What a win for the Wyoming Cowboys this past weekend. With their win over San Diego State they have now beaten two top 25 opponents in the same season. The Cowboys used a 15 play, 85 yard drive that took 6:14 off the clock to come back and take the lead on San Diego State. San Diego State responded with a 11 play, 99 yard drive in 1:07 to go in for the potential tying score on a crazy last second hail mary in the end zone caught by Quest Truxton on a batted ball. Rocky Long opted to go for two for the win and had a pass swatted by Wyoming defensive back Antonio Hull.
The Mountain West was full of other close games this weekend with slightly less impact to the conference standings. Nevada survived Utah State by scoring two touchdowns in the last 7:19 of the game to come back and beat the Aggies. Ty Gangi ran in a touchdown from six yards out with :05 left on the clock for the win.
Hawaii beat Fresno State on the mainland in another one point game. For Nick Rolovich that meant getting the Golden Screwdriver trophy. Hawaii took the lead with :59 left on the clock when Steven Lakalaka ran to the endzone from two yards out to seal it for the Warriors.
Kurt Palandech put on another show this weekend, but to a smaller extent. He threw for 113 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 64 yards and two scores in a losing effort vs Boise State. Palandech was coming off of a record performance versus Wyoming last week. He just might have a bright future in Las Vegas.
Heading into the final week of the Mountain West regular season we know that San Diego State will represent the West division in the championship game. What we don’t know is who will be representing the Mountain division. Wyoming controls its own destiny for their spot in the game. If they beat New Mexico they are in. Boise State needs a Wyoming loss, as well as their own win vs Air Force to get in. New Mexico, with their loss to Colorado State is not eligible for the title game. If Wyoming can beat New Mexico on Saturday night they will likely host the title game. If Wyoming loses and Boise State wins, San Diego State would be the hosts. The Aztecs would also host if Wyoming and Boise State lose.
Confusing enough? Onto the rest of this..
Scores
UNLV 25
Boise State 42
San Diego State 33
Wyoming 34
Utah State 37
Nevada 38
Hawaii 14
Fresno State 13
New Mexico 31
Colorado State 49
Air Force 41
San Jose State 38
Mountain West Player of the Week
Boise State running back Jeremy McNichols is this week’s Mountain West player of the week. McNichols had 206 yards on 31 carries and four touchdowns as Boise State beat UNLV on Friday night.
Mountain West MVP Candidates
Donnel Pumphrey, RB, San Diego State. 17 carries, 76 yards. 5 receptions, 52 yards.
Brian Hill, RB, Wyoming. 31 carries, 131 yards, 2 touchdowns.
Brett Rypien, QB, Boise State. 10/20, 109 yards. 4 rushes, 5 yards, one touchdown.
Mountain West Power Rankings
1. Wyoming
2. San Diego State
3. Boise State
4. Colorado State
5. New Mexico
6. Air Force
7. Hawaii
8. UNLV
9. Nevada
10. Utah State
11. San Jose State
12. Fresno State
Looking Ahead to Week 13
Boise State and Air Force will start us off on Friday afternoon with a post-Thanksgiving game in Colorado Springs. That will be played on CBS SN. San Jose State and Fresno State lock up on Saturday afternoon on CBS SN. Nevada will travel to UNLV to battle for the Fremont Cannon. That will be on ESPN3. Colorado State will travel to San Diego State to take on the Aztecs on CBS SN. Utah State will head south on I-15 to Provo to take on BYU on ESPNU. UMass will fly a really effing long ways to take on Hawaii. Wyoming will head south to Albuquerque to take on New Mexico on ESPN2.
Final Thoughts and Hot Takes
– What a season for the Wyoming Cowboys. Picked near the bottom of the league in the preseason they are now one win away from hosting the Mountain West championship and two wins from being the Mountain West champion.
– No question that Craig Bohl is the Mountain West, and maybe national, coach of the year.
– What a let down for Utah State, a two touchdown lead with seven minutes left and evaporated. Really disappointing year for the Aggies.
– Colorado State closed down Hughes Stadium with a win over New Mexico on Saturday night. The Rams will be playing in a new on-campus stadium next fall. Many of the Ram greats were in attendance for the final game at Hughes.
– Speaking of Colorado State, they might be the Mountain West’s hottest team right now. A couple of close losses this season and their season could have been much different.
– Again, speaking of the Rams.. quick prediction for Saturday, the Rams beat San Diego State on the road.
– Nick Rolovich is hilarious for suggesting the golden screwdriver trophy with Hawaii. The guy is bringing good things to the Islands nowadays. With a win vs UMass they will be bowl eligible.
– After this weekend the West is 4-13 vs the Mountain this season. How’s that for league balance?