The Aggie running game hurt the Spartans for three quarters, but it was Utah State quarterback Adam Kennedy and the passing game that led the hosts to an unfathomable comeback late in the fourth quarter. With 5:19 remaining, the Aggies were down by two touchdowns but Kennedy and receiver Travis Van Leeuwen cut the Spartans’ lead in half after a 14-yard touchdown pass. Kennedy and wide receiver Matt Austin connected with less than a minute left, giving the Aggies a 34-33 lead. Utah State failed on the two-point conversion, but held San Jose State on the ensuing drive and came away with its second straight WAC win. Kennedy threw for 255 yards, two touchdown passes while running back Robert Turbin had 128 rushing yards and two touchdown runs.
La. Tech 27 vs. Ole Miss 7
An upset in the south saw the WAC take down the SEC for the first time this season. The Rebels, who are winless in the SEC, turned the ball over three times, but two of those — a fumble and interception — were returned for La. Tech touchdowns. Ole Miss scored midway through the first quarter, but was held scoreless throughout the remainder of the game. The Bulldogs took a 10-7 lead into halftime and built on it in the second half when they made the most of their opponents’ turnovers. Chad Boyd returned a forced fumble for 33 yards in the third quarter and Javontay Crowe took a pick six yards to close the score sheet and help the visitors become bowl eligible.
New Mexico State 48 vs. Fresno State 45
Someway, somehow, the Aggies were able to escape Derek Carr’s golden arm and come away with their second WAC victory of the 2011 season. Carr threw for 391 yards and three touchdowns, completing 65 percent of his passes, but New Mexico State won it with less than two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter when Matt Christian found Taveon Rogers for a 37-yard touchdown pass. Fresno State receiver Jalen Saunders had seven receptions for 174 yards and two touchdowns, then added another touchdown on the ground. Christian was impressive with 360 passing yards and two touchdowns on 25 for 43 passing. Aggie running back Kenny Turner ran in three touchdowns and compiled 112 rushing yards. The Bulldogs’ Robbie Rouse had two rushing touchdowns, 86 rushing yards and one touchdown reception.
Nevada 42 vs. Hawaii 28
Hawaii proved yet again it could be vulnerable on the road. Wolf Pack quarterback Cody Fajardo lit up the scene with 290 passing yards and three touchdowns, while rushing for 81 yards and one touchdown. The Warriors had a chance in the second quarter when a blocked punt was returned zero yards for a touchdown. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful and with 21 seconds remaining in the half, Fajardo hit Rishard Matthews in the end zone giving Nevada the lead once again. The Wolf Pack didn’t miss a beat in the second half, adding two more touchdowns. Hawaii quarterback Bryant Moniz was replaced early in the first quarter after suffering a leg injury.