LARAMIE — “Cowboy tough” was the mind-set as the elements took their shot at Wyoming.
New Mexico needed snowplows and a police escort to trudge through a closed Interstate 80 corridor to face off in snowy Laramie. Right up to the coin flip, when the temperature was up to 15 degrees, crews were clearing the field of 7 inches of snow.
But Wyoming true freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels continued his hot streak and led the Cowboys (4-2, 2-0 Mountain West) to a 37-13 win over the winless Lobos. It is Wyoming’s third consecutive win with Carta-Samuels under center.
“I am feeling more confident, but the other 10 guys are starting to feel confident, so you are seeing me have more success,” Carta-Samuels said. “We are rolling now.”
Named the MWC offensive player of the week twice in as many weeks, Carta-Samuels was 15-of-30 passing for 232 yards and three touchdowns. He was not sacked and did not throw an interception. He also had 54 yards rushing.
“It is exciting to be 4-2 right now. We probably have exceeded a few expectations,” Wyoming coach Dave Christensen said. “I told these kids I would do everything in my power to help them win football games, so we are going to be aggressive.”
New Mexico (0-2, 0-6) struck first after Wyoming fumbled a punt snap deep in its territory. Lobos QB Donovan Porterie hit Ty Kirk on a 23-yard touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead. But Wyoming defensive end Mitch Unrein wrapped up the first quarter by tackling Lobos running back James Wright in the end zone for a safety.
New Mexico finished with just 47 yards rushing on 32 attempts, and Porterie, who was sacked five times, was 26-for-40 for 252 yards with two interceptions.
The Cowboys bolstered their 17-13 lead after linebacker Weston Johnson grabbed an interception at the Lobos’ 40. Carta-Samuels traded the turnover for a 28-yard TD pass to Zach Bolger to make it 23-13 with 4:05 left in the third quarter.
Wyoming backs Alvester Alexander (16 carries, 66 yards) and Brandon Stewart (13, 62) each got in the end zone — Alexander from 33 yards out and Stewart from 2. Stewart, who switched from wide receiver to tailback two weeks ago, also finished the scoring with a 54-yard reception with 3:44 to play.
