Wyoming 31, Utah 15

10/14/2006 6:21 PM

By MEAD GRUVER
Associated Press Writer

LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) -Redshirt freshman Karsten Sween threw for 202 yards and ran in a touchdown Saturday in guiding Wyoming to a 31-15 win over Utah.

It was the Cowboys' first victory over Utah (4-3, 2-1 Mountain West Conference) since 1999.

Wyoming (3-4, 2-1) didn't score in the final 28 minutes, but got so far ahead in the first 32 minutes that it didn't matter.

Utah quarterback Brett Ratliff fumbled late in the first half, setting up Sween for a 24-yard touchdown pass to Michael Ford that put the Cowboys up 24-0 going into halftime.

Three plays into the second half, Julius Stinson picked off a Ratliff pass and returned it 42 yards for a touchdown and a 31-0 lead.

Utah didn't score until Eric Weddle's 35-yard fumble return in the third quarter made it 31-7. In the fourth quarter, Derrek Richards scored on a 3-yard touchdown pass, and Bradon Godfrey caught the 2-point conversion to make it 31-15.

The Utes took possession once more, but Ratliff was intercepted by Dorsey Golston and the Cowboys ran out the clock.

Jake Scott gave the Cowboys a 3-0 lead with a 47-yard field goal on Wyoming's first possession, and Wade Betschart's 2-yard touchdown run made it 10-0 at the end of the first quarter. Sween had a 4-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter to make it 17-0.