FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The beloved Bronze Boot trophy will remain in Fort Collins this year after Colorado State University (CSU) routed the University of Wyoming (UW) 35-15 in the annual Border War on Saturday, Sept. 5. The win ends a one‑year streak for the Cowboys, who had captured the trophy with a 28-0 shutout in 2025.
Game summary
Wyoming opened the scoring with two field goals in the first half, but CSU answered with a steady drive that put the Rams ahead at halftime. The third quarter saw the Cowboys add a touchdown, narrowing the gap, yet turnovers and interceptions plagued UW, giving CSU ample opportunities to extend its lead.
In the second half, CSU’s offense exploded, scoring three more touchdowns while the defense forced additional turnovers. The final score of 35-15 reflected a dominant performance by the Rams, who capitalized on UW’s mistakes and controlled the clock throughout the latter half of the contest.
Significance of the rivalry
The Border War, a rivalry dating back to 1899, is one of the oldest and most fiercely contested matchups in college football. The Bronze Boot, a bronze replica of a cowboy boot, has traveled back and forth between the two schools for more than a century, symbolizing regional pride and tradition.
This year’s game was the first Border War played after CSU’s move to the Pac‑12 conference, a shift that sparked speculation about the future of the rivalry. Despite the conference change, both schools agreed to keep the annual contest, underscoring the importance of local tradition over conference realignment.
Community impact
The game drew a sizable crowd to Canvas Stadium, energizing the Fort Collins community and providing a festive atmosphere for alumni, students, and local families. Local businesses reported a surge in activity, with restaurants and hotels seeing increased patronage from visiting fans.
For CSU supporters, the victory not only secured the Bronze Boot but also reinforced the Rams’ competitive standing within the Pac‑12. For Wyoming fans, the loss serves as a reminder of the work needed to reclaim the trophy in future seasons.
Looking ahead
Both programs will turn their attention to the remainder of the 2026 season. CSU aims to build on this momentum as it navigates a new conference schedule, while UW hopes to regroup and address the turnover issues that proved costly in the Border War.
The Bronze Boot will travel back to Fort Collins for the next year’s showdown, where the rivalry will once again test the resolve of both teams and their passionate fan bases.
Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.
