New Mexico Bowl: Fresno State Drops Double OT Decision to Wyoming

This wasn't how the season was supposed to end, not like this and not to Wyoming.

Unfortunately for Fresno State, it's exactly the way it ended as the Bulldogs dropped a 35-28 decision to the Cowboys in double overtime. Ending an already disappointing season for the Bulldogs.

A few weeks after head coach Pat Hill was given a contract extension by the university, the Bulldogs were supposed to make good on that extension and show the Fresno State fans that they could close out the season strong.

Right from the start of the game, it was clear that Fresno State wanted to show up, show their 'Bulldog' name and All American rusher (Ryan Mathews) and expected Wyoming to roll over.

Wyoming controlled the Fresno State defense, doing something that Fresno State had made themselves famous for, using the ground game to their advantage.

The Cowboys finished with 234 yards rushing and got three passing touchdowns, as well as 68 yards rushing, from quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels.

Where Fresno State goes from here won't be known at least until after the holidays. There's been no details released on Pat Hill's contract extension, but with the loss to Wyoming, those terms could possibly change.

The Bulldogs have lost three of their last four bowl games including the last two appearances in the New Mexico Bowl and are 0-4 against Mountain West teams in bowl games.

It ends a season that has been disappointing in more ways than one. It's a team that has underachieved and that was proved in a season ending loss to a team that had no business even being in the same stadium with the Bulldogs.

This was a more talented team coming into the game, a team that had stayed with BCS teams Boise State and Cincinnati as well as taking Wisconsin to overtime before dropping a 38-35 decision.

The team lacks leadership on both sides of the ball and changes will need to be made next season if they are going to be a much different team from the one that left the Central Valley with more questions than answers.

Over the next few months, Pat Hill and his coaching staff will turn their attention to recruiting. But once spring drills start, decisions will need to be made if the results in 2010 are going to be a complete turnaround from the way 2009 ended.