San Jose State 34, New Mexico State 24
Despite only one win in its first four games, San Jose State has proven it may be a contender in the WAC this season. Led by a pair of seniors, quarterback Matt Faulkner and running back Brandon Rutley, the Spartans amassed 450 total offensive yards, handing the Aggies their third loss of the 2011 season. Following a 78-yard touchdown run from New Mexico State’s Kenny Turner which would put the Aggies up 24-17, the Spartan defense clamped down while the offense thrived. Two consecutive San Jose touchdowns, followed by a field goal, gave them a 34-24 advantage and the Spartans wouldn’t look back from there. Rutley rushed for 209 yards and two touchdowns while Faulkner threw for 236 yards and two touchdowns.
Texas Tech 35, Nevada 34
The Wolf Pack staged a raid of their own Saturday, but could not contain the Texas Tech offense in the second half. The Red Raiders clinched the win with 36 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter when quarterback Eric Ward hooked up with Seth Doege. Nevada led by two touchdowns in the third quarter but only managed two field goals in the fourth, while the Raiders converted two touchdowns. Doege was 22 for 38 with two touchdown passes and 222 passing yards. Nevada quarterbacks Tyler Lantrip and Cody Fajardo combined for 250 passing yards and two touchdowns. The Wolf Pack (1-2) take on No. 4 Boise State Saturday with hopes to upset the Broncos for the second straight year.
Hawaii 56, UC Davis 14
Quarterback Bryant Moniz tossed seven touchdowns in the first half and the Warriors steamrolled a subpar Aggie team. The Hawaii defense prevented UC Davis from scoring until midway through the third quarter when the Warriors were already leading 49-0. The hosts had a chance to see four quarterbacks take snaps, although Moniz would be the only one to complete a touchdown pass. The senior racked up 424 total passing yards, completing 75 percent of his passes. UC Davis was held to less than 200 total offensive yards while the Warriors posted 637. Hawaii is now 2-2 and will open up WAC play next week in Ruston, La., against La. Tech.
Mississippi State 26, Louisiana Tech 20
An overtime period was necessary to decide which Bulldogs squad would come out on top of a dogfight that lacked any kind of offense whatsoever. After an La. Tech field goal put the game at 20-20 with nine minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, both defenses held their own, forcing overtime. Quarterback Chris Relf connected with LaDarius Perkins for a 17-yard touchdown pass and the Mississippi State Bulldogs earned their second win of the season. Three interceptions were thrown and four field goals were converted in a defensive battle between two teams that have struggled to prove themselves.
Colorado State 35, Utah State 34
Another WAC fell to a rival conference in overtime, but this time double overtime was required to settle things. The Rams tied it up with 42 seconds remaining and both teams scored during the first overtime. The second overtime saw Colorado State punch it in first but Utah State responded with a touchdown of their own. Aggie coach Gary Anderson opted for the win and a two-point conversion but the Rams denied the attempt from running back Robert Turbin and walked away with the victory. Turbin led the Aggies with four touchdowns and 115 total rushing yards, but the passing game failed to show any consistency as USU quarterback Chuckie Keeton only completed nine passes for 86 yards. Ram CSU sophomore Chris Nwoke ran for 85 yards and two touchdowns, including one in the second overtime.