Wyoming routs sloppy Central Michigan in Allen’s finale

BOISE, Idaho—When Wyoming junior quarterback Josh Allen stepped onto the stage to accept his MVP trophy following the Cowboys’ 37-14 victory over Central Michigan on Friday in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, it didn’t take long for the chant to begin.

Surrounded by teammates and a throng of Wyoming fans, Allen couldn’t resist the moment and hoisted the trophy over his head before declaring his intentions to skip his senior season to enter the NFL draft.

Allen missed the final two regular-season games with a sprained right shoulder, resulting in a pair of close losses. In warmups, he looked anxious to return to the field and didn’t disappoint the Wyoming contingent on hand for his final collegiate game.

Allen completed 11 of 19 passed for 154 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. He didn’t have to do much thanks to Wyoming’s suffocating defense. But when the Cowboys needed Allen, he produced.

Allen’s first touchdown pass to open the scoring was a 23-yard bullet to Jared Scott. But the potential top 10 draft pick showed off the arm strength and accuracy that has scouts drooling with a 45-yard strike that hit C.J. Johnson in stride in the end zone.

However, Allen’s performance didn’t have to be all that impressive thanks to a defense that forced eight turnovers.

Central Michigan (8-5) had won five straight. The eight turnovers broke the previous Famous Idaho Potato Bowl record of six.

Wyoming entered the game first in the nation in turnover margin, but second in forced turnovers with 30 behind Central Michigan, which had 31. But with an 8-0 advantage, Wyoming will likely finish at the top of both rankings after the bowl season concludes.

Wyoming took a 21-7 lead in the first quarter.

Wyoming’s offense struggled in the red zone after the first quarter, settling for three field goals in three trips.

Central Michigan struggled everywhere on the field, watching promising drives end on turnovers or other drives stunted due to Wyoming’s relentless pass rush. The Cowboys had a seasonfive sacks.

Late in the third quarter, Central Michigan found a spark and cut the deficit to 30-14. The Chippewas strung together a seven-play, 65-yard drive that ended on a 3-yard run by Jonathan Ward.

But Central Michigan failed to build on that momentum, losing it all on a scoop and score. After a strip sack by Youhanna Ghaifan, Wyoming defensive end Carl Granderson took the fumble and rumbled 58 yards for the touchdowns.