FORT COLLINS, Colo. – After 125 years, the rivalry between Colorado State University and Wyoming is still going strong.

The Rams have lost seven of their past eight games, but they hope to end the losing streak on Friday night.

There hasn’t been much at stake other than pride in recent Border War games. However, CSU is now bowl eligible for the first time since 2017, and the Rams have a path to reaching the Mountain West title game.

Before Friday night’s game, thousands of Rams fans gathered outside Canvas Stadium. The CSU marching band and cheerleading corps led the “bring it home” chants and eagerly awaited the return of the Bronze Boot trophy.

“We want the Bronze Boot,” said Jalen Daugherty, a CSU freshman.

‘Bring it home’: Colorado State fans hope to end Border War losing streak

Saturday’s match will be Daugherty’s first time in a Border War match. Although the freshman is new to the rivalry, he already has an intense dislike for the rival school. He said a joke last year from Wyoming fans left a bad taste in his mouth.

“The University of Wyoming came down and painted UW all over our campus,” Daugherty said.

CSU sophomore Judah Wier echoed the sentiment.

“I didn’t like seeing UW every day. I don’t want to see it while I’m walking to class,” Wier said. “I want to see CSU everywhere.”

The young students are part of a new generation of rivals, but many former students still remember the old battles. Gary Morley became a CSU fan more than 30 years ago. Every game, he and a group of friends drove into Lot A and raised the CSU banners above their cars.

“Wyoming and Colorado are the two biggest games of the year,” Morley said.

After three decades of Border War games, Morley said his favorite memory was the 1990 Bronze Boot game, a bone-chilling battle that ended in a CSU victory.

“It was so cold I could barely move,” Morley said.

There’s more than just the Bronze Boot at stake in this year’s Border War game. The art museum of the winning school may exhibit a work of art from the losing museum throughout the school year.

Trophy, art and pride – there’s enough at stake to make any historic rivalry sing.

“Bring it home,” Daugherty said. “The boot is coming home!”