Hauss Hejny tosses 5 TDs as Colorado State beats Wyoming 35-13 in Rams debut for coach Jim Mora

FORT COLLINS, Colo. (AP) — Hauss Hejny threw five touchdown passes, Colorado State's buzzing defense had three interceptions and the Rams got off to a successful start under new head coach Jim Mora with a 35-13 win over Wyoming on Saturday night.

Hejny, a transfer from Oklahoma State, connected with RJ Vick for three scores, including a 57-yard reception as the Rams began their tenure in the Pac-12 Conference on the right note. Hejny finished with 214 yards passing and had a 28-yard catch on a trick play that set up a Colorado State TD on its opening drive.

The Rams brought home the Bronze Boot trophy as part of their “Border War” rivalry with Wyoming. For the first time in decades, though, the Rams and Cowboys did not meet as conference foes. Colorado State moved to the Pac-12 this season, while Wyoming remains in the Mountain West. The teams are currently not slated to play next season but will resume again in 2028.

Mora, the longtime NFL and college coach, arrived at Colorado State from Connecticut, where he spent the last four seasons. He brought in 76 new players this season, including 41 transfers.

Two of those newcomers were Hejny and Vick, who landed in Fort Collins after stints with Virginia Union and Wake Forest. Vick had six catches for 75 yards.

Wyoming had a short-lived momentum swing at the end of the first half when Rams kicker Kali Nguma missed a 54-yard field goal with 33 seconds left. The Cowboys made it a 14-6 game after Erik Sandvik connected on a 48-yard field goal.

Tyler Hughes scrambled for a 9-yard score on the opening drive of the third quarter to draw the Cowboys to 14-13. Colorado State's defense then came up big with Oumar Diomand's interception as the Cowboys were driving. Two plays later, Hejny found Vick to extend the lead. The Rams closed out the game by recovering a fumble.

Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould visited the stadium — with 40,546 in attendance on Saturday — and went to a pep rally the night before.

“This place is amazing, and more people need to know about it," Gould said. “That’s where I think the Pac-12 and the association to the Pac- 12 hopefully can help elevate the brand.”

Colorado State: Before Mora, the last football head coach to win their Colorado State debut was Mike Bobo in 2015. Steve Addazio lost in 2020 and Jay Norvell in 2022.

Wyoming: The last time Wyoming opened against the Rams was in 1964 when the Cowboys won 31-7 at home.

Wyoming: Host Northern Colorado on Saturday.

Colorado State: Host Southern Utah on Saturday.

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