2016 Mountain West football championship game final score: San Diego State holds off Wyoming, 27-24

The rematch between Wyoming and San Diego State did not disappoint in Saturday night’s Mountain West title game. The Aztecs held of the Cowboys rally to win back-to-back Mountain West titles by topping the Cowboys Saturday night, 27-24.

Wyoming did their best to come back in this game after it looked like it was all over for the Cowboys. San Diego State scored two touchdowns in the third quarter to go up 24-10 and the way the Wyoming offense, specifically running back Brian Hill, being held in checked it seemed like the Aztecs would waltz their way to victory.

Following the Aztecs second touchdown in the third quarter things started to heat up. Wyoming had their longest drive of the game which resulted in a 33-yard touchdown pass from Josh Allen to Tanner Gentry who made an amazing catch to stay in bounds.

That made it a one-touchdown game and the Cowboys defense stopped San Diego State, but on the following drive Allen tried to do too much and fumbled the ball deep in their own territory by trying to bulldoze Aztec defenders for a first down.

This game was not over yet as San Diego State was held to a field goal and then Wyoming came up big once again with Allen converting on a 43-yard touchdown pass to make it a three-point game, 27-24.

This would be the final score of the game but San Diego State gave Wyoming two more chances to get back in this game as Juwan Washington fumbled the ball and Marcus Epps recovered it for Wyoming.

The Cowboys had the ball but on a 4th-and-2 play the Aztecs defense snuffed out the toss option and Allen was stuffed for a loss.

At this point the game seemed to be over as San Diego State was trying to drain the clock while Wyoming had use their timeouts. Then on 4th down and in field goal range the Aztecs decided to for it but they lost the ball again.

In Wyoming’s final chance in this game they had the ball with a minute left and at their own 24-yard line and needed a field goal to force over time, but the San Diego State defense made a stand and sacked Allen on the final play of the game.

In this second matchup the San Diego State offense made huge strides in the running game as both Rashaad Penny rushed for 117 yards, two touchdowns and averaged 7.3 per play, and Donnel Pumphrey who was held in check cracked the century mark with 110 yards and a touchdown. In the prior game these two rushed for 79 and 76 yards respectively.

Penny ended up earning offensive MVP honors with his game where he not only rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns but also had 113 yards on two kick returns.

On the flip side, Brian Hill for Wyoming was held to 93 yards and that number was helped out a lot by a 66-yard run. Besides that long run Hill was held in check the whole game and was held out of the end zone.

The quarterback play was not great by either and San Diego State did not have Christian Chapman throw at all in the third quarter, and for the game he was 6 of 13 for 85 yards and an interception. Allen was bit better with 14 of 31 for 248 yards with three touchdowns but he also had two interceptions.

The defenses had a big game as there was six total turnovers with three on each side. Leading the way for the Aztecs were led by Damontae Kazee who had two interceptions and he nearly had a first half touchdown but he fumbled a clear pick-six out of the end zone and it resulted in a touch back.

Overall, the Aztecs also got to the quarterback four times for sacks and another six tackles for loss in their successful attempt of shutting down Hill and the running game.

Wyoming has down two key defenders and a few stepped up to have seven tackles for loss and a pair of sacks, but the running defense was where the Cowboys were lacking.

San Diego State’s win puts them in the Las Vegas Bowl where they will reportedly play the Houston Cougars out of the AAC.