LARAMIE, Wyo. (AP) (September 16, 2000) -- Central Michigan quarterback Pete
Shepherd completed 18-of-31
passes for 240 yards and one TD, but it wasn't enough as Wyoming defeated CMU, 31-10.
Nate Scott rushed for 192 yards and two
touchdowns, including a school record 95-yard romp, for Wyoming.
Wyoming (1-2) saved itself from starting 0-3 for the first time since 1975. The
Cowboys lost their first two games this season to Auburn and Texas A&M.
Central Michigan (1-2) dropped its second road game of the season. The Chippewas
lost to Purdue earlier before winning at home against Akron.
Entering its first ever meeting against Central Michigan without its top two quarterbacks
because of injuries, Wyoming relied almost exclusively on a ground game
that accounted for 87 percent of the Cowboys' 368 total offensive yards.
The Cowboys ran the ball 55 times for 321 yards and attempted just 17 passes, completing
only five for 47 yards. Brandon Neill, making his first start, completed
just one of five passes and one interception. Neill did contribute - on the ground -
scoring on an 11-yard run in the fourth quarter.
Scott was given the ball 20 times. His 95-yard TD run occurred early in the second quarter
after the Chippewas stopped a punt at Wyoming's 2-yard line. After a
3-yard gain on a run, Scott burst through the line and raced untouched past the Central
Michigan secondary to the end zone. Scott had 136 rushing yards in the
first half alone.
The previous record long touchdown run in Wyoming history was 87 yards by Kevin Lowe in
1984 versus South Dakota State.
Aaron Elling kicked field goals of 19, 28 and 50 yards for the Cowboys.
Central Michigan's scoring came on a 5-yard TD pass from Pete Shepherd to Ira Gooch and a
45-yard field goal by Paul Savich. Shepherd completed 18-of-31
passes for 240 yards and one TD.
Chippewas running back Robbie Mixon, who rushed for 164 yards and caught passes for 101
yards the previous week against Akron, was held to 50 rushing and
16 receiving yards.