FORT COLLINS — One final indignity remained for a Colorado State team that fell into an abyss following a 3-0 start, namely, Wyoming’s seniors storming CSU’s sideline at Hughes Stadium to hoist the Bronze Boot.
Two freshmen helped Wyoming to a 17-16 victory on Friday. Quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels ran for two touchdowns and led the Cowboys into position for Ian Watts, who kicked the 33-yard, game-winning field goal with 1:27 left.
“I am pretty much used to it by now,” said Watts, who won two earlier games for Wyoming.
Added Carta-Samuels: “After the last couple of (comebacks) we have been able to put together, you just get more confident.”
Wyoming finished 6-6 overall, 4-4 in the Mountain West Conference, and will likely represent the league in the New Mexico Bowl.
The Rams finished 3-9, 0-8, losing their final nine games and seemingly finding news ways to lose each week.
“They took away something that belonged to us,” CSU freshman defensive end C.J. James said of the traveling trophy the Rams have owned since 2007.
It was CSU’s first home loss to Wyoming since 1998, and capped a horrendous season of injuries, inconsistent play and an inability to hold a lead.
“I think it just sits over our head like a huge dark cloud and it’s going to motivate me,” CSU coach Steve Fairchild said of his dismal second season.
Always candid, and usually stoic in defeat, Fairchild appeared at the edge of getting emotional during his postgame comments.
“There are 16 very disappointed seniors in that locker room,” he said. “There’s not much you can say to those guys.”
With an announced crowd of 20,317 — including a boisterous Wyoming contingent — the Cowboys lingered on the field to take photos.
“That’s a (stinky record) but we know we’re not a (stinky) team,” CSU freshman running back Lou Greenwood said.
“Of course I’m angry, but they earned it,” said CSU fullback Zac Pauga, who jumped high for a 19-yard second quarter catch at the Wyoming 6. He set up the first of three Rams’ leads, but the tone was set when Ben DeLine’s extra-point attempt was blocked after Greenwood’s 8-yard scoring run.
“This is the best. I took a team that was not supposed to do anything and look what they’ve done,” said Wyoming coach Dave Christensen, a winner in his first Border War with a team predicted to finish last in the conference.
CSU played perhaps its most intense defense of the season, led by linebacker Mychal Sisson’s eight tackles and two sacks. The Cowboys had just 233 yards of offense, but Carta-Samuels converted key third downs on the visitor’s scoring drives.
His third-and-13 pass to tight end David Tooley gave the Cowboys new life on the CSU 49 on the second play of the fourth quarter. Carta-Samuels then stiff-armed CSU cornerback Nick Oppenneer and avoided another CSU defensive player en route to a 49-yard TD run and a 14-13 lead 35 seconds into the final period.
Wyoming’s other TD drive was set up in the second quarter by David Leonard’s 53-yard punt return to the CSU 19. The Cowboys seized a 7-6 lead on Carta-Samuels’ 6-yard scoring run and Watts’ extra point.
Carta-Samuels was sacked four times, two each by Sisson and James.
“If we played like that all year, it might have been different,” Sisson said of CSU’s pressure.
CSU, behind quarterback Jon Eastman’s first career start in place of an injured Grant Stucker, had sporadic success. The Rams were slapped with nine flags for 79 yards, including seven first-half penalties.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
