Colorado State drops Border War
LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) Brett Smith passed for four touchdowns and ran for another in leading Wyoming past Colorado State 45-31 Saturday.
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Wyoming (2-7, 1-4 Mountain West) snapped a four-game losing streak and won its fourth straight over the Rams (2-7, 1-4). It is the Cowboys' longest win streak in the more than 100-game series between the two schools since they won seven in a row from 1967-73.
The game also marked the return of Wyoming coach Dave Christensen, who was suspended for the previous game against Boise State because of his conduct after a loss to Air Force on Oct. 13 when he berated Falcons coach Troy Calhoun.
Smith completed 18 of 31 passes for 228 yards. He had TD passes of 26 yards to Chris McNeill, 16 yards to Brandon Miller, 9 yards to Robert Herron and 3 yards to Dominic Rufran.
His scoring passes to McNeill and Miller occurred in the first quarter that saw the Cowboys jump out to a 21-7 lead. Defensive back Blair Burns returned an interception 99 yards -- second longest in school history -- for Wyoming's other score in the quarter. The Rams never seriously challenged after falling behind 42-17 after the third quarter despite gaining 512 yards in total offense.
The Cowboys defense picked off two CSU passes and forced another turnover on a fumble.
Shaun Wick contributed 98 yards rushing on 25 carries, while Brandon Miller added 89 yards on 18 rushes. The Cowboys finished with 468 yards total offense and no turnovers.
Colorado State was led by Donnell Alexander, who rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown, and Connor Smith, who completed 13 of 23 passes for 326 yards and two touchdowns. Smith's scoring passes covered 75 yards to Thomas Coffman and 36 yards to Kivon Cartwright.
The TD pass to Coffman was the longest offensive play by CSU since 2008.
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