Cowboys Classics: Talk to the hand

CHEYENNE -- Austyn Carta-Samuels will return to Laramie Aug. 31 for the first time in nearly a decade.

And he's bringing his Missouri Tigers with him.

He is the Director of Character & Culture Development. But don't let that name fool you, he is very much a quarterback's coach. He even found the Tigers a gem during the offseason in Clemson transfer, Kelly Bryant.

Before ACS returns to War Memorial Stadium as the enemy, let's take a look back at some of the moments that made the Wyoming faithful love the little quarterback from northern California.

During the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Carta-Samuels was the Cowboys signal caller. He relieved Robert Benjamin as the full-time starter in week 4 at home against UNLV.

The Pokes escaped the Rebels, 30-27 that day and went on to win three straight to give Wyoming a 4-2 record.

Just when it looked like the Cowboys were destined to go bowling for the first time since 2004, they lost three in a row to Air Force, Utah and BYU. Wyoming was shutout twice. They were outscored 82-10.

In a road tilt against San Diego State, Carta-Samuels and the Cowboys trailed 27-6 after three quarters. Wyoming was staring at a fourth straight loss and a date with conference powerhouse TCU the following week.

This was a must-win. To say the least.

Carta-Samuels scored from 10 yards out to begin the fourth quarter. Alvester Alexander broke free for a 33-yard touchdown on the next drive. Carta-Samuels hit David Tooley on a nine-yard scoring strike to tie the score in the fourth.

An Ian Watts' 43-yard field goal with 23 seconds remaining lifted the Pokes to the improbable win.

They just had to beat Colorado State in Ft. Collins to go bowling.

You can read what happened there here:

Wyoming would go on to knock off Fresno State 35-28 in double overtime in the New Mexico Bowl that season. The Cowboys had found their quarterback -- or so they thought.

After a dreadful 3-9 season the following year, Carta-Samuels announced he was leaving the program.

You can read why here.