Colorado State University Athletics
Memorable Moments: 2013 New Mexico Bowl Remains A Highlight Game
9/15/2022 2:00:00 PM | Football
Rams scored 18 points in the final 2:52 to shock Cougars
The first and only time the Rams have ever faced Washington State was just nine years ago in a wild and crazy 2013 New Mexico Bowl victory which still has fans wondering, "How did that happen?" This week will be the first regular-season meeting between the Cougars and the Rams.
Since Sonny Lubick's departure as head coach at CSU, the Rams had been trying to find their way back to the top. While they won an exciting New Mexico Bowl game in Coach Steve Fairchild's first season in 2008, CSU football had not put forth a winning season in the prior four years.
In Coach Jim McElwain's second season at the helm, he had taken many of Fairchild's recruits and begun to turn the program around, ending the 2013 regular season with a 7-6 record, just good enough to face Pac 12 Washington State in the New Mexico Bowl.
On a cold day in Albuquerque, the Rams, guided by quarterback Garrett Grayson and outstanding running back Kapri Bibbs, had a potent offense to face the Cougars.
The Rams opened the game by turning the ball over on their first two possessions, allowing Washington State quarterback, Connor Halliday the opportunity to drive his team and score 14 points quickly in the first quarter.
Grayson answered the call when he found wide receiver Charles Lovett for a 63-yard touchdown pass to pull within 7, still in the first quarter. The Cougs answered with a 28-yard pass from Halliday to extend their lead to 21-7. CSU kicker Jared Roberts made a 25-yard field goal, and the Rams ended the first quarter trailing 21-10.
The Rams played equal ball with the Cougars in the second quarter as CSU scored 10 of their 13 points three minutes before the half ended. While the Cougars scored two touchdowns in the second quarter themselves, CSU's momentum shift began with a 75-yard drive and 1-yard touchdown run by Bibbs. Roberts hit a 30-yard field goal as the half ended and CSU trailed 35-23.
The second half only saw Washington State score a lone field goal, but Bibbs' 75-yard run for a touchdown warmed up Rams fans as CSU chipped away at WSU's lead. Bibbs, who broke amazing records all season, turned in another amazing performance in Albuquerque rushing for 174 yards and three touchdowns to finish off his lone season with the Rams.
As the fourth quarter began, CSU trailed 38-30 and felt they were within striking distance of catching the Cougs as time ticked away. The Washington State offense struck early with a 22-yard pass from Halliday to take a 45-30 lead, but precious time ticked off the clock. With only 4:17 left in the game, Garrett Grayson led his offense down the field 72 yards in just 1:25, connecting with Jordan Vaden to cut the Cougs' lead to 45-37. CSU preserved their two time outs and settled in for a comeback that will never be forgotten.
After the Grayson-to-Vaden TD, CSU kicked the ball off to the Cougars. The Rams were forced to use the remainder of their timeouts, then a key play ensued. The WSU quarterback opted to keep the ball and rush up the middle, losing it and CSU recovered. However, after a long review of the play, Halliday was ruled down. On the next play after the review, the Rams MWC Defensive Player of the year Shaquil Barrett stripped the ball from Washington State running back Jeremiah Laufasa and pounced on the ball to recover it with only 1:51 left in the game. No review overturned the play this time and the Rams were in great field position.
The Rams capitalized on the fumble and drove to the Cougar 1-yard-line. With 33 seconds left in the game, Bibbs scored his third and most important touchdown of the day. The Rams now trailed by two points and needed a 2-point conversion to tie the game and possibly go into overtime.
On the conversion, Donnell Alexander swept around behind of Grayson, who faked a pass and did a behind-the-back "Statue of Liberty" handoff to Alexander who ran to the pylon, touching the orange end-zone marker with the ball to complete the conversion and tie the game at 45.
On the ensuing kickoff, Rams linebacker Steven Michel forced a Cougar fumble and CSU freshman Jake Schlager pounced on the ball for the recovery. The comeback of the new century was continuing as CSU took over with very little time remaining at the Washington State 18-yard line. Rams kicker Jared Roberts kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired and the Rams won 48-45 in an seemingly impossible comeback.
