WEEK 13 GAME SCHEDULE
Friday, November 22, 2024
UNLV Rebels at San José State Spartans*
FS1 7 p.m. PT
REBELS vs. SPARTANS NOTES…
SJSU leads the all-time series 20-7-1 and has won four straight vs. the Rebels, including seven straight in San Jose … First-year SJSU HC Ken Niumatalolo coached TEs at UNLV under John Robinson from 1999-2001 … SJSU DL coach Bojay Filimoeatu was a member of the Rebel staff in 2022.
UNLV Rebels Notes
FRIDAY’S PREVIEW…
Looking to win on the road against the Spartans for the first time since 1993, No. 23/23 UNLV (8-2/4-1) makes its final regular-season road trip to San José State (6-4/3-3) Friday night on FS1 … The Rebels will be playing a road game as a ranked team for the first time ever after returning to the polls this week, including a best-ever No. 23 in the AP … UNLV made its first-ever appearance in the Coaches Poll on Sept. 15 and then joined the AP version for the first time two weeks later before an OT loss to Syracuse … This will mark the last of a school-record five Friday games this fall … The Rebels are attempting to start 9-2 overall for the second consecutive season under head coach Barry Odom and have won a school-record seven consecutive road games dating back to last season … UNLV has won its first five road games in a season for the first time ever and a victory on Friday would make this the first Rebel squad ever to go 6-0 in away games … The only seasons UNLV went undefeated on the road were its inaugural campaign in 1968 and its NCAA D-II semifinalist season of 1974 when the Rebels played just two away games apiece … At 17-7, Odom is the first UNLV coach to be 10 games over .500 at the school since Tony Knap retired with a 47-20-1 mark in 1981 … The 17 wins in 24 games under Odom represent the most victories over any two-season span since the Rebels went a combined 18-6 in 1983-84 … The Rebels are 9-2 in true road games under Odom after only winning eight total road games in the previous six seasons (8-25) … All-American WR Ricky White III leads the nation with his four blocked punts this season, which is more than any other FBS TEAM in 2024 … UNLV is tied for fourth in the nation in turnover margin at plus-13 as the Rebel D has forced at least one turnover in 22 of 24 games under DC Michael Scherer … The Rebels, who have not committed more than one turnover in any game this fall, have scored an eye-popping 81 total points off TOs while allowing just 14 such points from opponents … PK Caden Chittenden, who is tied for the national lead with 2.2 FG PG, has tied the league’s freshman single-season record of 22 set by frosh Matt Araiza of San Diego State in 2019.
MORE REBELATIONS…
The Rebels, who are bowl-eligible in back-to-back seasons for the first time ever, are 16-1 under Barry Odom when leading after the third quarter and 6-0 this fall when scoring first … With two more takedowns vs. SDSU, UNLV has already surpassed its QB sacks total from last year (26) with 30 on the season, which ranks second in the MW and is the most for the program since posting the same amount in 2000 … After having just one 100-yard individual rushing game in 2023, the Rebs already boast eight century-mark outings from five different players this fall, including twice having two in the same game (at USU and at Hawai’i) … Three-time 2024 MW Defensive Player of the Week Jackson Woodard is currently 13th in the nation with 1.2 passes defended per game after posting an eye-popping total of five at USU … UNLV is staging a historic season on the scoreboard as its 39.9 points-per-game average ranks sixth in the nation and is on target to shatter the school record of 34.9 PPG in 1980 … Under the current coaching staff, the Rebels have scored at least 40 points 13 times in 24 games and their three games scoring at least 50 points this season is only matched by the 1974 and 1980 squads … The 504 net rushing yards UNLV gained vs. Utah Tech in Game Two are the most of any team in the nation this season by nearly 50 yards … After limiting three of its opponents to less than 70 yards rushing, UNLV sits 22nd nationally with 111.5 yards allowed per outing … UNLV also leads the league in pass efficiency and sits second in pass efficiency defense … Since UNLV’s change at QB, WR Ricky White III has 53 receptions for 705 yards and seven TDs in the last seven games and has gone for at least 100 yards in 10 of his last 15 regular-season games … After bringing in 11 in the last seven games, the Rebs are tied for fourth in the FBS with 16 team interceptions. In fact, since the beginning of 2022, UNLV’s defense has 48 picks, which is the most in the FBS during that span (Oklahoma is second with 43) … With the win at Oregon State, the Rebels earned three victories over “A5” opponents in the same season for the first time … With a win at Houston and a victory at Kansas, UNLV became the first non-conference team ever to have multiple road wins against Big 12 competition in the same season … Not counting blocks, UNLV has not returned a punt for a touchdown in 23 years — the longest drought in the nation. The last Rebel to do it was Troy Mason, who went 52 yards vs. San Diego State on Oct. 13, 2001, at Sam Boyd Stadium … However, when Jai’Den Thomas went 90 yards into the end zone vs. Fresno State, UNLV snapped a 13-year drought by returning a kickoff for a score for the first time since Deante Purvis sprinted 98 yards to the end zone vs. CSU on Oct. 29, 2011 … Marshall Nichols finished with the second-highest season punting average in school history last fall as his 47.1 yards per attempt ranked sixth in the nation and sat only slightly behind 1984 All-American Randall Cunningham’s 47.5 rate. Nichols is averaging a robust 43.3 this season, which would rank 34th in the nation if he had enough attempts to qualify for the NCAA stats … UNLV QB Hajj-Malik Williams, who stands 14th in the country in pass efficiency, needs just 134 net yards after just seven starts to become the Rebels’ single-season record-holder for rush yards by a QB. He has at least one rush and one pass TD in six of his seven starts.
