Colorado St. 36, Wyoming 28

11/23/2007 10:07 PM

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) -Speculation abounded about the future of Sonny Lubick at Colorado State despite a season-ending win over rival Wyoming.

``I don't know what will happen,'' said defensive end Jesse Nading, who recovered a fourth-quarter fumble. ``He didn't say anything to let us know differently.''

Rams quarterback Caleb Hanie said Lubick told the players before the game that he might not return next season. He said the coach was emotional after the game when the players gave him the game ball and the Bronze Boot.

Michael Myers came off the bench to score the go-ahead touchdown on an 18-yard carry on Friday as the Rams beat Wyoming 36-28 to win the Bronze Boot, the trophy in the annual so-called ``border war.''

There's been uncertainty about Lubick's future after 15 seasons as the Rams have struggled. The team lost 13 in a row dating back to last season, before snapping the string with a 48-23 win over UNLV on Oct. 20.

The struggles follow years of success. The team has won or shared six conference titles since 1994, more than any other conference member over that period. The Rams have also been to nine bowl games in that stretch.

There was no statement about his future Friday from the coach whose name is on the Rams' stadium and field.

``I'm just going to stick with my story and stay with it,'' said an emotional Lubick in his post-game press conference, adding that a decision would come quickly but not saying if he would be back for a 16th season.

``We'll see what transpires the next day or so,'' said Lubick. ``I still have the passion to coach.''

Myers, subbing for the injured Gartrell Johnson, carried for 40 yards on the drive and gave Colorado State (3-9, 2-6 Mountain West) in the annual matchup with Wyoming.

Myers finished with 44 yards. Johnson ran for 103 yards and two touchdowns and had one touchdown reception before leaving late in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

``I'm interested in what Sonny does because I came here because I'm from Miami where he coached all those great defensive Hurricane teams,'' Johnson said. ``Everyone was looking for an announcement, but he really didn't say anything to let us know.

``We'll know the next few weeks,'' Johnson added.

Hanie completed 16 of 22 passes for 245 yards and two touchdowns.

``I threw the ball well and it was matter of me regaining my confidence over the last two games,'' Hanie said. ``We drew motivation from the history of the series and to take out the frustration of the year on Wyoming.''

The Cowboys (5-7, 2-6) ended the season with a four-game losing streak.

Wyoming's Karsten Sween completed 20 of 33 passes for 204 yards, and Devin Moore ran for 76 yards and a touchdown. Wynel Seldon added 21 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.

``We had too many penalties and too many mistakes,'' Glenn said. ``We made too many mistakes to win.''

The Cowboys drew 10 penalties for 90 yards. They also lost two fumbles and missed a chip shot field goal.

The Rams drove to the Wyoming 9 on their first possession but had to settle for a 29-yard field goal by Jason Smith with 11:43 left.

The Cowboys used a gimmick play to set up their first score. Greg Bolling took a lateral from Sween and then passed to a wide-open Hoost Marsh, who took the ball to the Wyoming 9. Two plays later, Moore ran it into the end zone from the 1 and the Cowboys had a 7-3 lead.

After Hanie threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Johnson on the first play of the second quarter, the Cowboys answered with an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive and retook the lead 14-10.

The Rams took over at midfield when Billy Vinnedge's punt rolled dead at the Wyoming 49. Six plays later, Luke Roberts reached over Wyoming free safety Quincy Rogers to grab Hanie's 29-yard toss in the end zone. With the PAT, Colorado State led 17-14.

The Rams led 27-14 after Smith kicked a field goal and Johnson rushed for a touchdown. But Wyoming reclaimed the lead when Moore ran a kickoff off back 98 yards for a touchdown and Seldon scored another TD on a 2-yard run.

Myers gave Colorado State the lead back for good with his 18-yard score. A 2-point conversion attempt failed and the Rams led 33-28.

``I had stood on the sidelines for three quarters,'' Myers said. ``You never want a teammate go down, but I was fresh and ready to run when the coaches called for me.''

Wyoming was driving when Sween coughed up the ball on a John Clark hit with 5:01 left. Jesse Nading recovered for the Rams at midfield.

Smith sealed the game with a 39-yard field goal with 2:14 left.

Glenn and Lubick embraced at midfield after time expired.

Asked whether he thinks Lubick will step down as coach, Glenn said Lubick has had a great career.

``He will be able to ride off into the sunset with his head held high,'' Glenn said.