on their side, the Cowboys bided their time before Ohio wore out, just in time for Wyoming to rally for a 21-20 win in both teams’ first game.
“Being late in the game and being up at this altitude, I knew they were going to be worn out by the fourth quarter,” Cowboys center Tim Bond said. “We started doing our quick offense and basically I don’t think they could breathe. We were just more determined than they were.”
New Wyoming quarterback Dax Crum threw the game-winning 23-yard touchdown pass to Donate Morgan with 7:28 remaining. Morgan beat his defender on the deep route, called for the ball and Crum delivered.
Crum finished with 111 passing yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The Bobcats’ next possession ended in the hands of Cowboys safety Quincy Rogers, who Ohio quarterback Theo Scott tackled at the Wyoming 9-yard line.
The Bobcats had one last chance with one second left and appeared to be ready to attempt a 62-yard field goal. But an offside penalty forced them to instead try a Hail Mary, which was knocked down by Rogers, securing Wyoming’s narrow victory.
Mistakes plagued the Cowboys throughout the first half, with two interceptions and a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Bobcat Donte Harden leading to a 17-14 deficit at halftime.
“He was trying to do too much,” Wyoming coach Joe Glenn said of Crum’s first of back-to-back possessions ending in a tipped interception. “He tried to throw back across his body, and the only guy I know who can do that is John Elway. We aren’t John Elway yet.”
Ohio took a 20-14 lead with 13:40 left on Barrett Way’s 34-yard field goal.
Crum’s orchestration of the game-winning drive left Cowboys offensive coordinator Bob Cole with high hopes for his young quarterback, who transferred to Wyoming from Mesa (Ariz.) Community College.
“He has a lot of confidence in his ability,” Cole said. “You need that playing quarterback. He could have easily hung his head and let things go downhill.”
Ohio 7 10 0 3 — 20
Wyoming 7 7 0 7 — 21
First quarter: Ohio — Mooney 4 pass from Th. Scott (Way kick), 5:49. Wyo — Moore 6 run (Scott kick), 1:28.
Second quarter: Wyo — Salyards 3 pass from Crum (Scott kick), 9:05. Ohio — Harden 100 kickoff return (Way kick), 8:52. Ohio — FG Way 31, 4:31.
Fourth quarter: Ohio — FG Way 34, 13:40. Wyo — D. Morgan 23 pass from Crum (Scott kick), 7:28. A — 20,430.
Ohio Wyo
First downs 18 19
Rushes-yards 21-39 40-160
Passing 248 111
Comp-att-int 29-41-1 14-22-2
Return yards 40 13
Punts-avg. 2-47.0 4-28.5
Fumbles-lost 3-1 0-0
Penalties-yards 12-115 5-48
Time of poss. 28:56 31:04
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Ohio, Garrett 12-30, Davidson 2-6, Harden 1-5, Th. Scott 6-(minus 2). Wyoming, Moore 25-82, Seldon 8-39, Crum 3-14. C. Johnson 1-12, Bolling 2-7, Burkhalter 1-6.
PASSING — Ohio, Th. Scott 26-35-1-224, B. Jackson 3-4-0-24. Price 0-1-0-0, Team 0-1-0-0. Wyoming, Crum 14-22-2-111.
RECEIVING — Ohio, Price 14-139, Brazill 5-48, Mooney 3-10. Garrett 2-20, Dunlop 2-16, Carter 1-11, Peterson 1-8. Davidson 1-(minus 4). Wyoming, C. Johnson 4-37, Leonard 3-22. D. Morgan 2-29, Bolling 1-9, Moore 1-5, Seldon 1-4, Salyards 1-3. Biezuns 1-2.
