LARAMIE, Wyo. — The Bronze Boot returns to Laramie following a one-year stint in Fort Collins after Wyoming put on a defensive masterclass and shut out the Colorado State University Rams 28-0. It is the first shutout in the series’ history since 2010.
This wasn’t just another game for the Pokes, who now rise to 4-4 for the season. After last year’s loss to the Rams, in which QB Kaden Anderson was 13/30 in passing and Wyoming carved out only 237 yards of total offense to CSU’s 446, this Cowboys team was out for blood.
“It is very special. It was just the focus all week—to get that boot back and represent the state the right way,” Anderson said. “Physical—that was the most physical that I’ve seen Wyoming play in a very really long time.”
Linebacker Dash Bauman attempts to block a kick versus the CSU Rams Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
The quarterback had a much better outing in his first at-home Border War game. Anderson was 16/24 for 154 yards of offense and was especially efficient when it counted in the first half—he was 15/18 to start. He was backed up by the more run-focused quarterback Landon Simms, who may soon be seeing more playing time under the regime of new offensive coordinator Jovon Bouknight.
“He’s a heck of an athlete. He’s super fast, super athletic,” Anderson said. “It was just great to finally hit that one-two punch, man.”
Landon Sims is celebrated by teammates after a one-yard TD rush Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
Together, they pieced together one of Wyoming’s best offensive outings of the season.
Sims opened scoring on the Pokes’ second drive of the night after Anderson shotgunned his way up the field from his own 33-yard line over four first downs. The drive was kept afloat with a 27-yard rush from Sam Scott who, despite only getting three carries throughout the game, led Wyoming in rushing yards.
After bringing the ball up to CSU’s four-yard line, Wyoming would blow through downs and get within just yard of the end zone on fourth down. Bouknight brought in Sims, who broke through the middle and put the first numbers on the board for Wyoming at 2:43 in the first quarter.
Colorado State had little chance to respond after being intercepted at its 44-yard line on the very next possession. Wyoming grabbed three picks from the Rams over the course of the night.
“Anytime that you play that way and shut a team out and get three takeaways in the process—I mean, that was a great defensive effort,” Wyoming Head Coach Jay Sawvell said post-game.
Two of those interceptions produced in scoring for the Pokes as well. That initial pick led to a 49-yard touchdown drive and a 22-yard passing touchdown for Anderson and receiver Michael Fitzgerald. That was Fitzgerald’s only reception of the entire night.
Wide receiver Michael Fitzgerald is celebrated by teammates after catching a 22-yard TD pass Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
Receiver Michael Fitzgerald leaps over Jahari Rogers to catch a pass from Kaden Anderson. He didn’t complete the reception, but a pass interference call was made Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
Wyoming and CSU traded unproductive possessions until the Rams had the ball again with six minutes left in the half. Colorado State brought the ball up 22 yards and up to their own 43-yard line when Brousseau threw his second interception of the night, this time into the hands of safety Jones Thomas, whose father and grandfather both played for Colorado State.
“It was a big redemption game for me personally, coming from there and they didn’t really recruit me at all,” Thomas said. “I kind of had a had something to show. The interception, it was a great feeling. My first one of my collegiate career.”
The Pokes again converted the interception into points after a five-play drive that culminated in a nine-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chris Durr Jr. This drive was less pretty, with receiver Jalen Sargent nearly fumbling the ball at the CSU 22-yard line.
Chris Durr Jr. celebrates a TD pass as the Ram on coverage walks away in defeat Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
Wide receiver Chris Durr Jr. runs the ball against CSU Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
Wyoming was elated heading into the locker room at halftime. Their offense would stagnate somewhat to close out the game, but the Pokes would put up one more touchdown while their defense cleaned up on the other side of the ball.
It was Sam Scott, who had up to this point this season not been a part of many flashy plays, getting the final TD of the night in a 37-yard rush in Wyoming’s first possession of the second half. Scott’s carries have dwindled some since being more involved in the offense at the beginning of the season, and this touchdown marks his first of the year.
From there, Wyoming’s ever-improving defense finished the job and secured the Poke’s first shutout over the Rams in 15 years. The game also marks the first time since 1966 that Wyoming has had two shutout games in one season.
“We took advantage of the things we needed to take advantage of tonight. I’m really happy with our defense,” Sawvell said. “I think that the staff does a great job of putting our guys in good positions.”
Wyoming’s defense knows their good as well, and they seem to be improving every week.
“Our main goal on defense was to set the tone, set the pace, and stop the run. And that’s exactly what we did tonight,” nose tackle Ben Florentine said.
“We have a lot of confidence and comfortability with each other and we know we have guys out there who can make plays across the field from the front line to the linebackers to the secondary,” Thomas said. “We have all the confidence in the world and in every single one of our players that’s out there.”
This is Sawvel’s first border war win as Wyoming’s head coach, and that moment—especially what it meant to his players—was not lost on him. He said after the game that his job is to help his players find the most success possible and that a win like that is when that goal feels very tangible.
“This isn’t about me,” Sawvel said. “To see them react that way and to see them that happy, that’s what it is.”
The boot is back where it belongs and the Pokes no longer have to stare at an empty trophy case in their weight room. Despite CSU and Wyoming parting as fellow conference members, the Border War will stay alive next year and beyond. Until then, Wyoming will look forward to facing San Diego State Nov. 1 in San Diego at 5 p.m. Mountain Time. For more information on the Pokes’ schedule, see the UW Athletics website.
Freshman running back Sam “Tote” Harris attempts to avoid the tackle Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
QB Landon Sims is sacked by a CSU Ram Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
Wyoming debuts coal-black uniforms against the CSU Rams Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
Terron Kellman runs the ball against CSU Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
CSU tight end Carlos Anaya before kick-off against Wyoming Oct. 25, 2025 (Garrett Grochowski, Oil City News)
