James Butler Gives Nevada Last Minute Win Over Colorado State In Arizona Bowl

The Arizona Bowl was mocked for featuring two mediocre teams from the same conference. But when they got on the field, the game turned into a back-and-forth affair that was decided in the final minute, when a James Butler run gave Nevada a 28-23 win.

“There was a lot of snarkiness that we ended up with two conference opponents playing each other. Obviously, that’s not ideal,” Nevada coach Brian Polian said. “But look, I thought it was a really fun football game. There were plays made on both sides.”

After trailing much of the game, Colorado State took the lead on a Waytt Bryan field goal near the four minute mark. All the Rams’ defense had to do was stop Nevada one final time, but that turned out to be more difficult than they envisioned.

Nevada was able to march down the field with little resistance, allowing Butler to barrel across the goal line for the go-ahead touchdown. Colorado State tried to mount a response in the final minute, but ran out of time when Jordan Vaden failed to get out of bounds and stop the clock. The Rams drive ended just 12 yards from the end zone.

“Guys are in the moment and that will be a learning experience,” Colorado State coach Mike Bobo said. “We had plays where we could go for the jugular and we weren’t able to do that, and put ourselves in that situation.”

In addition to the game-winning touchdown, Butler rushed for 189 yards and one additional score.

PHOTO: TUCSON, AZ – DECEMBER 29: Running back James Butler #20 of the Nevada Wolf Pack leaps over safety Trent Matthews #16 of the Colorado State Rams as he rushes the football during the fourth quarter of the Nova Home Loans Arizona Bowl at Arizona Stadium on December 29, 2015 in Tucson, Arizona. The Wolf Pack defeated the Rams 28-23. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Article by Joe Kozlowski