Well, that was exciting.
Nevada pulled out its most thrilling win in recent memory last week, with a 37-34 overtime victory over San Jose State on Saturday.
The win not only ended a three-year losing streak on Senior Day for the Pack, and pushed the winning streak to three games, but made Nevada bowl eligible for the 10th time in 11 seasons.
Junior quarterback Tyler Stewart has been a game manager much of the season but won the game last Saturday, leading a game-tying drive in the last two minutes and winning the game in overtime.
The win undoubtedly gives Nevada momentum going into the final two games of the season, with conference title aspirations still mathematically alive. The Pack trails San Diego State for first place in the Mountain West-West by two games with two games to play before playing the Aztecs, on the road, in the regular-season finale.
Nevada goes to Utah State on Saturday looking to remain in the conference title picture.
Kickoff is at 12:30 p.m. and will be aired on ESPN3.
About the Aggies
Coach: Matt Wells (third season, 24-14)
2014 Finish: 10-4, 6-2 (third in Mountain West-Mountain)
2015 Record: 5-5, 4-3
Quarterback: Like last week, Nevada will face a dual-threat quarterback. Kent Meyers throws for 210 yards a game and rushes for 49. He’s thrown 14 touchdown passes compared to just two interceptions while throwing just two interceptions. He’s rushed for three touchdowns.
Dangerous Weapons: Utah State has the Mountain West’s No. 8 total offense so it doesn’t have any real game breakers. The Aggies go with a by-committee approach. Devante Mays leads the team in rushing with more than 65 yards a game. He also has seven rushing touchdowns. Hunter Sharp, however, is one of the better wideouts Nevada will see this year. Sharp has caught seven touchdowns this season and averages almost 75 receiving yards a game. Both stats are team highs.
What to look for
–The Aggies aren’t going to wow anyone with individual offensive numbers but have the conference’s No.3 scoring offense, scoring 29.9 points a game.
-Utah State has one of the Mountain West’s worst rushing attacks. Its 170.4 rushing yards a game are better only than Fresno State and Hawaii.
-Nevada’s offense starts on the ground, rushing for almost 221 yards a game. That rushing attack will go at a Utah State rushing defense that allows just 142.6 yards a game, fourth best in the Mountain West.
Prediction
Nevada needs this one to remain in the Mountain West title picture. Not only does the Pack need to win, but it also needs San Diego State to lose at UNLV (3-7). Big road wins have been few and far between for the Wolf Pack in the Brian Polian era and despite a thee-game winning streak, win No. 7 is going to be a challenge.
Utah State 33, Nevada 24
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