COLLEGE FOOTBALL : WESTERN ATHLETIC ROUNDUP : Colorado State Wins Holiday Berth

Colorado State used numerous big plays, including Greg Myers’ 84-yard punt return for a touchdown, to win a share of its second consecutive Western Athletic Conference title and a Holiday Bowl berth with a 24-13 victory over San Diego State on Saturday night at San Diego.

The Rams, 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the WAC, will return to Jack Murphy Stadium on Dec. 29 to play Kansas State. It is the first time Colorado State has gone to bowls in consecutive years, and only its fourth bowl bid overall. The Rams lost, 24-14, to Michigan in last year’s Holiday Bowl.

The Rams share the WAC title with Utah and Brigham Young, but gained the Holiday Bowl berth by virtue of victories over both schools. Air Force, playing a late game at Hawaii, also could share the title, but had no shot at the bowl berth.

San Diego State (8-4, 5-3) is 1-3-1 in home finales that have helped decide the Holiday Bowl berth.

San Diego State’s George Jones, the nation’s No. 3 rusher, was held to his second-lowest output of the season, 87 yards in 26 carries.

Quarterback Billy Blanton was sacked six times, three times by Brady Smith and twice by Sean Moran. Steve Standifer had two interceptions, one in the end zone and one at the Colorado State 13.

Blanton still finished 33 for 48 for 311 yards and one touchdown.

Wyoming 42, Texas El Paso 19--Josh Wallwork threw for four touchdowns and ran for one as the Cowboys (6-5, 4-4) concluded their season with a victory over the Miners (2-10, 1-7).

Wyoming’s Marcus Harris, the WAC’s leading receiver, caught five passes for 180 yards and two scores, giving him 78 catches for 1,423 yards this season. His touchdowns covered 66 and 55 yards.