Behind freshman quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels, Wyoming upset Fresno State 35–28 in the game, which went into double overtime after a late field goal by Cowboy kicker Ian Watts. Carta-Samuels threw three touchdowns in the win including the game-winner in overtime, a 13 yard strike to David Leonard.
Game summary
Wyoming wore their home Brown uniforms, and Fresno wore white visitor uniforms. Wyoming freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels, the offensive MVP, threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns including the game-winning 13-yard touchdown pass to David Leonard. Defensive MVP Mitch Unrein tallied six tackles and two sacks for the Wyoming defense including a forced fumble midway through the 4th quarter which led to the game-tying field goal. Wyoming stopped the nation's leading rusher, Fresno State's Ryan Mathews, on three rushing attempts from the 1 in the first overtime. The Bulldogs tried a quarterback sneak on third down, and Mathews came up short again on fourth down.
Scoring summary
Fresno State vs. Wyoming
1
2
3
4
OT
2OT
Total
Fresno State
0
14
7
7
0
0
28
• Wyoming
7
7
3
11
0
7
35
Elapsed time: 3:40
Game weather: Sunny (Temperature–43, Wind–calm)
1st Quarter
WYO – Alvester Alexander 68-yard run (Ian Watts kick), 07:37. Wyoming 7-0. Drive: 1 play, 68 yards, 0:10.
2nd Quarter
FRES – Ryan Matthews 4-yard run (Kevin Goessling kick), 12:22. Fresno State 7-7. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 3:29.
FRES – Jamel Hamler 10-yard pass from Ryan Colburn (Kevin Goessling kick), 00:33. Fresno State 14-14. Drive: 10 plays, 65 yards, 4:28.
3rd Quarter
FRES – Jamel Hamler 43-yard pass from Chastin West (Kevin Goessling kick), 13:06. Fresno State 21-14. Drive: 6 plays, 71 yards, 1:54.
WYO – Ian Watts 40-yard field goal, 08:19. Fresno State 21-17. Drive: 9 plays, 39 yards, 4:47.
4th Quarter
FRES – Ryan Matthews 5-yard run (Kevin Goessling kick), 13:59. Fresno State 28-17. Drive: 2 plays, 6 yards, 0:46.
WYO – David Leonard 11-yard pass from Austyn Carta-Samuels (Carta-Samuels pass to Greg Bolling good), 10:15. Fresno State 28-25. Drive: 7 plays, 72 yards, 5:51.
WYO – Ian Watts 37-yard field goal, 00:20. Wyoming 28-28. Drive: 19 plays, 54 yards, 7:48.
2nd Overtime
WYO – David Leonard 13-yard pass from Austyn Carta-Samuels (Ian Watts kick). Wyoming 35-28. Drive: 5 plays, 25 yards.
Statistics
Statistics
Fresno
Wyoming
First Downs
19
26
Total offense, plays - yards
64-366
83-438
Rushes-yards (net)
44-197
50-234
Passing yards (net)
169
204
Passes, Comp-Att-Int
14-20-0
18-33-1
Time of Possession
26:47
33:13
Game Notes
Matthews led the nation in rushing for the 2009 season.
Wyoming was playing in its first bowl since 2004.
Carta-Samuels was the Mountain West Freshman of the Year.
Fresno State made its second straight appearance - and loss - in the New Mexico Bowl.