Colorado State vs. Wyoming final: Rams lose 45-31

The Wyoming Cowboys (2-7, 1-4) earned their first 2012 win in Mountain West Conference play on Saturday as they shellacked the Colorado State Rams (2-7, 1-4) 45-31 at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie.

Cowboys quarterback Brett Smith put up big numbers in the victory, tossing four touchdown passes and completing 19 of 32 attempts for 235 yards. Wyoming cornerback Blair Burns returned an interception 99 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter, a pivotal play.

Colorado State threatened in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns after trailing 42-17 heading into the final quarter. However, the deficit was too great for the Rams to overcome.

Box Score Hero: With five touchdowns for the Cowboys, Brett Smith's numbers in the box score certainly stand out.

Rankings Ramifications: Neither team will factor into the rankings.

But Did They Cover? Wyoming was favored by 10 points and beat that margin with ease.

For More On This Game: Check out the story stream for Colorado State vs. Wyoming.

Next Week's Schedule: The Cowboys will head to Albuquerque to take on the New Mexico Lobos. Colorado State returns home to host the UNLV Rebels.

This story was originally published on SB Nation.com.

Wyoming vs. Colorado St.: Cowboys with comfy 42-17 lead after third quarter

The Wyoming Cowboys have put themselves in superb position for a win today, leading the Colorado St. Rams 42-17 after the third quarter.

Cowboys quarterback Brett Smith added a rushing score and his fourth passing touchdown of the game in the quarter to bolster the Wyoming advantage as the Cowboys search for their first Mountain West Conference win of 2012.

Colorado St. opened the second-half scoring with a 30-yard field goal off the foot of kicker Jared Roberts with 8:51 remaining in the quarter to trim the Wyoming lead to 28-17. The Cowboys were undaunted, with Smith punching it in from the Rams 5-yard line with 5:24 remaining, capping an 11-play, 68-yard drive. The score made it 35-17 Wyoming.

After a three-and-out from the Rams on the ensuing possession, Wyoming took full advantage. Jalen Claiborne returned a punt 29 yards to the Colorado St. 36, and Smith took only four plays to connect with Dominic Rufran for a three-yard touchdown strike, making it 42-17 Cowboys.

Wyoming vs. Colorado St.: Cowboys surge ahead 28-14 at halftime

The Wyoming Cowboys led the Colorado St. Rams 28-14 at halftime, dominating the visitors to Laramie in all phases and putting themselves in position to pick up their first win of 2012 in Mountain West Conference play.

Cowboys quarterback Brett Smith tossed a nine-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Robert Herron with less than two minutes elapsed in the second quarter to expand the Wyoming lead to 28-7 after a prolific first quarter. The Rams cut into the deficit with 2:54 remaining. Colorado St. running back Donnell Alexander picked up an 11-yard touchdown scamper to make it 28-14.

Smith went 14 for 21 in the first half with 186 passing yards and three touchdown completions. The Cowboys had a lot of diversity in their attack, with six different receivers catching a pass.

Alexander ran for 87 yards on 11 carries in the first half. Wyoming quarterback Conner Smith completed 7 of 15 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown, but did throw a crucial interception that Blair Burns took back for a 99-yard touchdown near the end of the first quarter.

Wyoming vs. Colorado St. Score Update: Cowboys Lead 21-7 after First Quarter

The Wyoming Cowboys have used offensive efficiency and defensive opportunism to lead the Colorado St. Rams 21-7 after the first quarter of play.

Cowboys quarterback Brett Smith has completed 11 of 16 passes for two touchdowns and 141 yards in the first quarter, and the Cowboys went six-for-six on third-down conversion attempts. Meanwhile, Colorado St. has held the ball for only 5:51 compared to Wyoming's 9:09.

Smith found Chris McNeill for a 26-yard touchdown pass after about three minutes to make it 7-0 Cowboys. The Rams answered on the first play of the ensuing drive, with quarterback Conner Smith hitting Thomas Coffman for a 75-yard touchdown hookup to even the score.

Brett Smith delivered a 16-yard touchdown strike to Brandon Miller with seven minutes remaining to put Wyoming back up 14-7. With 3:27 left in the quarter and the Rams threatening, Cowboys cornerback Blair Brown picked off a pass at the Wyoming 1 and returned it all the way for a touchdown, giving Wyoming the 21-7 advantage at the quarter break.

Colorado State vs. Wyoming 2012: game time, TV schedule, odds and more

The Colorado State Rams will be attempting to beat the Wyoming Cowboys on Saturday.