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FORT COLLINS, Colo. — Sophomore Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi threw three of his four touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and ran for the go-ahead score as Colorado State used a run of 29 consecutive points to beat Utah State 42-37 on Friday to close the regular season.
Fowler-Nicolosi went to work for the Rams (8-4, 6-1 Mountain West Conference) after the Aggies (4-8, 3-4) scored two touchdowns in the final 67 seconds of the third quarter to take a 30-13 lead.
Fowler-Nicolosi threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Vince Brown II and a 22-yarder to Jordan Ross with six minutes remaining to get the Rams within 30-28.
Dominic Morris picked off Barnes four plays later, giving Colorado State the ball on the Aggies' 19-yard line. Fowler-Nicolosi ran it in from 3 yards out and the Rams took a 35-30 lead with 2:32 left to play. Utah State turned the ball over on downs and Fowler-Nicolosi hit Brown for a 26-yard touchdown to cap the Rams' scoring.
Bryson Barnes had a touchdown run and a touchdown pass in the first quarter to put Utah State in front 13-0.
Fowler-Nicolosi threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dane Olson with 19 seconds left to get the Rams within 16-13 at halftime.
Barnes and Otto Tia teamed up for a 14-yard score and Jaiden Francois picked off Fowler-Nicolosi on the next play from scrimmage and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown to push the Aggies' advantage to 17.
Fowler-Nicolosi finished with 370 yards on 31-for-46 passing. Olson led the receivers with five receptions for 140 yards.
Barnes threw for 189 yards and rushed for 185 more to lead Utah State.
Colorado State has eight wins in a season for the first time in a decade.
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