WEEK 6 GAME SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4
TIME, TV SIRIUSXM APP/WEB
Syracuse at #25 UNLV
9 p.m. ET, FS1 137, 193, or 381 955 or 971
Series: First Meeting;
Last meeting: N/A
FS1: Trent Rush (play-by-play), Petros Papadakis (analyst)
Syracuse Notes
ORANGE GO ON THE ROAD TO FACE UNLV
• Syracuse hits the road for the first time this season when it visits UNLV. • The game will air on FS1, with Trent Rush (PxP) and Petros Papadakis (analyst) on the call. • After starting the season with four-straight home games, the Orange will play their next three contests on the road. F
RIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS
• Syracuse is in action on a Friday night for the second time this season and the sixth time in the last four years. • The Orange have won seven of their last 12 Friday games, which includes ‘Cuse’s 27-24 win against No. 2 Clemson in 2017 and the 2018 Camping World Bowl victory against West Virginia. • Syracuse has played at least one game on Friday every season since 2010. During that stretch, 19 of the 24 games have been played in the JMA Dome. Of the five remaining games, three were bowl games. • The Orange are 17-12 (.586) in weekday games since beating Kansas State in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl.
MCCORD STANDS ALONE
• QB Kyle McCord is already putting his name in the Syracuse record book four games into his ‘Cuse career. • He recorded a career-high 385 yards passing against Holy Cross to become the first Orange quarterback to throw for 300 yards in four-straight games. • McCord leads the nation in passing yards per game, averaging 364.8 per contest. Additionally, he ranks first nationally in completions per game (28.5). • McCord is already the fourth ‘Cuse quarterback to record four or more 300-yard passing performances in his career. Eric Dungey holds the school career record for 300-yard passing games (12), while Ryan Nassib holds the single-season record (six in 2012). • McCord’s 1,459 yards passing is the highest total for a ‘Cuse quarterback through the first four games of a season in program history.
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
• Friday’s game is the first of three-straight road contests for the Orange. Syracuse is in a 35-day stretch without a game played in the JMA Dome. • It marks the second-straight year that Syracuse will not play a home game in October and go 30+ days between home games. • Prior to the 2023 season, the last time the Orange did have a home game in the month of October was in 2008 when two byes and two road games accounted for the stretch.
SERIES HISTORY
• Syracuse and UNLV will meet for the first time when they take the fi eld on Friday night. • The Rebels are the Orange’s second first-time opponent this season. Syracuse faced Stanford for the first time on Sept. 20 in the JMA Dome. • Since the beginning of the 2000 season, Syracuse has played 18 new opponents, going 12-6 in those games.
NON-CONFERENCE SUCCESS
• Syracuse’s win against Holy Cross marked the Orange’s sixth-straight against non-conference foes during the regular season. • The Orange completed a perfect regular-season record (4-0) outside league play last season for the first time since joining The BIG EAST in 1991. • Since joining the ACC in 2013, the Orange are 31-16 in non-conference, regular-season games, including a 15-3 mark since 2021.
A WIN WOULD …
• Give Syracuse two wins against ranked opponents during the regular season for the first time since 2001. • Give the Orange their first road win of 2024. • Extend the ‘Cuse winning streak against nonconference opponents to seven in regular-season play. • Give Syracuse its 758th all-Ɵ me victory (includes 11 wins from 2004-06 that were vacated by the NCAA). The Orange currently rank 21st on the FBS ledger of winningest programs. Syracuse is one of 34 FBS schools to have accumulated 700+ wins.