As the Rams travel to Pullman this week, there is no doubt many CSU faithful will look back on this game as the greatest bowl comeback in school history
Since Sonny Lubick's departure as head coach at CSU, the Rams had been trying to find their way back to the top. While they won an exciting New Mexico Bowl game in Coach Steve Fairchild's first season in 2008, CSU football had not put forth a winning season in the prior four years.
In Coach Jim McElwain's second season at the helm, he had taken many of Fairchild's recruits and begun to turn the program around, ending the 2013 regular season with a 7-6 record, just good enough to face Pac 12 Washington State in the New Mexico Bowl.
On a cold day in Albuquerque, the Rams, guided by quarterback Garrett Grayson and outstanding running back Kapri Bibbs, had a potent offense to face the Cougars.
The Rams opened the game by turning the ball over on their first two possessions, allowing Washington State quarterback, Connor Halliday the opportunity to drive his team and score 14 points quickly in the first quarter.
Grayson answered the call when he found wide receiver Charles Lovett for a 63-yard touchdown pass to pull within 7, still in the first quarter. The Cougs answered with a 28-yard pass from Halliday to extend their lead to 21-7. CSU kicker Jared Roberts made a 25-yard field goal, and the Rams ended the first quarter trailing 21-10.
The Rams played equal ball with the Cougars in the second quarter as CSU scored 10 of their 13 points three minutes before the half ended. While the Cougars scored two touchdowns in the second quarter themselves, CSU's momentum shift began with a 75-yard drive and 1-yard touchdown run by Bibbs. Roberts hit a 30-yard field goal as the half ended and CSU trailed 35-23.
The second half only saw Washington State score a lone field goal, but Bibbs' 75-yard run for a touchdown warmed up Rams fans as CSU chipped away at WSU's lead. Bibbs, who broke amazing records all season, turned in another amazing performance in Albuquerque rushing for 174 yards and three touchdowns to finish off his lone season with the Rams.
As the fourth quarter began, CSU trailed 38-30 and felt they were within striking distance of catching the Cougs as time ticked away. The Washington State offense struck early with a 22-yard pass from Halliday to take a 45-30 lead, but precious time ticked off the clock. With only 4:17 left in the game, Garrett Grayson led his offense down the field 72 yards in just 1:25, connecting with Jordan Vaden to cut the Cougs' lead to 45-37. CSU preserved their two time outs and settled in for a comeback that will never be forgotten.
After the Grayson-to-Vaden TD, CSU kicked the ball off to the Cougars. The Rams were forced to use the remainder of their timeouts, then a key play ensued. The WSU quarterback opted to keep the ball and rush up the middle, losing it and CSU recovered. However, after a long review of the play, Halliday was ruled down. On the next play after the review, the Rams MWC Defensive Player of the year Shaquil Barrett stripped the ball from Washington State running back Jeremiah Laufasa and pounced on the ball to recover it with only 1:51 left in the game. No review overturned the play this time and the Rams were in great field position.
The Rams capitalized on the fumble and drove to the Cougar 1-yard-line. With 33 seconds left in the game, Bibbs scored his third and most important touchdown of the day. The Rams now trailed by two points and needed a 2-point conversion to tie the game and possibly go into overtime.
On the conversion, Donnell Alexander swept around behind of Grayson, who faked a pass and did a behind-the-back "Statue of Liberty" handoff to Alexander who ran to the pylon, touching the orange end-zone marker with the ball to complete the conversion and tie the game at 45.
On the ensuing kickoff, Rams linebacker Steven Michel forced a Cougar fumble and CSU freshman Jake Schlager pounced on the ball for the recovery. The comeback of the new century was continuing as CSU took over with very little time remaining at the Washington State 18-yard line. Rams kicker Jared Roberts kicked a 41-yard field goal as time expired and the Rams won 48-45 in an seemingly impossible comeback.
As the Rams travel to Pullman this week, there is no doubt many CSU faithful will look back on this game as the greatest bowl comeback in school history
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