San José State Spartans Notes
OPENING DRIVE • The defending co-regular season Mountain West champions look for their fourth bowl game in the last five years and a third bowl game in a row for the first time in SJSU history. • With a 24-13 win at Oregon State (11/9/24), the Spartans are bowl-eligible for the third season in a row for the first time since having four straight seasons with winning records from 1989-92. • The Spartans are 12-5 in their last 17 games overall and are 9-3 in their last 12 conference games. • At 6-4, the Spartans have the best record out of every California FBS school and are the only California school to clinch bowl eligibility so far. • The Spartans have won seven bowl games ever, new head coach Ken Niumatalolo has six bowl wins as a head coach. • The Spartans had 11 first-time FBS starters in their game vs. Sac State (8/29/24), which was the fifth most in the country. The Spartans have started 20 first-time FBS starters through six games, the country’s third-most. • The Spartans have seven home games for the first time since 2006 and are 14-3 in their last 17 games at CEFCU Stadium and 20-6 at CEFCU Stadium since 2020. • The Spartans end the regular season with three straight home games for the first time since 1979. • This is the first time ever the Spartans have hosted ranked teams on back-to-back weeks. The Spartans have played ranked teams back-to-back seven teams and as recently as last season at No. 6 USC and home against No. 18 Oregon State. • The Spartans had five takeaways against Sac State (8/29/24), which was the most takeaways for SJSU since having six against New Mexico on Oct. 4, 2019. • SJSU has forced 23 turnovers this season, which is good for fourth in the nation and first in the MW. The Spartans’ 16 interceptions are good for second in the nation and first in the Mountain West. • Against Nevada (10/5/24), the Spartans had no turnovers for the only time this season. • According to Stats Perform, Nick Nash has a receiving touchdown in 10 consecutive games, the longest active streak in FBS and an SJSU record. It’s the longest streak to start a season in MW history. • Nash has more touchdown receptions (14) than 47 FBS schools have thrown this season. • Also, according to Stats Perform, Nash has nine games this season, recording at least 90 yards, the most by any FBS player. Nash has at least seven receptions in eight games this season, with 90 or more receiving yards. The last MW player to have more games with 90+ receiving yards and 7+ catches in a single season than Nash was Colorado State’s Rashard Higgins in 2014 (nine). • This season, Nash leads all FBS players outright in receptions (95), receptions per game (9.5), receiving touchdowns (14), receiving yards (1,282) and receiving yards per game (128.2). Nash is the third FBS player since 1996 to have 50+ receptions and 8+ touchdown receptions through the team’s first four games of the season (Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree in 2007 and Louisiana Tech’s Troy Edwards in 1998). • Nash is the new SJSU single-season record holder with 95 receptions. Noel Grigsby had 89 in 2011 and is now second in SJSU history. Zay Jones has the FBS single-season record of 158 in 2016 for ECU. • Nash was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week (9/16/24) following his career-high 17 receptions for a career-best 225 yards with three touchdown catches in the game. It was the second time in his career Nash has caught three touchdown passes in a game (8/26/23 at No. 6 USC). • Nash is second in SJSU history with 23 receiving touchdowns and has only been a true wide receiver for 24 games. He is six away from the record by Chandler Jones from 2010-13 and his 14 touchdowns are one away from the SJSU single-season record of 15 by Jones in 2013. • Nash broke the SJSU regular-season reception record of 15 against Kennesaw State with 17 receptions (9/14/24) set by Tuati Wooden (vs. Tulsa, 2003), Steven Pulley (vs. Stanford, 1999), and Guy Liggins (vs. Fresno State, 1986). • Nash had 17 (9/14/24 vs. Kennesaw State) and 16 receptions (9/20/24 at WSU). The 17 receptions are tied for the most for an FBS wide receiver in a single game this season. • Nash has 10 or more receptions in four games this season, which ties an SJSU record (Evan Jurovich, 2007). • According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Nash leads the country as a slot receiver in catches (83), yards (1,146), receiving touchdowns (14), catches for first downs (55), contested catches (16) and catches gaining 15 yards or more (32).
Saturday, November 23, 2024
San Diego State Aztecs at Utah State Aggies*
CBSSN 1:30 p.m. MT
THE SERIES
• Saturday’s San Diego State-Utah State game will mark the 18th meeting in series history, with the Aztecs owning a 13-4 series lead. • In the last meeting on Nov. 4, 2023, the Aggies escaped with a 32-24 double-overtime victory. Trailing 17-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Aztecs put together a pair of scoring drives, which included a 10-yard touchdown strike from Jalen Mayden to Kenan Christon and then a 23-yard Jack Browning field goal, with 33 seconds left in regulation, to send the game to overtime. SDSU and Utah State each scored a touchdown and PAT on its first overtime possessions. USU opened the second overtime period with a touchdown and forced to go for the two-point conversion in the second overtime period, converted to push the Aggies lead to 32-24. With a chance to tie the game and send it to a third extra period and facing a fourth down and four yards to go, Mayden’s pass attempt to Joshua Nicholson along the sideline was intercepted by the Aggies’ Ike Larsen and returned 62 yards to seal the win for Utah State. • In the previous meeting between the two schools in the 2021 Mountain West Championship, SDSU lost, 46-13, after having 21 players out with a “medical concern,” including all of its tight ends, starting wide receiver Tyrell Shavers and many other important backups. • In the previous meeting on Oct. 31, 2020, San Diego State scored 28 consecutive second-half points en route to a 38-7 win in Logan. Greg Bell rushed for 157 and a touchdown and added a 29-yard touchdown reception in the victory. • SDSU owns an 8-3 advantage in series games played in “America’s Finest City.” The Aggies’ lone victories over SDSU in San Diego came at San Diego Stadium/SDCCU Stadium on Nov. 25, 1967, Sept. 21, 2019, and last year (Nov. 5). USU’s other win was the 46-13 triumph at Dignity Health Sports Complex in Carson, California in the 2021 MW Championship clash. • The Aztecs have claimed all five series meetings in Logan, although the teams have met only twice in the city since Sept. 27, 1975 (a 19-10 SDSU win). • Utah State has won the last two games in the series. The two-game win streak is USU’s longest in the series. • The Aztecs have held the Aggies to 14 points or less nine of the last 12 times the teams have met. • This is the seventh time the teams have met with both being members of the Mountain West (the series is tied 3-3). • Both San Diego State and Utah State will play in the Pac-12 Conference beginning in the 2026 season. • Utah State is one of the two teams that San Diego State will meet annually going forward with the latest three-year schedule rotation, released on July 14, 2022. The announcement came on the heels of the league eliminating football divisions beginning in 2023. According to the Mountain West release, the new schedule rotation, which will allow MW institutions to play each other more often, enhances the opportunity of matching the two best teams in the MW Football Championship Game annually, providing access to the New Year’s 6/College Football Playoff more frequently. The new model, which avoided repeat matchups at the same location from 2022 to 2023, is based on a 2-6 structure where each team will play two guaranteed opponents annually and face six other conference teams. During the three-year cycle, all teams will face nine of 11 opponents at least twice, once at home and once on the road, and two opponents in each of the three years. Utah State and Hawai‘i are the two opponents SDSU will play annually until at least 2023, and San Diego State will play the rest of the league twice.
SDSU-UTAH STATE TIDBITS:
• San Diego State owns a 10-3 series advantage in the Division I era… In those 13 meetings, the Aztecs have won and not trailed six times… Prior to 2019, the Aztecs had not trailed in a home game against the Aggies since 1974… In the last seven meetings, SDSU has scored 65 first-quarter points… In the last six games, the Aztecs have 1,503 yards rushing and 10 rushing touchdowns… SDSU has an edge in rushing offense in eight of the last nine meetings… In the last six games, the Aztecs have 140 pass attempts, total… Total turnovers in the last five games: Utah State 10, San Diego State 5… Two of San Diego State’s top 10 rushing games have come against Utah State (407 yards in 2020 ranks ninth and 400 yards in 2016 is tied for 10th).
San Diego State Aztecs Notes
SAN DIEGO STATE HEADS TO LOGAN TO TAKE ON UTAH STATE
• San Diego State plays its second consecutive road game and final road contest of the season Saturday when it travels to Logan, Utah, to take on Utah State. Kickoff is set for 1:30 p.m. MT (12:30 p.m. PT) on CBS Sports Network and San Diego Sports 760. • The Aztecs (3-7, 2-3 MW) are coming off a 41-20 loss at UNLV Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium. SDSU spotted the Rebels (8- 2, 4-1 MW) the first 21 points of the game and ultimately came up short, snapping its four-game winning streak in the series. • The loss guarantees the Aztecs just their second losing season since the 2009 squad went 4-8. n Following that 2009 season, SDSU won three Mountain West championships (2012 (shared with Boise State and Fresno State), 2015 and 2016), was bowl eligible for 13 consecutive seasons and finished in the Associated Press Top 25 poll on two occasions (2016 and 2021). • San Diego State was outgained by UNLV, 515-270. • Aztec running back Marquez Cooper ran for 97 yards on 26 carries and surpassed 1,000 yards for the season. He now has rushed for 1,062 yards and nine touchdowns on 246 attempts (4.3 avg.). • Cooper is the first SDSU player with a 1,000-yard rushing season since Greg Bell in 2021 (2021 (Bell had 1,091 yards in 14 games). • Cooper is the first player in NCAA FBS history with 1,000-yard rushing seasons with three different teams, including 1,080 and 1,326 while at Kent State in 2021 and 2022, respectively, 1,043 last year at Ball State and 1,062 so far this year. • Cooper’s four 1,000-yard rushing seasons overall are tied for the most in NCAA FBS history. • Cooper is the active leader in FBS play in rushing yards (4,918) and all-purpose yards (5,619), and is third in rushing touchdowns (42), tied for third in total touchdowns (43), and fourth in rushing yards per game (94.6, min. 25 GP). • QB Danny O’Neil, the first true freshman to start a season-opener in SDSU’s Division I history (since 1969), has completed 162 of 267 passes (60.7 pct.) for 1,752 yards and 11 touchdowns with six interceptions, while posting a 124.9 pass efficiency rating. He scored his first rushing touchdown on Saturday night at UNLV, making him the first player not named Marquez Cooper with a rushing touchdown this season for San Diego State. • EDGE Trey White was held without a sack or tackle for loss but is still having a tremendous season. White ranks third in the country in total sacks (11.5), sacks per game (1.15), total tackles for loss (16.5), tackles for loss per game (1.70) and total tackles for loss yards (94), and eighth in total sack yards (61). He leads the Mountain West as well in all of those categories. • White is already tied for sixth in SDSU single-season history with 11.5 sacks along with current Kansas City Chief Cameron Thomas (11.5 in 2021), only trailing Mike Douglass (21.0 in 1976), Brett Faryniarz (13.0 in 1987), Andy Coviello (12.5 in 1991) and Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila (12.0 in 1997 and 1999). • Last month, White was added to the Bednarik Award Watch List for the most outstanding defensive player and was named to five midseason All-America teams. • The San Diego State special teams has continued to impress as this year’s unit is ranked sixth in the country, according to ESPN’s special teams efficiency rating (70.1). The Aztecs have won five of the nine Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year awards
Utah State Aggies Notes
KICKOFF COVERAGE
• Utah State (3-7, 2-3 MW) continues Mountain West play this weekend as it hosts San Diego State (3-7, 2-3 MW) on Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1:30 p.m. (MT). The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network (Xfinity Ch. 269/753HD, DISH Ch. 158, DirecTV Ch. 221) with Chris Lewis (play-by-play) and Taylor McHargue (analyst) on the call. • Utah State will honor 22 seniors prior to the game in OL Falepule Alo, OL Wyatt Bowles, WR Colby Bowman, QB Jacob Conover, RB Rahsul Faison, CB Jaiden Francois, LS Jacob Garcia, P Stephen Kotsanlee, ILB Jon Ross Maye, OL Cole Motes, PK Elliott Nimrod, QB Spencer Petras, DE Ioholani Raass, WR Jalen Royals, DE Cian Slone, DE Blaine Spires, TE Josh Sterzer, DT Seni Tuiaki, S Torren Union, S Jordan Vincent, ILB Clyde Washington and WR Kyrese White. USU is 71-42-3 (.625) all-time on Senior Day and has won seven of its last 11 games. • Utah State is 54-37 (.593) all-time in Mountain West play, including a 29-18 (.617) home record. USU has the third-best record against MW opponents since it joined the league in 2013. Boise State (79-17) has the best record, while San Diego State (62-31) has the second-best record. Overall, USU is 51-25 (.671) in its last 75 home games. • Utah State is second in the Mountain West and 14th in the nation in passing offense (287.4 yards per game) and third in the MW and eighth in the nation in total offense (463.9 ypg). • Senior RB Rahsul Faison has rushed for 991 yards this year and is just nine yards shy of his first-career 1,000 yard rushing campaign. Overall, he would be one of 16 players in USU history to rush for 1,000 yards 20 times. For his career, Faison ranks 14th all-time in school history with 1,727 rushing yards. • Senior RB Rahsul Faison has seven career 100-yard rushing games, including five this season, which is tied for the second-most in the Mountain West. • Graduate QB Spencer Petras is first in the Mountain West and sixth in the nation in completions (26.13 pg), first in the MW and eighth in the nation in passing (286.0 ypg), second in the MW and 14th in the nation in total offense (291.5 ypg), third in the MW and 31st in the nation in completion percentage (.653), and third in the MW and 36th in the nation with 17 touchdown passes. • Graduate QB Spencer Petras has set career highs this year in completions (209), attempts (320), passing yards (2,288) and passing touchdowns (17). On the season, Petras has one 400-yard passing game and three 300-yard passing games, both of which are tied for the most in the Mountain West. • Senior S Jordan Vincent is the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week after recording a career-high two interceptions to go along with five tackles against Hawai’i last weekend. • Senior S Jordan Vincent is second in the Mountain West and 12th in the nation in tackles per game (9.2). Vincent has 11 career double-digit tackle games, including seven this season, which are the most in the MW and tied for the third-most in the nation. • Utah State forced a season-high five turnovers on five interceptions in its last game against Hawai’i. Those five picks are the most by an Aggie team since the 1971 club tied the school record with seven interceptions against Idaho.
SCOUTING SAN DIEGO STATE
• San Diego State is 3-7 on the season and 2-3 in Mountain West play following its 41-20 loss at UNLV last weekend. The Aztecs are led by freshman QB Danny O’Neil, who is 162-of-267 (.607) passing for 1,752 yards (194.7 ypg) with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions. Senior RB Marquez Cooper leads the team in rushing with 1,062 yards on 246 carries (4.3 ypc/106.2 ypg) with nine touchdowns. And senior WR Ja’Shaun Poke leads the team in receiving as he has caught 42 passes for 383 yards (9.1 ypr/38.3 ypg) with one touchdown. Defensively, sophomore LB Tano Letuli leads the team with 54 tackles, which includes 2.5 tackles for loss. As a team, San Diego State is averaging 21.6 points and 324.7 yards of total offense (123.9 rushing, 200.8 passing), and allowing 28.3 points and 416.4 yards of total offense (188.9 rushing, 227.5 passing). Sean Lewis is in his first season as the head coach at San Diego State and is 27-38 in his sixth season as a collegiate head coach.
AGGIES vs. AZTECS SERIES 19TH-MOST PLAYED IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State and San Diego State will be meeting for the 18th time in series history this weekend in what is the 19th-most played series in school history
SERIES NOTABLES BETWEEN UTAH STATE AND SAN DIEGO STATE
The following are series notables between Utah State and San Diego State dating back to 1967 and encompassing the last 15 meetings. • Utah State’s 400 yards of total offense in last year’s meeting are its most in series history. • Utah State’s 46 points and 318 passing yards in the 2021 Mountain West Championship Game are its most in series history. Conversely, San Diego State’s 13 points in that game were its fewest against USU in its previous eight games dating back to 1976. And, SDSU’s 315 yards of total offense were also the fewest in the series dating back to 1976. • Prior to Utah State’s 23-17 road win in 2019, San Diego State had scored at least 40 points in each of the previous three games in the series, and had won each of the last four games in the series and nine of the last 10 overall by double digits. • Prior to the 2019 meeting, Utah State had not scored more than 20 points against San Diego State in each of the previous 10 meetings, and was held to single digits in five of those contests, which included one shutout. USU has since scored 20-plus points in three of its last four games vs. SDSU. • In the 2019 meeting, Utah State held the Aztecs to under 100 yards rushing for the first time in five meetings and for just the fourth time in the last 15 matchups. • The team that has more yards of total offense has won 14 of the last 15 games in the series. In fact, USU has had less than 300 yards of total offense in eight of the last 11 games played in the series. Conversely, San Diego State has had at least 400 yards of total offense in six of the last 13 games played between the two teams. • San Diego State has controlled the time of possession in each of the last seven games in the series. • San Diego State has committed fewer turnovers in 11 of the previous 15 meetings. However, USU has just one turnover total in its last three wins in the series. • San Diego State is 6-3 in the series when scoring first and 8-2 when leading at the half, while Utah State is 1-5 when scoring first and 2-2 when leading at the half. • Utah State has had three 100-yard receivers, three 100-yard rushers and one 300-yard passer in series history. • San Diego State has had two 300-yard passers and six 100-yard receivers in series history, to go along with five 100-yard rushers.
UTAH STATE IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
• Utah State is 182-199-8 (.478) all-time against current members of the Mountain West with a 41-28-4 record vs. Wyoming, a 38-39-2 record vs. Colorado State, a 20-21-1 record vs. San José State, an 18-9 record vs. UNLV, a 17-14 record vs. New Mexico, a 13-19-1 record vs. Fresno State, a 13-6 record vs. Hawai`i, an 8-19 record vs. Nevada, a 5-24 record vs. Boise State, a 5-7 record vs. Air Force, and a 4-13 record vs. San Diego State. • Utah State is 54-37 (.593) all-time in Mountain West play, including a 29-18 (.617) record in home games and a 25-19 (.568) record in road games. • Utah State (54-37) has the third-best record against Mountain West opponents since it joined the league in 2013. Boise State (79-17) has the best record and San Diego State (62-31) has the second-best record.
UTAH STATE IN THE PAC-12
• The Pac-12 Conference Board of Directors announced on Sept. 24, 2024, that is has voted unanimously to admit Utah State University, an esteemed institution recognized for its excellence in both academics and athletics, to the conference effective July 1, 2026. Competition will begin for all conference sports in the 2026-27 academic year.
#13 Boise State Broncos at Wyoming Cowboys*
CBSSN 5 p.m. MT
#13 Boise State Broncos Notes
Wyoming Cowboys Notes
A Ranked Foe in the War:
Wyoming will host a ranked foe and College Football Playoff contender No. Boise State on Saturday. The Pokes are 13-65 all-time against ranked opponents with wins over Texas Tech and Fresno State last season. Wyoming does have a ranked win over Boise State downing the Broncos in Laramie by a score of 30-28 on Oct. 29, 2016. The Broncos were ranked No. 13 in the nation in that contest.
A Tough Schedule:
The Wyoming Cowboys have played a tough schedule this season. Wyoming this week faces No. 12/13 Boise State. That is the only ranked team that Wyoming will play at home. In the recent polls, Five of Wyoming’s opponents are receiving votes or are ranked in the top-25. Colorado State is receiving votes and Washington State ranks No. 25 in the Associated Press Poll.
Shay has Career Day:
Linebacker Connor Shay had a career day at Colorado State recording a career-high 12 tackles. It marked his first career double-digit tackle contest of his career. He also added a tackle for loss in the game and ranks second on the team with season with 62 tackles with 6.2 tackles per game ranking 20th in the MW conference.
Harris Settling In:
Defensive end DeVonne Harris missed time this season with an injury. He recorded a season-high six tackles with a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery at Colorado State. He has three tackles for loss for the season and has 21 tackles for loss in his career with the Cowboys, as he is nearing the top-10 in career tackles for loss at UW.
Jayden Williams in the Middle:
Interior defensive lineman Jayden Williams has recorded a solid redshirt freshman season for the Cowboys with 26 tackles for the season. He recorded a career-high seven tackles for the Brown and Gold at Colorado State.
Ferrell with a Big Run:
Running back Jamari Ferrell finished the game at Colorado State with six carries for 74 yards. Ferrell recorded a 62-yard rush in the third quarter for the longest of his career. In his last two games, Ferrell has rushed for 163 yards in his last two games for the best stretch of football in his career in the Brown and Gold.
Sargent Stepping Up:
Wide receiver Jaylen Sargent has also had his best stretch of football the last two games for the Brown and Gold. At Colorado State, Sargent recorded three catches for 45 yards. In his last two games, Sargent has recorded 231 yards after recording 186 at New Mexico.
Westland Racks Up Tackles:
Defensive end Tyce Westland and DeVonne Harris had strong games at Colorado State with 14 tackles combined as the group is shorthanded due to injuries. Westland had eight tackles against the Rams tying a career best. For the season, Westland has 34 tackles and two sacks. The former eight-man player from Nebraska also has 4.5 tackles for loss.
Pelissier Hauls in Catches:
Wide Receiver Will Pelissier grabbed a season-high three receptions at Colorado State recording 35 yards and has five catches in his last two games. He was also targeted on two pass interference calls. He has 12 catches on the season for the Brown and Gold.
Bertagnole and Tackles for Loss:
Defensive tackle Jordan Bertagnole will go down as one of the top Cowboys to play the position in program. He ranks in the top-10 in career tackles for the Cowboys with 25 for his career. He had four tackles and a half tackle for loss at Colorado State.
Hoyland Knocks in Season-Long:
Cowboy kicker John Hoyland knocked in a 49-yard field goal at Colorado State for a season long. He has 68 field goals for a school record and has 350 points in his career which is also a school record.
The KING of Returns:
Cowboy wide receiver Tyler King has been solid all season long returning kicks. He ranks second in the nation this season averaging 28.3 yards per return. He has also added over 100 yards rushing and has 18 receptions for 242 yards for the season.
Cowboy Defense on Third Down:
The Cowboys head into the contest with the Broncos ranking fifth in the nation in third-down defense. That number also leads the Mountain West Conference. Opponents are converting at 28.5 percent on third-down this season. The Cowboy opposition hasn’t recorded more than four first downs in a game since the season opener against Arizona State.
Air Force Falcons at Nevada Wolfpack*
FS1 7:30 p.m. PT
THE GAME
• The Falcons lead the series, 5-2, overall. Air Force is 3-1 at home and 2-1 at Nevada. The Falcons have won four of the last five in the series. Five of the seven games have been decided by seven points or less. • Air Force defeated Nevada, 48-20, in 2022 in Falcon Stadium in the last meeting. The Falcons defeated Nevada, 41-39, in triple overtime in 2021 in the last meeting in Reno. • Air Force enters the game on a two-game winning streak, its best since opening the 2023 season with an eight-game winning streak. • Air Force has averaged 32.0 points per game while allowing 14.0 the last two games. The Falcons averaged 13.8 points while allowing 26.5 the first eight games of the season.
Air Force Falcons Notes
LAST SEASON
(Sept. 23, 2022) Air Force defeated Nevada, 48-20, in Falcon Stadium. Air Force jumped to a 10-0 first-quarter lead behind a field goal from Matthew Dapore and an 80-yard touchdown connection from Ben Brittain to David Cormier. Following a Nevada touchdown, Brad Roberts added the first two of his three touchdown runs to give the Falcons a 24-7 halftime lead. Roberts added his third touchdown run to open the third quarter to push the lead to 31-7. Dapore added a 51-yard field goal and Emmanual Michel scored a 26-yard rushing touchdown to give Air Force a commanding 41-7 lead late in the third quarter. Nevada scored two late touchdowns and Air Force added another to make up the final margin. The Falcons finished with 541 total yards, including 461 rushing. Roberts led the way with 123 yards and three touchdowns on 20 carries. John Lee Eldridge III added 102 yards rushing. Air Force had 30 first downs, held the ball for 43:41 and was 10-15 on third down conversions. The defense held Nevada to 242 total yards and 11 first downs. Alec Mock led the defense with eight tackles. Toa Taua led the Wolf Pack with 73 yards rushing and two touchdowns on seven carries.
LAST TIME AT NEVADA
(Nov. 19, 2021) Air Force defeated Nevada, 41-39, in triple overtime in Reno. Junior tailback DeAndre Hughes powered the Falcons with a career-high 208 yards and two touchdowns as the Falcon rolled up 499 total yards, including 476 rushing. Brad Roberts chipped in 117 yards and a touchdown while Haaziq Daniels added 59 yards. Nevada came from down 24-10 in the fourth quarter with a pair of Carson Strong touchdown passes to force overtime. Dane Kinamon scored in the first overtime, but Nevada matched. Both teams scored touchdowns and two-point conversions in the second overtime. Air Force scored on a Roberts one-yard run and Hughes added the conversion to force a third overtime. Daniels scored the two-pointer, then Camby Goff deflected Nevada’s pass attempt to seal the win. Nevada finished with 369 total yards, including 340 yards passing and four touchdowns from Strong. Air Force’s defense was led by Vince Sanford, who had six tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss, and Jordan Jackson, who had five tackles and 3.0 tackles for loss.
AIR FORCE PLAYING ITS BEST FOOTBALL
• Air Force is on a two-game winning streak after victories over Fresno State and Oregon State. The inexperienced Falcons opened the season 1-7. • The Falcons have improved in nearly every offensive and defensive category. • Air Force is scoring 32 points per game during the streak while giving up just 14.0. • Air Force had 42 players make the first start of their career during the first eight games. No players have done it the last two weeks.
AIR FORCE OFFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force recorded season highs for rushes (80), rushing yards (344), plays (86), first downs (24), third-down conversions (10), fourth-down conversions (5) and time of possession (45:08) vs. Fresno State. • The Falcons added 23 first downs and had 41:56 in time of possession vs. Oregon State. Air Force did not punt vs. Fresno State and had just one, good for 52 yards, vs. Oregon State
AIR FORCE RUSHING
• Air Force’s 209.4 rushing average is the highest it’s been this season. The team ranks fourth in the MW and 14th nationally this week which are both season bests. Air Force rushed for a season high 344 yards vs. Fresno State and added 270 vs. Oregon State. • Air Force finished second in the nation in rushing last season with a 281.5 average. • Air Force won three straight national rushing titles from 2020-22. The Falcons are just the second school to win three straight titles and first since 2008. Air Force was the only program to average over 300 yards each season. • Air Force went wire-to-wire for the first time in program history while winning the 2022 title, leading the nation since the first week of the season, setting a new school record for consecutive weeks leading the nation with 14. • Air Force has won the national rushing title four times overall in program history. National title years: 2002 (307.8), 2020 (305.7), 2021 (327.7), 2022 (326.7).
DEFENSIVE NOTES
• Air Force has held 20 of last 30 opponents to 21 points or fewer dating back to 2022. • Air Force has done it five times this season (Merrimack, 6; San Jose State, 17; Colorado State, 21; Army, 20; Oregon State, 0). • Air Force defeated Oregon State, 28-0, to record its first shutout since beating New Mexico, 28-0, in 2020. The Falcons held OSU to just nine first downs, 175 total yards and zero trips inside the 20. • Air Force’s defense recorded a season best for rushing yards allowed, holding Fresno State to -5 yards on 12 carries. The 12 carries is the second fewest allowed in program history and lowest since holding Washington State to eight in 2019. The -5 yards rushing is the ninth best in program history and best since holding BYU to -21 in 2002. The -0.4 yards per carry is the sixth-best in Air Force history and best since -0.2 vs. BYU in 2002. • Air Force held Army to a field goal on its first possession, marking the first time this season the Black Knights failed to score a touchdown on its opening drive. • Air Force also held Army to 152 yards below their season average of 359 yards rushing per game. • Air Force held Army to six first-half points, its lowest output of the season.
Nevada Wolfpack Notes
ABOUT AIR FORCE
Air Force has found a groove over the past few weeks, picking up back-to-back wins over Fresno State and Oregon State after a 1-7 start. The Falcons shutout the Beavers at the Academy this past Saturday, rolling to a 28-0 win. As always, the Falcons bring one of the nation’s top rushing attacks into the contest. Air Force averages 209.4 rushing yards per game, 14th in the country, and has seven players with at least 100 yards on the ground, led by 370 from Dylan Carson and 360 from Quentin Hayes.
THESE ONE-POSSESSION GAMES
Nevada head coach Jeff Choate has been very clear that the Wolf Pack does not do moral victories in 2024, although the Pack has now played seven games decided by one score after Nov. 9’s 28-21 loss at No. 12/14 Boise State. Nevada is 2-5 in those one-score games, with the victories coming Aug. 31 at Troy (28-26) and Oct. 12 against Oregon State (42-37).
NO LETUP IN THE SCHEDULE
Nevada’s 2024 schedule has set up as one of the nation’s toughest. Notably, the Wolf Pack has the rare distinction of playing three 2023 FBS conference champions in 2024, with the first two coming back-to-back to start the campaign: Aug. 24 – vs. SMU (2023 American champion) – L, 29-24 Aug. 31 – at Troy (2023 Sun Belt champion) – W, 28-26 Nov. 9 – at Boise State (2023 Mountain West champion) – L, 28-21 Oregon (Michigan, Washington, Boise State) is the only other FBS school to play three 2023 FBS conference champions in 2024. Additionally, Nevada has already played two teams currently (through Nov. 12) ranked in the CFP Top 25, and lost one-possession games to both: 29-24 on Aug. 24 against current-No. 14 SMU; 28-21 on Nov. 9 at current-No. 13 Boise State. Both teams are currently ranked in the Associated Press Poll (Boise State No. 12, SMU No. 13), and a third Nevada opponent, UNLV (Nov. 30) broke back into the poll at No. 23 Monday.
CHANCE TO END THE SEASON ON HIGH NOTES
While the Wolf Pack is out of bowl contention for 2024, it has a chance in these final two games to build some momentum going into the offseason. Nevada can wrap a final home win this Saturday against Air Force, and snap a twogame slide against the Falcons. Finally, on Nov. 30, the Wolf Pack will travel to Las Vegas for the Battle of the Fremont Cannon against arch-rival No. 23/23 UNLV. The Rebels took the cannon in 2022, and recapturing the trophy would be a big way for the Wolf Pack to springboard into 2025.
LEWIS AMONG THE MOUNTAIN WEST’S TOP QBs
Quarterback Brendon Lewis continues to rank among the top Mountain West quarterbacks after another quality, dual-threat effort against No. 12/14 Boise State. Against the Broncos, Lewis both ran and passed for a touchdown, extending his streak to five games with a rushing score. Overall, he finished 17-for-26 for 232 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 32 yards and another score. On the year, Lewis has had a hand in just over half of the Wolf Pack’s 37 touchdowns (12 passing, eight rushing), while completing 67.5 percent of his passes for 1,730 yards with 692 rushing yards. Among Mountain West quarterbacks, Lewis leads in rushing yards, ranks second in completion percentage, third in total offense (2,422 yards) and fourth in total offense per game (242.2 ypg).
LEWIS AND RED DEADLY ON THE GROUND
Nevada’s run game has experienced a positive overhaul in 2024, as the Wolf Pack is one of just two teams in the conference with two players among the Mountain West’s top-10 rushers. Quarterback Brendon Lewis ranks seventh with 692 rushing yards, while running back Savion Red is eighth at 676. While Lewis and Red share the team lead with eight scores on the ground, they, along with Patrick Garwo III (five rushing touchdowns) have accounted for all 21 of Nevada’s rushing touchdowns in 2024.
COATS JR. CONTINUES CAREER SEASON
Cornerback Michael Coats Jr.’s career season has been getting even better with each game. Coats Jr. recorded his fourth interception of the season Oct. 26 at Hawai’i, and is tied for third in the nation. His 13 pass breakups continue to lead the country, heading into Week 12. Coats’ coverage has been one of the highlights of the Nevada secondary’s improved performance in 2024. Through 11 games, Nevada’s defense has already broken up 44 passes, surpassing last season’s total of 32. Along with Coats’ national-best 13, the Pack secondary is reinforced by seven from Kitan Crawford and six from Chad Brown.
AMONG THE NATION’S BEST IN THE RED ZONE
Nevada’s red-zone performance on offense has been a significant turnaround in 2024. On offense, the Wolf Pack has converted 31 of 34 red-zone trips into points, the 91.2-percent rate ranking 20th in the country and third in the Mountain West. Of Nevada’s 34 trips, 28(!) have resulted in touchdowns, an 82.4-percent rate. That rate has, so far, well out-distanced the Pack’s 2023 rate in which it only scored 16 touchdowns on 35 red-zone trips (45.7 percent).
CASHING IN ON THE MONEY DOWN
Another key category in which Nevada is among the nation’s best is on third-down conversions. On the “money down,” Nevada’s 47.6-percent success rate ranks 14th in the country and second in the Mountain West. The Wolf Pack’s success on third down has been key in extending drives, and holding onto the ball, contributing well to Nevada’s average time of possession of 31:29, which is third in the Mountain West and ranks 30th in the country
Colorado State Rams at Fresno State Bulldogs*
CBSSN 7:30 p.m. PT
SERIES HISTORY
Overall: 6-10-0 In Fresno: 4-5-0 In Colorado: 2-4-0 Neutral: 0-1-0 Streak: FS +1 Last Meeting: FS def CSU 38-17 in Fresno on Oct. 29, 2020, Last FS Win: Same
Colorado State Rams Notes
NOTING THE RAMS
• The Rams are in year three under head coach Jay Norvell who was named the program’s 24th head coach on Dec. 6, 2021. Norvell led his former program, Nevada, onto Sonny Lubick Field in the 2021 finale on Nov. 27 and returned to Fort Collins nine days later as the Rams’ new head coach. • Colorado State is a winning football program! With a 21-13 victory at Air Force on Oct. 19, the Rams went above .500 for the first time under head coach Jay Norvell and the first time since 2017. When the Rams marched into Reno on Nov. 2, they took home a 38-21 victory to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2017. • CSU’s offensive line has been one of the best in the nation, and the numbers back it up. In addition to paving the way for 187.6 rushing yards per game (32nd nationally), the Rams front unit has surrendered just eight sacks across the entire season, the fourth-best mark in the nation. Behind the Mountain West’s most seasoned player Jacob Gardner (55 starts in 55 career games) and Drew Moss (44 career starts), The Mob is creating nightmares for opposing defenses. • Colorado State’s defense has been locking up the Mountain West. The Rams have held MW opponents to just 14.8 points per game through five games, the top mark in the league and the only mark below 20. • The turnaround of the CSU run game in 2024 cannot be understated. In 2023, the Rams mustered just 92.2 yards on the ground per game, which was the ninth worst mark nationally. This season the Rams are racking up 187.6 rushing yards per game, which has them among the top 40 in the nation. It is the fourth-largest increase by any FBS team and largest by any MW team. The Rams have also gone from 10 rushing touchdowns last season to 16 already in 2024. • Colorado State has kept it clean this season, only being knocked for 44.0 penalty yards per game This marks ranks 27th nationally and is second in the MW to Air Force (31.6 YPG). • Colorado State set a Canvas Stadium – and program – record with 40,099 fans in attendance for the Rocky Mountain Showdown on Sept. 14. It also marked back-to-back sellouts after Ram Nation turned out for the home opener against Northern Colorado on Sept. 7. In total, Colorado State has sold out four of its first six home games of the season.
NOTING THE GAME
• The Rams and Bulldogs will meet for the 17th time in a series that Colorado State leads 10-6 all-time. This is the first meeting between the two teams since 2020, with CSU winning three of the last four matchups. • CSU is seeking a sixth-straight win and eighth total this season. The Rams have won eight-or-more games just twice in the last 20 years (2013, 2014).
Fresno State Bulldogs Notes
SETTING THE STAGE
• Fresno State will honor its senior class on Saturday night before kickoff. The Bulldogs will honor 16 seniors who are out of eligibility – Offense: Mac Dalena, Jake Boust, Daniel Taumalolo, Kingsley Ugwu, Mose Vavao, Osmar Velez, and Braylen Nelson; Defense: Kavika Baumgartner, Devo Bridges, Malachi Langley, Tuasivi Nomura, Tyler Mello, Steven Scheidt, Dean Clark, Kosi Agina and Cam Lockridge. • This senior class has players on it from the 2019 team. Since then, the group has accumulated 41 total wins, three bowl game victories and earned a Mountain West Championship title. • Of the 16 seniors being honored on Saturday, eight of them began their careers with Fresno State. • Fresno State and Colorado State are meeting for the first time since 2020 on Saturday. • The last meeting between the teams was a Fresno State victory, marking Kalen DeBoer’s first career win as a Div. I head coach. • Fresno State is coming off of its second bye week of the season while Colorado State comes to Fresno after competing in the Border War, its rivalry game with Wyoming. • Saturday is Fresno State’s final Mountain West game of the 2024 season. The Bulldogs will travel to the Rose Bowl to face UCLA in the final regular season game of the year. • With a win on Saturday, Fresno State would become bowl eligible for the fourth straight sesaon. • The Bulldogs have won their last five bowl games, an active streak that is third in the nation behind Georgia and Minnesota with seven each. • Skipper would be the fourth first-year head coach to lead the Bulldogs to a bowl game, joining Alvin Pierson (1945), Tim DeRuyter (2012) and Jeff Tedford (2017). Tedford is the only one to have led the team to a victory, defeating Houston in the Hawaii Bowl that season. That win by Tedford and Co. sparked the Bulldogs’ current bowl game winning streak. • Fresno State interim head coach Tim Skipper spent four season (2012-14) at Colorado State as the linebackers coach and assistant head coach. • QB Mikey Keene set a program record with a 88.5 percent completion percentage (23-of-26) at Air Force. He owns the program’s single game pass completion percentage record (more than 20 attempts) after passing Derek Carr’s record of an 87.5 percent mark against Air Force in 2012. • Keene’s 70.4 percent completion percentage is the ninth best in the FBS and leads the MW. His number is currently second all-time in program history, behind Jake Haener’s 72 percent in 2022. • Keene has a 67.6 percent completion percentage in his collegiate career. It is the sixth best among all active FBS quarterbacks. • Fresno State had four players tackle in double digits last time out against Air Force. • Fresno State was led by Tuasivi Nomura with 18 tackles. It was the most tackles in a game by a Bulldog since 2014. • Fellow linebacker Malachi Langley is currently sixth all-time in Fresno State history with 312 career tackles. • At Air Force, Jalen Moss opened up the game with a 41 yard kickoff return. It was the longest return of his career, and the longest by a Bulldog since Malik Sherrod’s 95-yard return for a touchdown in 2023.
Bowling in the horizon
With a win on Saturday, Fresno State would become bowl eligible for its fourth consecutive season. It would be the first time since the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 seasons that Fresno State appeared in a bowl game in four-straight seasons. Last year, the Bulldogs defeated New Mexico State 37-10 in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl. Fresno State has a 17-15 all-time bowl game record. The Bulldogs have won their last five bowl games, an active streak that is third in the nation behind Georgia and Minnesota with seven each. Tim Skipper would be the fourth first-year head coach to lead the Bulldogs to a bowl game, joining Alvin Pierson (1945), Tim DeRuyter (2012) and Jeff Tedford (2017). Tedford is the only one to have led the team to a victory, defeating Houston in the Hawaii Bowl that season. That win by Tedford and Co. sparked the Bulldogs’ current bowl game winning streak.
MOUNTAIN WEST NOTES
• Ten Mountain West teams take the field in Week 13, with three squads vying for two spots in the 2024 Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship.
• Boise State is No. 13 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. The Broncos are No. 12 in the Associated Press poll and No. 13 in the US LBM Coaches (AFCA) poll this week. UNLV moved back into the rankings at No. 23 in both of those polls.
• Boise State would clinch a spot in the championship game with a win against Wyoming on Saturday or a UNLV loss to San José State on Friday. The Broncos would clinch the right to host the championship game with a win and a Colorado State loss to Fresno State on Saturday. Colorado State would clinch a spot in the championship game with a UNLV loss Friday and a win Saturday. UNLV would be eliminated from championship game participation with a loss and a Colorado State win and cannot clinch a spot in the championship game this weekend. In the event of a three-way tie between BSU, CSU and UNLV at 6-1 or a head-to-head tie between BSU and CSU or CSU and UNLV, the tiebreaker would go to CFP rankings or results-based computer metrics, as CSU did not play either BSU or UNLV in the regular season.
• The Mountain West has the strongest nonconference schedule in the FBS. MW teams have 35 nonconference games scheduled this season against Autonomous 4 opponents, the most of any FBS league (counting Notre Dame, Oregon State and Washington State as A4 teams), with the next-closest totaling 27.
• MW teams have played 12 one-possession games against A4 opponents this season, with four of those games settled in overtime or on the final play of regulation. • The MW has eight wins against A4 opponents this season, more than the combined total of its four peer conferences (five). • Since 2018, the MW has the best winning percentage over Autonomous 5 teams (28.68) among its peer conferences. MW teams have collected 37 wins over such teams in that span, also the most among its peer conferences.
• It’s a new era for the College Football Playoff in 2024, as the five highest-ranked FBS conference champions and the next seven highest-ranked at-large teams will earn spots in the 12-team postseason playoff. With unprecedented access to the CFP, the Mountain West is well-positioned to earn a shot at competing for a national title.
• Mountain West squads have a total of 21 nonconference games this season against teams that have been ranked or receiving votes at the time of the game or future opponents who or are currently ranked or receiving votes in the US LBM Coaches (AFCA) and/or AP top-25 polls, including eight at home.
LEAGUE STRENGTH
The MW is one of three FBS conferences with multiple teams that are undefeated in conference play this season, joining the AAC and Big Ten. Only two MW teams don’t have multiple conference wins, which is tied for the fewest such teams by any FBS conference.
GOING BOWLING
Four MW teams are going bowling so far. UNLV topped Oregon State for its sixth win of the season in Week 8 and will be going bowling in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history. Boise State downed UNLV in Week 9 to become bowl eligible for the 27th consecutive season, the second-longest active streak in the nation behind Georgia’s current 28-season run. Colorado State defeated Nevada 38-21 in Week 10 to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2017. San José State dropped Oregon State in Week 11 to become bowl eligible for the third straight season. Fresno State (5-5) would join the ranks with a win over Colorado State this week.
MW OWNS THE RUN GAME
It’s not just Jeanty. The Mountain West on the whole has dominated the run game across the FBS this season. Three MW squads are in the top 10 in the FBS in rushing, led by Boise State at No. 3 with 258.7 yards per game. UNLV is sixth at 249.1 per contest and New Mexico is seventh at 248.9. New Mexico quarterback Devon Dampier leads the FBS in yards per carry at 7.72, while Boise State is second in the team rankings at 6.47. Dampier is second in the MW with 1,065 rushing yards this season (behind Jeanty) and is the first Lobo quarterback to ever surpass 1,000 yards rushing in a season. His rushing total is the most by a MW quarterback in a season since Nevada’s Cody Fajardo in 2012 (1,121). Boise State has outrushed its opponent in nine games this season, with Tennessee (10) being the only FBS team to do so more. Colorado State is averaging 187.4 rushing yards per game this season compared to 92.8 per game in 2023, the fourth-largest increase by any FBS team (+94.6) and largest by any MW team. The Rams have also gone from 10 rushing touchdowns last season to 16 in 2024. There have been 20 200-yard individual rushing efforts this season, and seven of them have come from MW players, including four by Jeanty. Only one other league, the ACC, has produced more than two.
HAVE RUN GAME, WILL TRAVEL
Continuing the running theme, San Diego State’s Marquez Cooper is the active career rushing leader in the FBS with 4,918 yards. With 97 yards in a Week 12 setback at UNLV, Cooper surpassed 1,000 for the season and became the first player in FBS history with 1,000 yards at three different institutions. He also hit the hallowed mark at Kent State in 2021 and 2022 and at Ball State in 2023.
SACK CENTRAL
Boise State is second in the FBS in sacks with 4.10. The Aztecs’ Trey White is third in the FBS this season in sacks per game (1.15), total sacks (11.5), tackles for loss (16.5) and TFLs per game (1.7).
WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
San José State (16) and UNLV (16) rank fourth in the FBS in passes intercepted, with the Spartans fourth with 23 turnovers gained and the Rebels fourth in turnover margin at 1.30. UNLV has committed just six turnovers and Boise State just seven to rank second and eighth, respectively, in the FBS. The Rebels have committed no more than one turnover in any of their 10 games this season. The only MW team to ever have a longer such streak to begin a season was San José State in 2022 (11). Six MW players rank in the top 10 in interceptions, paced by Fresno State’s Cam Lockridge and UNLV’s Jalen Catalon tied for second with five each. Boise State’s Andrew Simpson and Fresno State’s Korey Foreman are tied for eighth with 0.33 forced fumbles per game.
DUAL THREATS
New Mexico’s Devon Dampier has three games this season with 175-plus passing yards and 100-plus rushing yards, matching the MW record in a season held by Wyoming’s Brett Smith (2013), Nevada’s Cody Fajardo (2012) and Colorado State’s Bradlee Van Pelt (2003). UNLV’s Hajj-Malik Williams has two such games this season. Hawai‘i’s Brayden Schager is one of just nine FBS QBs with more than 15 passing TDs and more than five rushing TDs this season.
SCORING IN BUNCHES
Boise State ranks third in the FBS in points per game this season (43.6), while UNLV is tied for sixth in the category (39.9). The last MW team to finish in the top six nationally in points per game was Utah State in 2018 (second), while the MW has never had two teams finish in the top six in the same season. Boise State has won six games this season by 20-plus points, with Ohio State and Oregon being the only FBS teams with more this season (seven each).