UNLV Notes
FRIDAY’S PREVIEW…
The only undefeated team remaining in the Mountain West, No. 25/23 UNLV (4-0/1-0) completes its non-conference slate by hosting a first-ever meeting with Syracuse (3-1/1-1) out of the ACC on Friday evening … The game will be televised nationally on FS1 … This cross-country matchup was announced in January when a long-scheduled series between UNLV and Army was canceled after the Black Knights joined a conference and both the Rebels and Orange needed a replacement game … UNLV is one of 19 undefeated teams left in the FBS and was ranked in this week’s AP poll for the first time since moving to Division I in 1978 … The Rebels earned their first-ever national ranking in the Coaches Poll on Sept. 15 and have since moved up to No. 23 … UNLV has won its first four games for only the fourth time in its 57-year history and for the first time since 1976 … UNLV is coming off a 59-14 win over Fresno State while Syracuse downed Holy Cross at home, 42-14 … 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 … The 13 wins in 18 games under head coach Barry Odom represent the most victories over any two-season span since the Rebels went a combined 16-7-1 in 1984 and ‘85 … Odom’s win percentage of .722 ranks second in school history, trailing only Ron Meyer’s .771 mark set while competing in Division II from 1973-75 … With the August 31 victory at UH, Odom became the first UNLV coach to win his first two season-openers at the school since Tony Knap in 1976-77 … The Rebels are 12-0 under Odom when leading after the third quarter … UNLV is tied for third in the nation with a plus-eight turnover margin as the UNLV defense has forced at least one turnover in 17 of 18 games under DC Michael Scherer … The Rebels have scored 37 total points off turnovers while allowing zero such points from opponents … UNLV returned two All-Americans for the first time in its history — WR Ricky White III and KR/PR Jacob De Jesus. Both were tabbed 2024 preseason All-America.
REBELS vs. ORANGE NOTES…
These programs have never met on the football field … In fact, the Rebels have only faced one team who was a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference at the time of the game as UNLV — then a member of the Big West Conference — fell at No. 22/21 Clemson, 24-14, to open the 1993 season … The Orange’s previous head coach, Dino Babers (2016-23), served as UNLV’s special teams coordinator and RB coach during the 1988 and ‘89 seasons.
MORE REBELATIONS…
The Rebels currently lead the Mountain West in scoring defense at 13.8 points allowed per game (15th nationally) while ranking second in offensive scoring with an average of 45.2 PPG (10th nationally) … The 59 points scored vs. the Bulldogs represented the most UNLV has ever scored against a conference opponent in a regulation game. The Rebels finished with 69 vs. Wyoming in a triple-overtime affair in 2016 at Sam Boyd Stadium … After limiting Fresno State to just 30 net rushing yards, UNLV is now first in the MW and 14th in the nation in yards allowed on the ground with 83.5 per outing. In fact, three of four UNLV opponents this fall have been held under 70 rushing yards … UNLV also leads the league in pass efficiency and sits second in pass efficiency defense … After bringing in four vs. Fresno State, the Rebs are tied for second in the nation with nine team interceptions … Safety Jalen Catalon, this week’s MW Defensive Player of the Week, is tied for the individual national lead with four picks (coincidentally, he is tied with former Rebel Nohl Williams of Cal) … Cameron Oliver also had one of the four interceptions vs. Fresno State, which was the 11th of his career and tied him for fourth place in UNLV history … The Rebels have already earned two victories over “P4” opponents in the same season for the first time since winning at Arizona State and vs. Iowa State — both in overtime — in back-to-back weeks in September 2008 … Counting a 40-37 win over Vanderbilt in Las Vegas last fall, UNLV head coach Barry Odom is now 3-1 vs. P4 teams in regular-season matchups since moving to Las Vegas … The Rebels are now 6-2 in true road games under Odom after only winning five total road games in the previous five seasons (5-22) … Odom also has a 6-1 record in non-conference games during the regular season at UNLV after the Rebels only had a combined six such wins from 2018-22 (6-10) … The KU trip marked the second time UNLV played inside an MLS stadium as the Rebels opened the Covid-shortened 2020 season vs. SDSU at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA, which is home to the LA Galaxy … Against Utah Tech, UNLV finished 8-of-8 in the red zone, including five touchdowns. Overall, the Rebels are 20-of-24 in scoring this fall when entering the red zone … The Rebels listed a school-record 111 players on the Week One roster and 53 of them were not on the team a year ago. That’s actually down from 55 new faces last season. The numbers include incoming high school and JC signees, walk-ons and portal additions … Against Utah Tech, UNLV scored its second-most points in a half in building a 44-7 halftime lead … With the starters pulled after halftime, an eye-popping 89 different Rebels saw action in the game with 27 of them being credited with at least one tackle on defense … The Rebels have made all 22 of their extra-point attempts this fall and 147 straight dating back to the first game of 2020 … UNLV earned its first win over Houston after being outscored 153-23 in three previous meetings … In his first game after transferring from Texas, UNLV safety Jalen Catalon brought in two interceptions at UH, including one he tipped to himself and returned 36 yards for a touchdown … Barry Odom’s second UNLV coaching staff includes just one new assistant coach — and even he is not new to the program as first-year safeties coach Nicco Fertitta served as UNLV’s defensive analyst in 2023 … 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 “Never Nervous” Purvis sprinted 98 yards to the end zone vs. Colorado State on Oct. 29, 2011 … Incredibly, in 2023 had three touchdown drives that lasted less than 10 seconds at UNM last November (:07 after a long punt return, :06 after a fumble recovery and :08 on a long TD pass) and the Rebels’ Go-Go Offense tied with Oregon and Old Dominion for the national lead with 11 touchdown drives under a minute during the regular season … Ray Guy Award candidate 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.
