Evans, Wyoming beat New Mexico State 29-7
Good dog retrieves tee after New Mexico St. kickoff
Striking the Wonder Dog, sprints out on the field after an Aggies' kickoff and takes it to the sideline.
LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- Nico Evans ran for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries to help Wyoming beat New Mexico State 29-7 on Saturday night in the season opener for both teams.
The senior came in with 36 career carries for 108 yards with one touchdown -- a 6-yard reception against Fresno State on Nov. 18.
Evans capped a nine-play, 60-yard drive with a 24-yard touchdown run to make it 7-0 with 9:30 left in the first quarter. New Mexico was called for holding on the ensuing kickoff and then a false start on its next play from scrimmage. After an incomplete pass, on second-and-11 from the 2, Carl Granderson and Jesse Hooper tackled Jason Huntley in the end zone. Cooper Rothe made second-quarter field goals of 36 and 39 yards to give the Cowboys a 15-0 halftime lead.
New Mexico State had just eight total yards, including minus-9 yards rushing, at the break. The Aggies, who had seven first-half possessions, went three-and-out five times, allowed a safety and had a four-play, 4-yard drive that ended when the second quarter expired. Their lone first down in the half came with just seconds remaining and was followed by a false start and then a holding penalty.
Evans added a 56-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter and freshman Jevon Bigelow made it 29-0 with a 23-yard scoring run early in the fourth.
New Mexico State didn't cross midfield until the closing minutes during a 10-play, 93-yard drive that was capped by Matt Romero's 31-yard touchdown pass to Drew Dan with 1:16 to play.
Game Information
2023 Mountain West Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Boise State | 6-2 | 8-6 |
| San José State | 6-2 | 7-6 |
| UNLV | 6-2 | 9-5 |
| Air Force | 5-3 | 9-4 |
| Wyoming | 5-3 | 9-4 |
| Fresno State | 4-4 | 9-4 |
| Utah State | 4-4 | 6-7 |
| Hawai'i | 3-5 | 5-8 |
| Colorado State | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| Nevada | 2-6 | 2-10 |
| New Mexico | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| San Diego State | 2-6 | 4-8 |
2023 Conference USA Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Liberty | 8-0 | 13-1 |
| New Mexico State | 7-1 | 10-5 |
| Jacksonville State | 6-2 | 9-4 |
| Western Kentucky | 5-3 | 8-5 |
| Middle Tennessee | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Louisiana Tech | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Sam Houston | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| UTEP | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Florida International | 1-7 | 4-8 |
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