Nevada allowed Wyoming to run for 401 yards on Saturday night at Mackay Stadium and suffered its first home loss of the season, 42-34.
The Wolf Pack dropped to 3-5, 1-3 in the Mountain West and now must win three of its final four games to become bowl eligible for the 11th time in 12 seasons. Wyoming, one of the biggest surprises in the Mountain West this year, improved to 5-2, 3-0.
Stud Wyoming back Brian Hill ran for a career-high 289 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries (10 yards per carry) against a depleted Nevada defense.
Nevada starting quarterback Tyler Stewart suffered a shoulder injury early in the loss and had to leave. He did not return. Sophomore Ty Gangi came on in relief and was spectacular. He completed 27-of-43 passes for 300 yards and a touchdown. He also ran for 35 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.
His only turnover of the night came in the final minute. After executing a two-minute drill to sneak within eight, Gangi was awarded the chance to drive 57 yards in 40 seconds and potentially tie the game thanks to an onside kick recovery.
His first attempt went straight to Wyoming linebacker Logan Wilson, who Gangi did not see sitting in zone.
With Gangi at the helm, Nevada’s offense, which has struggled all season, compiled 479 yards. The 34 points were the most scored outside of the 38-14 win over Buffalo.
The Wolf Pack now takes a much-needed week off to get healthy before going to New Mexico (4-3, 2-1) on Nov. 5. Nevada is 0-4 on the road this year.
Postgame notes
-Sophomore DE Malik Reed recorded a sack in his fourth consecutive game. He had two, his first career multi-sack game.
-Redshirt freshman kicker Spencer Pettit connected on a career-long field goal that put Nevada on the board in the second quarter. The 45-yard field goal was also a season-long for Nevada. He finished 2-of-3 on field goal attempts, also hitting from 44.
-Senior WR Jerico Richardson extended his streak of consecutive games with a reception to 27 games.
-Sophomore QB Ty Gangi established all career-high numbers after subbing in for an injured Tyler Stewart in the first quarter. He scored his first career touchdown, a 17-yard run up the middle in the second quarter and threw his first career touchdown pass in the third.
-Gangi’s 300 passing yards are the most passing yards by a Nevada quarterback since Cody Fajardo threw for 306 against Boise State on Oct. 4, 2014.
-Nevada as a team accumulated 347 passing yards, which is the most since Oct. 4, 2013 when it threw for 393 at San Diego State. Between Stewart and Gangi, they completed 31 passes, the most since 31 completions against Colorado State on Nov. 9, 2013.
-Nevada’s 479 yards of total offense are the second-most this season and is the most since the Buffalo game on Sept. 17.
-Nine different receivers caught a pass for Nevada, tied for a season-high with the Cal Poly game.
-Nevada scored on five straight possessions during the game, a season-high.
-The Wolf Pack’s 32 first downs are tied for a season-high (also had 32 against Buffalo on Sept. 17).
-Senior WR Hasaan Henderson posted season-highs in receptions (seven) and receiving yards (89).
-Senior TE Jarred Gipson established a season-high in receptions with three. He caught his first touchdown pass of the season in the third quarter, a season-long 27-yard reception.
-Junior RB James Butler scored his sixth and seventh rushing touchdowns of the season and 22nd of his career. It was his first rushing touchdown since the Buffalo game on Sept. 17.
Leave a Reply