La. Tech 38, San Jose State 28
Both teams owned convincing 2-1 WAC records before Saturday’s match-up. La. Tech maintained its status as a one-loss team following a dismal performance from the visiting Spartans. Despite three passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown and 327 passing yards, Matt Faulkner threw four interceptions — the most costly being a third-quarter pick returned 30 yards for a La. Tech touchdown, making it a four-score game. Faulkner would throw for two more touchdowns and the San Jose State defense held La. Tech scoreless in the fourth quarter but it was too little, too late. The Spartans turned the ball over five times, had trouble preventing the pass, and was victim to a 90-yard touchdown pass from Colby Cameron to Quinton Patton midway through the second quarter. Cameron got his first start of the season over freshman Nick Isham, who was sub-par in last week’s game against Utah State. The junior completed 62 percent of his passes for 237 yards and two touchdowns. Five went to Patton, who had 116 receiving yards and two touchdowns. San Jose State rushed for 12 yards, compared to 260 from the Bulldogs. San Jose State hosts Idaho Nov. 5 while La. Tech makes the long haul to California to face Fresno State.
Nevada 48, New Mexico State 34
The Wolf Pack remained the team to beat in the WAC this season as they overcame an early deficit to handle the Aggies Saturday in Las Cruces. Aggie quarterback Matt Christian accounted for three of New Mexico State’s four first-half touchdowns that led to a 27-20 halftime lead. Behind freshman quarterback Cody Fajardo, Nevada’s running game responded in the second half. Fajardo ran for his third and fourth touchdowns of the game in the third quarter and Lampford Mark exploded for an 80-yard touchdown run early in the fourth. Christian connected with Todd Lee for a 36-yard touchdown pass to close the gap but Nevada’s Stefphon Johnson ran in his second of the game, giving the Wolf Pack a 14-point cushion with eight minutes remaining. Fajardo was Colin Kaepernick like with four touchdown runs, 60 rushing yards and 283 passing yards. Christian relied on his arm — throwing for 432 yards and three touchdowns in addition to three interceptions. Six Nevada players combined for 374 rushing yards, and Mark went for 185 yards on just eight carries. The Wolf Pack move to 5-3 overall and 3-0 in conference, and will host Hawaii next weekend for an ESPNU-televised game.