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CMICH |
WYO |
Wyoming routs sloppy Central Michigan in Allen's finale
BOISE, Idaho (AP) When Wyoming junior quarterback Josh Allen stepped onto the stage to accept his MVP trophy following the Cowboys' 37-14 victory over Central Michigan on Friday in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, it didn't take long for the chant to begin.
''Do it! Do it!'' Wyoming players shouted in unison as snow began to fall on the field.
Surrounded by teammates and a throng of Wyoming fans, Allen couldn't resist the moment and hoisted the trophy over his head before declaring his intentions to skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.
''I was hoping to spend at least a day or two thinking about it,'' Allen said, ''but I think my teammates knew, and they were chanting for me to do it. This was the idea the whole time, to come back and trust what Coach (Craig) Bohl was doing and learn more on the offensive side of the football. It wasn't pre-planned before the season started, but we had a pretty good idea of what we were going to do.''
Allen missed the final two regular-season games with a sprained right shoulder, resulting in a pair of close losses. In warmups, he looked anxious to return to the field and didn't disappoint the Wyoming contingent on hand for his final collegiate game.
''Sitting out for those two games killed me inside,'' Allen said. ''I wanted to be back on the field with my teammates and brothers.''
Allen completed 11 of 19 passed for 154 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He didn't have to do much thanks to Wyoming's suffocating defense. But when the Cowboys needed Allen, he produced.
Allen's first touchdown pass to open the scoring was a 23-yard bullet to Jared Scott. But the potential top 10 draft pick showed off the arm strength and accuracy that has scouts drooling with a 45-yard strike that hit C.J. Johnson in stride in the end zone.
''In today's world where players are making all kinds of decisions about bowl games, Josh chose to play and I applaud him for that,'' Bohl said before lobbying for Allen to be drafted. ''If there's any NFL team looking for a player out there, you're never going to find a bigger competitor and a better leader than him.''
However, Allen's performance didn't have to be all that impressive thanks to a defense that forced eight turnovers.
Central Michigan (8-5) had won five straight. The eight turnovers broke the previous Famous Idaho Potato Bowl record of six.
''I don't feel that today's performance was indicative of the type of team we have,'' Central Michigan coach John Bonamego said. ''The storyline obviously is eight turnovers. You're not going to win many football games against any decent opponent turning it over that many times.''
Wyoming entered the game first in the nation in turnover margin, but second in forced turnovers with 30 behind Central Michigan, which had 31. But with an 8-0 advantage, Wyoming will likely finish at the top of both rankings after the bowl season concludes.
Wyoming took a 21-7 lead in the first quarter.
Wyoming's offense struggled in the red zone after the first quarter, settling for three field goals in three trips.
Central Michigan struggled everywhere on the field, watching promising drives end on turnovers or other drives stunted due to Wyoming's relentless pass rush. The Cowboys had a season-high five sacks.
Late in the third quarter, Central Michigan found a spark and cut the deficit to 30-14. The Chippewas strung together a seven-play, 65-yard drive that ended on a 3-yard run by Jonathan Ward.
But Central Michigan failed to build on that momentum, losing it all on a scoop and score. After a strip sack by Youhanna Ghaifan, Wyoming defensive end Carl Granderson took the fumble and rumbled 58 yards for the touchdowns.
''This defense is special,'' Ghaifan said. ''We all do our jobs and do it exceptionally well. ... We got eight turnovers today-that's not too shabby.''
THE TAKEAWAY
Wyoming: Finding a replacement for Allen will be a high priority for a Cowboys team that is losing only three starters on offense and three on defense. Wyoming returns leading rusher Trey Woods and a stout defense that should give the Cowboys a strong chance to contend for the Mountain West Conference title.
Central Michigan: The Chippewas face a rebuilding season next year in the MAC as they lose seven starters on offense and five on defense. The offense is a mix of good and bad. The bad? They lose starting quarterback Shane Morris along with his top two receivers, Mark Chapman and Corey Willis. However, the top three rushers-Jonathan Ward, Kumehnnu Gwilly, and Romello Ross-all return.
HONORING ENBERG
Central Michigan honored alum Dick Enberg a day after the sportscasting great died at age 82.
The team wore helmet stickers with Enberg's ''Oh My!'' signature call, while coaches wrote the phrase on the back of their caps.
Enberg graduated from Central Michigan in 1957 and played baseball for the Chippewas.
UP NEXT
Central Michigan will open the 2018 season on Sept. 1 at Kentucky.
Wyoming will face New Mexico State on Aug. 25.
