LARAMIE -- It took Trey Smith 19 collegiate games to get here.

It's been a long haul, but Saturday night, it all seemed worth it.

Not many were smiling after the Cowboys escaped with a 21-16 win over FCS foe Idaho Saturday afternoon in front of 28,814 fans inside War Memorial Stadium, but don't count Smith as one of them.

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The pride on his face as he stood behind the podium during his post-game press conference told the tale. He just rushed for 152 yards on 17 carries and scored a 75-yard game-winning touchdown.

It was his second score of the afternoon, and, more importantly, the first 100-yard game of his career.

"Yes, it's been a while and I finally did it," said Smith, who got his first start in a Wyoming uniform Saturday, replacing an injured Xazavian Valladay. "It was great. The O-line did a great job. They kept fighting and finishing their blocks. I'm just really proud of them. I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t for those guys."

Smith showed up when the Pokes needed him most.

Clinging to a 14-13 lead with 10:29 left in the fourth quarter, Smith took a handoff at the Wyoming 25 and burst through the right side of the line. When he got to the second level, he eluded an Idaho linebacker. Then, he was off to the races.

The only question then became, could he score.

"I felt someone touch my arm so I was like, maybe I should get my knees up and try to put us ahead even further," he said.

Who knew he was even that fast?

"I've been working on it over the summer, trying to get faster," Smith joked. "I owe that to the strength coaches for getting me right."

Craig Bohl said he was impressed with Smith's first start.

"I thought it was much better," Bohl said of Smith's latest outing. "He missed some cuts last week ... It was a great day for Trey."

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Smith has been on the big stage before. He grew up with an NFL All-Pro receiver down the hall, his father, Jimmy Smith. He also suited up for Louisville during his first four years of college, where he carried the ball for the Cardinals 82 times for 315 yards and four touchdowns.

He lit up though when he talked about the fans in attendance today.

When a guy of his caliber mentions stuff like that, people listen.

"It felt amazing," he said of his dash to the end zone to put the Pokes up for good. "Having the fans behind me, you know, that’s a feeling I'm going to remember forever. The atmosphere was crazy. I enjoy games here and this whole atmosphere."

Call him crazy, but Smith said he foresaw a run like this happening today. He has the talent, but with Wyoming's passing game faltering, defenses have religiously put eight, sometimes nine, defenders in the box.

That didn't matter today.

"I did feel like I was going to bust one today," he said. "We worked really hard earlier this week. Coach Gordie (Haug) was on us this week about pressing our keys, making the right decisions and being patient. I believe me and Titus (Swen), we did that today, and we had some pretty good things happen for us."

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