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ENLARGE
Nevada's Kevin Grimes, a former Bear River High School star, prepares to hit Fresno State kick returner A.J. Jefferson. Grimes caused a fumble on the play. One of five turnovers forced by the Wolf Pack in the win.
It had the makings of a classic match-up of Western Athletic Conference rivals. The Fresno State Bulldogs, winners of five straight games, coming into Mackay stadium to take on the Nevada Wolf Pack, winners of six straight and yet to lose within the conference.
The Bulldogs have the nation's No. 1 rusher in Ryan Mathews who has rushed for over 100 yards in nine straight games facing a Wolf Pack defense yet to allow a 100 yard rusher all season. And what were the Bulldogs going to do to contain the nation's #1 rushing offense and No. 2 overall in the Wolf Pack?
The answers were clear early as Nevada piled up 461 rushing yards to 112 for Fresno State in a 52-14 Wolf Pack victory. The big blow coming when Pack safety Jonathon Amaya knocked Mathews out of the game with a concussion in the second quarter. Mathews ended with only 32 yards on 8 carries.
Vai Taua led Nevada with 179 yards and 2 touchdowns on runs of 50 and 65 yards. Senior Luke Lippincott added 149 yards and 3 touchdowns and quarterback Colin Kaepernick ran for 95 yards and two more touchdowns as Nevada scored 45 unanswered points to seal the victory. Saturday also marked the fourth time this season Nevada has been able to rush for over 400 yards.
Fresno State quarterback Ryan Colburn had hit on touchdown passes of 57 and 3 yards to Jamel Hamler and Seyi Ajirotuttu to take a 14-7 lead. But what looked to be a shootout quickly became a rout.
"Defense was outstanding, we gave up two quick ones, very easy ones, then we played some defense." Head coach Chris Ault. "Our defense has arrived, we needed that to happen, we've been waiting."
The Wolf Pack also forced five turnovers, Bear River High school graduate Kevin Grimes forced one of them with a crushing hit on Fresno kick returner A J Jefferson in the fourth quarter.
Grimes also added another tackle. Cornerback Khalid Wooten had an interception for the second consecutive week for Nevada. Fresno State quarterback Ryan Colburn, forced to abandon the running game was able to amass 362 passing yards but the stingy Nevada defense was able to make the big plays and held the Bulldogs scoreless the remainder of the game after Fresno State seemed to score at will their first two drives.
Nevada now moves to 7-3 overall and 6-0 in the WAC which puts them on a collision course with undefeated and BCS contender Boise State for the WAC championship. But Ault was quick to not look too far ahead.
"We're playing New Mexico State next week and they beat us here at Mackey Stadium (last year) we haven't forgot that," Ault said.
With the loss Fresno State drops to 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the WAC and will host Louisiana State next week before ending the season at Illinois.
Nevada Union graduate and Bulldog starting right guard Andrew Jackson has an injured knee and did not play.
The Bulldogs have the nation's No. 1 rusher in Ryan Mathews who has rushed for over 100 yards in nine straight games facing a Wolf Pack defense yet to allow a 100 yard rusher all season. And what were the Bulldogs going to do to contain the nation's #1 rushing offense and No. 2 overall in the Wolf Pack?
The answers were clear early as Nevada piled up 461 rushing yards to 112 for Fresno State in a 52-14 Wolf Pack victory. The big blow coming when Pack safety Jonathon Amaya knocked Mathews out of the game with a concussion in the second quarter. Mathews ended with only 32 yards on 8 carries.
Vai Taua led Nevada with 179 yards and 2 touchdowns on runs of 50 and 65 yards. Senior Luke Lippincott added 149 yards and 3 touchdowns and quarterback Colin Kaepernick ran for 95 yards and two more touchdowns as Nevada scored 45 unanswered points to seal the victory. Saturday also marked the fourth time this season Nevada has been able to rush for over 400 yards.
Fresno State quarterback Ryan Colburn had hit on touchdown passes of 57 and 3 yards to Jamel Hamler and Seyi Ajirotuttu to take a 14-7 lead. But what looked to be a shootout quickly became a rout.
"Defense was outstanding, we gave up two quick ones, very easy ones, then we played some defense." Head coach Chris Ault. "Our defense has arrived, we needed that to happen, we've been waiting."
The Wolf Pack also forced five turnovers, Bear River High school graduate Kevin Grimes forced one of them with a crushing hit on Fresno kick returner A J Jefferson in the fourth quarter.
Grimes also added another tackle. Cornerback Khalid Wooten had an interception for the second consecutive week for Nevada. Fresno State quarterback Ryan Colburn, forced to abandon the running game was able to amass 362 passing yards but the stingy Nevada defense was able to make the big plays and held the Bulldogs scoreless the remainder of the game after Fresno State seemed to score at will their first two drives.
Nevada now moves to 7-3 overall and 6-0 in the WAC which puts them on a collision course with undefeated and BCS contender Boise State for the WAC championship. But Ault was quick to not look too far ahead.
"We're playing New Mexico State next week and they beat us here at Mackey Stadium (last year) we haven't forgot that," Ault said.
With the loss Fresno State drops to 6-4 overall and 5-2 in the WAC and will host Louisiana State next week before ending the season at Illinois.
Nevada Union graduate and Bulldog starting right guard Andrew Jackson has an injured knee and did not play.