Saturday October 5, 2024
Colorado State Rams vs Oregon State Beavers
THE SERIES:
Oregon State and Colorado State are meeting for just the fourth time, and first since 2017 in Fort Collins. The Beavers, meanwhile, are hosting the Rams for the first time since 1975. CSU holds a 2-1 advantage after the 58- 27 win to open 2017. OSU won the first-ever meeting, 25-14, in Corvallis in 1962. Colorado State then won the 1975 game in Corvallis, 17-8.
Colorado State 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 seeking its first bowl game since 2017, and first under Norvell. Over his five years in Reno (2017-21), Norvell compiled four-straight seven-plus win seasons and led the Wolf Pack to four bowl games. • 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. • Colorado State’s offensive line is full of experience, including the Mountain West’s most seasoned player in center Jacob Gardner (49 starts in 49 career games). Garnder and the Rams’ front unit allowed just 14 sacks last season – tied for 11th in the nation – and have allowed just five through four games in 2024 (tied for 31st). • The Rams will play seven games at home for the first time in program history in 2024, highlighted by a pair of rivalry matchups in the Rocky Mountain Showdown against Colorado (Sept. 14) and The Border War against Wyoming (Nov. 15). The last time both rivals were in Fort Collins the same season was in 1996. • Colorado State is committed to improving on both sides of the rushing game in 2024. Norvell identified 4.0 yards per carry as a number to target, wanting his offense to exceed that number and his defense to hold opponents below it. So far so good as the Rams are currently averaging 4.8 yards per carry and are holding opponents to just 3.8 yards per attempt.
NOTING THE GAME
• This is the third meeting all-time between Colorado State and Oregon State, a series in which the Rams lead 2-0. The two teams are in line to play more frequently with CSU announcing its intentions to join OSU in the Pac-12 Conference in 2026. • A Rams victory on Saturday would give them a winning record through the first five games of the season. The last time CSU achieved that feat was in 2017, which was the also last season in which the Rams earned bowl eligibility. • This is the first road game for Colorado State in over a month. The Rams opened the season against No. 4 Texas in Austin on Aug. 31 before returning home to play three-consecutive games at Canvas Stadium. • Colorado State has been relatively successful in stopping the run this season (113.5 yards per game), but will have their hands full trying to stop the Beavers’ seventh-ranked rushing attack that grinds opponents for 267.8 rushing yards per contest.
Oregon State Notes
Game Notes
• Oregon State returns from its bye week to host Colorado State Saturday afternoon at Reser Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. PT. • The game will air live on The CW. Ted Robinson (play-by-play), Ryan Leaf (analyst) and Nigel Burton (sideline) will call the action. • The game will air live on the Beaver Sports Radio Network. For a list of affiliates, turn to page two of these notes. • Every game this season can be heard live on the Varsity Network, a free application available via computer browsers, smartphones and tablets. After downloading the application, search for Oregon State. • The matchup marks just the fourth all-time between the teams and first in Corvallis since 1975.
Navy Midshipmen vs Air Force Falcons
Falcon Stadium (39,441/FieldTurf) Colorado Springs, Colorado
Television CBS Rich Waltz, Ross Tucker and Tiffany Blackmon
Navy Radio WBAL-AM 1090 (flagship)
THE GAME
Saturday’s game will be the 56th meeting between Navy and Air Force in the first leg of the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy series … Air Force holds a 34-22 lead and has won the last four meetings … Navy’s last win was a 34-25 decision in Annapolis in 2019 … The Midshipmen haven’t won in Colorado Springs since a 28-21 victory in 2012.
NAVY 4-0, 3-0 American
Head Coach Brian Newberry (Baylor ’98) 9-7, second season
Notes
Navy is looking for its first 5-0 start since 2017 … The Midshipmen remained unbeaten with a 41-18 win at UAB, lifting Navy to 3-0 in American Athletic Conference play … The Midshipmen have gone 14-for-14 in the red zone this season, all touchdowns … By comparison, Navy scored 14 red zone touchdowns in the entire 2023 season … QB Blake Horvath ranks 10th nationally in rushing at 112.5 ypg and has 450 yards and eight touchdowns … Horvath has also completed 30 of 44 passes for 637 yards and seven TDs … Horvath is the first FBS player with seven or more rushing touchdowns with seven or more passing touchdowns through four games since Lamar Jackson of Louisville in 2016 … SB Eli Heidenreich has 15 receptions for 348 yards and five touchdowns … LB Colin Ramos ranks second nationally with 12.8 tackles per game.
AIR FORCE 1-3, 0-2 Mountain West
Head Coach Troy Calhoun (Air Force ’89) 131-85, 18th season
Notes
Air Force raced to an 8-0 start to the 2023 season, but the Falcons have gone just 2-7 since then, including a 1-3 mark to begin the 2024 campaign … Air Force opened with a 21-6 win against Merrimack, but have fallen to San Jose State, Baylor and Wyoming to bring a three-game slide into Saturday’s game … Air Force has won 21 Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy series, the most of the three service academies … The Falcons returned only one offensive starter and three defensive starters from last season … Air Force has had 26 first-time starters this year, the most among FBS programs … QB Josh Busha has passed for 240 yards and rushed for 128 yards … WR Cade Harris has a team-high 147 rushing yards with three touchdowns … DE Payton Zdroik has 3.0 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss to lead the defense.
Utah State Aggies vs Boise State Broncos
AGGIES AND BRONCOS SERIES HISTORY
• Utah State trails in the all-time series against Boise State, 23-5, which includes a 3-11 road record. USU has lost eight straight and 20 of the last 21 games in the series as its only win during that stretch was a 52-26 home win in 2015 against No. 21 BSU. The first game played in the series was on Oct. 15, 1975, in Boise, with USU winning 42-19. Last year, Boise State posted a 45-10 road win. And the last time the two teams played in Boise, the Broncos notched a 42-23 win in 2022. This year’s meeting will mark the first time since 2019 and the 10th time in the last 18 meetings that the Broncos are nationally ranked.
Utah State Notes
KICKOFF COVERAGE
• Utah State (1-3, 0-0 MW) begins Mountain West play at No. 21 Boise State (3-1, 0-0 MW) on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 5 p.m. (MT). The game will be televised on FS2 (Xfinity Ch. 264/722HD, DISH Ch. 149, DirecTV Ch. 618) with Eric Collins (play-by-play) and Spencer Tillman (analyst) on the call. • Interim head coach Nate Dreiling, who was elevated from defensive coordinator on July 2, is the youngest head coach at the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) level as he is 33 years old. Dreiling, who is just the 10th coach in program history to win his first game as head coach, is also one of only two interim head coaches in the nation along with Fresno State’s Tim Skipper. • Utah State and Boise State have won two of the last three Mountain West Championships as USU won the title in 2021 and BSU won it in 2023. • Utah State is 6-68 all-time against Associated Press-ranked teams, but has won five of its last 19 games, including its 46-13 win at No. 19 San Diego State in the 2021 Mountain West Championship game, which was its last win against an AP top-25 team. The highest-ranked team USU has ever defeated was at No. 18 BYU (35-20) in 2014. • Utah State is playing a nationally ranked team for the third time this season as it lost at No. 13 USC (48-0) and lost at home to No. 12 Utah (38-21). In fact, it is the sixth time in school history that USU has played at