Memorable Moments: 47th Meeting Led to Conference Title

The Border War is among us and after 123 years of fighting, the war rages on between the two schools. Another battle for the Bronze Boot, another running of the game ball and whether the two teams are at the top or at the bottom of the standings, every game has meaning.

In 1955, the Rams saw many men return from military duty following the Korean War, most notably was quarterback Jerry Callahan, receiver Jerry Zaleski and center Bob Weber. In 1954, outstanding quarterback Gary Glick made a name for himself as the nation's back of the week against Utah, and in the '55 season, head coach Bob Davis moved him to the halfback position where he could pass, run or kick the ball as needed.

The Rams had opened the 1955 season 2-1, shutting out New Mexico and beating the reigning champions from the University of Denver on a come-from-behind 20-19 victory the previous week in Fort Collins. On October 8^th, the Colorado A&M Rams traveled to Laramie to take on their biggest foe of the season. The rivalry started to heat up in 1948 and 1949 with both schools trading wins in pivotal seasons, and fans mixing it up on the field afterwards creating a tear gas incident in '49. Since then, A&M and Wyoming had continued to build upon a hatred for one another, and the 1955 game would prove to be another battle of the ages.

Wyoming had the advantage going into the game with several returning starters and 1954 All-Skyline Conference players. The Pokes handedly beat Kansas State, Utah State and Montana to open their season, outscoring their opponents 94-39 over those three contests. Their top player was senior quarterback Joe Mastrogiovanni, along with Clarence Carter at end and Ray Lutterman at tackle. Stacked with seniors and experience, Wyoming had depth and talent.

In 1955, War Memorial Stadium, with its 18,000 seats was just five years old, the same age as Canvas Stadium is today. The Rams had not beaten the Cowboys since 1952, a 14-0 win in Laramie. With both teams tied for first in the conference, this game had championship implications. It was a bright and sunny day in Laramie, a stiff wind was blowing out of the south as the Rams kicked off to the Cowboys at 1:30pm.

Colorado A&M took the lead on their second possession of the game. Zaleski's 33-yard run started a 60-yard drive that ended in a Callahan to Gary Sanders pass in the endzone, Glick kicked the PAT and the Rams led in the first quarter 7-0. Rushes by Larry Barnes, Glick and Zaleski chewed up the turf in Laramie, shocking Cowboy fans back into their seats with 5:16 left to play in the first quarter.

After Wyoming failed on their next drive, the Rams, behind another brilliant run by Zaleski punched their way to the 1-foot line and set up for what seemed like an easy goal. The A&M line moved before the ball and a 5-yard penalty dropped the Rams back as the first quarter came to an end. The Rams punched their way to the 2, and on fourth-and-goal, Davis decided to go for it rather than kick the field goal. The gamble paid off as Callahan took the ball from center rolled right and pitched to Glick who made the easy touchdown. Colorado A&M had taken a quick 14-0 lead with less than a minute off the clock in the second quarter, their offense easily rolling over Wyoming's defense.

Wyoming's offense could not get any ground to that point against the tough Rams defense. It was clear in the early stages of the game; the Cowboys were struggling on both sides of the ball. On the ensuing kickoff, a pooch kick to the 30 saw Rams end Gerald McWilliams pounce on the ball and Colorado A&M took over. While the possession did not result in a score, the Cowboys found themselves continually trying to keep up with a focused Rams team.

After another interception and more miscues by the Cowboys, they finally got things together late in the second quarter and mounted a drive of their own. With 1:49 left to play in the half, Wyoming scored their first touchdown of the day, showing the most offensive mite of the day, rolling over the A&M defense. Both teams went to the locker room at half with confidence, but Colorado A&M had a 14-7 lead and would receive the ball to start the second half.

The third quarter was a stalemate with both teams chewing up the center of the field. Wyoming made a valiant effort at the end of the quarter, driving to the Rams 4-yard line before the A&M defense held strong and prevented the Pokes from scoring as the fourth quarter started.

Both teams fought in the final frame, but Wyoming mounted a long a sustained drive kept alive by A&M penalties. With 6:17 left in the game, and the ball on the Rams 10-yard line, Mastrogiovani threw a pass to halfback Butch Wilson for a touchdown. The teams lined up for the extra point with Mastrogiovani the kicker. A&M halfback Zaleski broke through the line and blocked the kick, Mastrogiovani picked up the kicking tee and threw it to the Wyoming sideline in disgust.

The Rams held on for the remainder of the game with a 14-13 win and came away as the top team in the Skyline Conference and Wyoming in second place. Colorado A&M won five out of the next six games, losing to Utah and creating an interesting scenario on Thanksgiving Day.

The Rams remained at the top of the Skyline Conference standings; Wyoming desperately needed to beat DU to set up a co-championship. Wyoming traveled to Denver for the very important Thanksgiving Day game. However, a controversial whistle at the end of the game, found later to have been from the Wyoming drum major, allowed DU's Dick Gupton to score a last minute 78-yard touchdown to beat Wyoming and give Colorado A&M the outright championship. It would be the only championship of Davis' career at CSU and the last one until Sonny Lubick's 1994 Rams, who also beat Wyoming in a storied game.

The 47th game of the Border War was without question a battle to the end with the Rams coming out on top. With more than 112 battles in this long rivalry, there is sure to be more great games to remember.

Special thanks to the late Jerry Callahan who rescued the original color game film of this battle in Laramie and after digitization has allowed us to see a detailed play-by-play account of this great game.

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