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Copyright 2017 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
J. WardĀ
5 RB
|
J. Ward | 12 | 29 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. PoljanĀ
1 QB
|
T. Poljan | 4 | 15 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. RossĀ
34 RB
|
R. Ross | 3 | 6 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. GwillyĀ
33 RB
|
K. Gwilly | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. MorrisĀ
11 QB
|
S. Morris | 7 | -34 | 0 | 4 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. WardĀ
5 RB
|
J. Ward | 0 | 7 | 109 | 1 | 74 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ty. ConklinĀ
83 TE
|
Ty. Conklin | 0 | 7 | 98 | 0 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. ChapmanĀ
3 WR
|
M. Chapman | 0 | 5 | 70 | 0 | 43 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. WillisĀ
8 WR
|
C. Willis | 0 | 3 | 44 | 0 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. CooperĀ
12 WR
|
E. Cooper | 0 | 4 | 25 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. BuczkowskiĀ
44 FB
|
H. Buczkowski | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
M. FountainĀ
8 LB
|
M. Fountain | 9-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. OliverĀ
39 LB
|
M. Oliver | 6-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KellyĀ
4 DB
|
D. Kelly | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. OstmanĀ
45 DL
|
J. Ostman | 5-1 | 2.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BrionesĀ
17 LB
|
A. Briones | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CoxĀ
14 DB
|
J. Cox | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. BuntingĀ
3 DB
|
S. Bunting | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. StanitzekĀ
44 DL
|
M. Stanitzek | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ColemanĀ
7 DB
|
A. Coleman | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. Brisson-FastĀ
46 DL
|
N. Brisson-Fast | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. DillĀ
95 DL
|
D. Dill | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. KyreĀ
93 DL
|
D. Kyre | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Be. EdwardsĀ
32 RB
|
Be. Edwards | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JonesĀ
31 LB
|
C. Jones | 0-0 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. DannaĀ
57 DL
|
M. Danna | 0-2 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ApseyĀ
11 LB
|
T. Apsey | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. ArmstrongĀ
37 K
|
M. Armstrong | 0/0 | 0 | 2/2 | 2 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. SheldonĀ
99 P
|
J. Sheldon | 3 | 38.0 | 0 | 42 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
J. DavisĀ
28 RB
|
J. Davis | 5 | 18.6 | 35 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. ChapmanĀ 3 WR
|
M. Chapman | 3 | 3.3 | 8 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. AllenĀ
17 QB
|
J. Allen | 11/19 | 154 | 3 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
K. OverstreetĀ
29 RB
|
K. Overstreet | 21 | 85 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WoodsĀ
6 RB
|
T. Woods | 9 | 19 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. JohnsonĀ
14 WR
|
C. Johnson | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Van MaanenĀ
36 FB
|
D. Van Maanen | 2 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. AllenĀ
17 QB
|
J. Allen | 8 | -3 | 0 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
C. JohnsonĀ
14 WR
|
C. Johnson | 0 | 3 | 63 | 1 | 45 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. ConwayĀ
25 WR
|
A. Conway | 0 | 3 | 29 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. ScottĀ
2 WR
|
J. Scott | 0 | 1 | 23 | 1 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. MayfieldĀ
85 TE
|
T. Mayfield | 0 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. PriceĀ
80 WR
|
J. Price | 0 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. FortĀ
81 TE
|
A. Fort | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Van MaanenĀ
36 FB
|
D. Van Maanen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
L. WilsonĀ
30 LB
|
L. Wilson | 9-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. GrandersonĀ
91 DE
|
C. Granderson | 5-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. MalauuluĀ
96 NT
|
S. Malauulu | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. HallĀ
9 CB
|
T. Hall | 3-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. WingardĀ
28 S
|
A. Wingard | 3-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. MaluiaĀ
46 LB
|
C. Maluia | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Y. GhaifanĀ
93 DT
|
Y. Ghaifan | 3-2 | 2.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. CrallĀ
88 DE
|
G. Crall | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. PriesterĀ
2 CB
|
R. Priester | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. LoloheaĀ
58 DE
|
T. Lolohea | 3-0 | 2.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. GaffordĀ
5 CB
|
R. Gafford | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. EppsĀ
6 S
|
M. Epps | 2-1 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. OrtizĀ
8 LB
|
J. Ortiz | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. GandyĀ
20 S
|
E. Gandy | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ProsserĀ
42 DE
|
K. Prosser | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. PilapilĀ
45 LB
|
A. Pilapil | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HalliburtonĀ
3 S
|
A. Halliburton | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. RotheĀ
40 K
|
C. Rothe | 3/3 | 28 | 4/4 | 13 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. ZaleskiĀ
27 P
|
T. Zaleski | 6 | 36.8 | 4 | 47 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. HallĀ
9 CB
|
T. Hall | 2 | 30.0 | 37 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. PilapilĀ
45 LB
|
A. Pilapil | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |