Fresno State beats Wyoming 13-7 to reach MWC title game
LARAMIE, Wyo. -- Marcus McMaryion threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, and Fresno State clinched a spot in the Mountain West title game by beating short-handed Wyoming 13-7 on a cold and windy Saturday.
Fresno State (8-3, 6-1) will face Boise State on Dec. 2 after the Bulldogs secured the West Division title. It's Fresno State's third championship berth in five seasons.
"I can't be prouder of this team," Fresno State coach Jeff Tedford said. "And I can't be happier for them. The turnaround that they've made, the belief and confidence, the hard work they've put in, the coaching staff has done a phenomenal job. It's a great feeling when all the hard work pays off."
Wyoming was without star quarterback Josh Allen, who was injured in last week's win against Air Force.
McMaryion's lofted pass toward the left pylon was caught for a 21-yard score by running back Ronnie Rivers for a 10-0 lead and Jimmy Camacho made his second short field goal of the game late in the third for a 13-point advantage.
Wyoming backup quarterback Nick Smith, making his third career start, completed a 6-yard scoring pass to Nico Evans with 2:25 remaining and Fresno State went three-and-out. The Cowboys got to Fresno State's 27 but Smith was sacked on fourth down by Robert Stanley to seal it.
Smith was 20-of-32 passing for 231 yards and a score for Wyoming (7-4, 5-2).
BIG PICTURE
Fresno State: The Bulldogs spent Friday night in a Cheyenne hotel, choosing to make a 50-mile drive in the morning. But weather overnight made it a difficult drive, even with a state trooper leading the way in a truck with a snowplow. Fresno State didn't arrive at the stadium until 90 minutes before kickoff.
Wyoming: Allen, a junior and top NFL Draft prospect, was introduced during senior-day festivities, leading to speculation about leaving school early.
"I would say no," Wyoming coach Craig Bohl said when asked if Allen would return to the team next season. "He and I have had some talks, and I think he's going to plan on moving forward. So that's what the plan was today."
