Watch: Izzy Matthews game-winning touchdown for CSU over New Mexico

Colorado State is bowl eligible for a third straight season. And, luckily for the Rams, they’ve found a solid backup running back in freshman Izzy Matthews.

Matthews came on when Jasen Oden left the game injured in the second quarter. And while Dalyn Dawkins was still the featured running back, Matthews came through when it was most needed.

Following DeAndre Elliott’s massive field goal block, Nick Stevens led the offense down the field 92 yards for the game-winning score, which was run in by Matthews.

Matthews nearly ran the score in from 11 yards out on the previous play, though replay revealed he was tackled down exactly five inches short of the goal line. The referee said so himself. From five inches away, Matthews walked in untouched.

Up 26-21 at that point, with 8:41 remaining, Rams head coach Mike Bobo elected to go for the 2-point conversion, which was successful when Joe Hansley caught a pass from Stevens.

That pushed the Rams lead to 28-21 with 8:41 to play; Colorado State forced two more turnovers, both interceptions, and held on to win by that score.

Matthews finished with 15 carries for 89 yards, a stellar 5.9 yard per carry average.

More CSU – New Mexico

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• Watch: Trent Matthews interceptions sets up Deionte Gaines touchdown run
• Watch: Kivon Cartwright’s touchdown gives CSU 14-7 lead