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The 2013 New Mexico Bowl started off bowl season with a bang as Colorado State was down 15 points with about four minutes left in the game, but they ended up scoring 18 points in the final 2:52 to defeat Washington State; the game was capped off narrowly by a 41-yard field goal by Jared Roberts. The field goal was set up when Washington State fumbled the prior kickoff with less than a minute left in the game.
This game seemed to be over when Washington State scored a touchdown with 9:35 left in the game to go up 45-30. Colorado State's first drive after trailing 15 points ended up in a failed fourth down attempt in field goal range, but then the Rams defense forced a stop.
Colorado State drove quickly down the field on a 10-play drive that went 72 yards to make it an eight-point deficit. With less than three minutes left in the game a comeback seemed to be out of the question, however Washington State's offense decided to attempt to run the ball after a few completed passes. There was a reviewed fumble by Washington State quarterback Connor Halliday by Shaquill Barrett, but he was called down. Washington State could have run 25 seconds off the clock but the Cougars snapped the ball with 20 seconds on the play clock, and Barrett was able to force and recover the fumble from Jeremiah Laufasa.
Down eight and with the ball at the Washington State 33-yard line gave the Rams hope they could get a chance to tie game. Colorado State had zero timeouts and a combination of pass and running plays put the Rams in position to score. On 3rd-and-2 at the 10-yard line, Bibbs ran for 8 yards and then two plays later he scored a touchdown. The score from 1-yard out would not be easy as Bibbs fumbled and then recovered the ball in the end zone.
Colorado State still needed the two-point conversion to tie the game, and the Rams dialed up a great play. The statue of liberty play was called and the ball was not given to Bibbs but to Donnell Alexander and he narrowly put the ball past the plane.
The @GildanNMbowl is all tied up at 45-45. The trophy ceremony will be on E3 " http://t.co/4LNyDnWKfV #CFBHardware pic.twitter.com/HpwAtQc93N
— ESPN3 (@ESPN3) December 21, 2013
Here is said play:
Overtime seemed to be the likely scenario, but then on the ensuing kickoff Washington State's Teondray Caldwell tumbled the ball. Colorado State recovered the ball at the 24-yard line and two plays later of no gains the Rams narrowly converted the game-winning 41-yard field goal.