least three nationally ranked teams in the same season along with the 1991, 2001, 2007, 2008 and 2009 campaigns. The school record for number of nationally ranked teams played in a season is four during both the 2001 and 2008 campaigns. • Utah State is playing a nationally ranked Boise State team for the 10th time in the last 18 meetings in the series dating back to the 2006 season. USU is 1-8 in those previous nine meetings, which includes a 52-26 home win against No. 21 Boise State on Oct. 16, 2015. • Utah State is 3-3 in its last six road games and has scored at least 30 points in each of those road wins. Over the last three-plus years, USU is 12-9 (.571) in road games. • Utah State is 8-4 (.667) in its last 12 league openers and 7-4 (.636) all-time in Mountain West openers, which includes a 4-2 (.667) road record. This will be USU’s seventh league opener on the road in its 12 years in the MW. Overall, USU is 35-29-3 (.545) all-time in conference openers and has a 15-15-3 (.500) record in league openers on the road. • Utah State will be starting Mountain West play against Boise State for the second time in its 12 years in the league as BSU posted a 42-13 home win against USU in 2020. • Utah State is 52-34 (.605) all-time in Mountain West play, including a 24-18 (.571) road record. Overall, USU is 8-4 in its last 12 MW road games and 22-17 (.594) in its last 39 road games overall. • Utah State (52-33) has the third-best record against Mountain West opponents (including championship games) since it joined the league in 2013. Boise State (73-17) has the best record in the league during that time, while San Diego State (60-28) has the second-best record. • Utah State is fourth in the Mountain West and 51st in the nation in total offense (423.0 yards per game), fifth in the MW and 52nd in the nation in passing offense (246.0 ypg), and fifth in the MW and 56th in the nation in rushing offense (177.0 ypg). USU is also third in the MW and tied for 19th in the nation in yards per rush (5.8).
UTAH STATE AND BOISE STATE AS CONFERENCE FOES
• Utah State and Boise State have spent 23 years as league foes, including 12 seasons in the Mountain West as Boise State joined the league in 2011 and Utah State joined in 2013. Both schools were also members of the Big West Conference from 1996 to 2000 and members of the Western Athletic Conference from 2005 to 2010.
AGGIES vs. BRONCOS SERIES 13TH-LONGEST IN SCHOOL HISTORY
• Utah State and Boise State will be meeting for the 29th time in series history this weekend in what is the 13th-most played rivalry in school history.
SERIES NOTABLES
• Utah State has had more yards of total offense than Boise State in two of the last three meetings, both USU losses. In 2021, USU had 443 yards as compared to 435 for BSU, and in 2022, USU had 468 yards as compared to 428 for BSU. USU also had nine more first downs in the 2022 game. • Boise State has scored at least 40 points in 14 of the last 19 meetings, and at least 50 points in seven of the last 19 meetings. USU has been held to less than 30 points in 16 of the last 18 meetings. • Boise State has rushed for more yards in 12 of the previous 17 meetings and passed for more yards in 12 of the last 17 meetings. • The two teams have combined for just 16 turnovers in the last eight meetings. Overall, Boise State has had fewer turnovers in 12 of the previous 14 meetings, including just two turnovers in its last eight games against USU. • Boise State has scored first in 15 of the last 17 games in the series, and has led at the half in 19 of the last 20 meetings. • Boise State has converted at least seven third downs in 10 of the last 17 meetings and has recorded at least 20 first downs in 14 of the last 17 meetings. • Boise State has had four 300-yard passers, six 100-yard receivers and 12 100-yard rushers in the past 17 meetings, while Utah State has had three 100-yard rushers, two 300-yard passers and four 100-yard receivers in the last 17 meetings. • In 28 previous meetings with Boise State, Utah State has had 10 100-yard receivers, nine 100-yard rushers and four 300-yard passers. • There has only been one shutout in series history, a 52-0 Boise State home win in 2007. • Boise State has been nationally ranked nine times in the last 17 meetings, with the exceptions being in 2005, 2013, 2017, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. • The 2018 matchup between No. 14 Utah State and No. 21 Boise State was the first Mountain West game with two nationally ranked Associated Press teams since 2010.
SCOUTING UTAH STATE
• Utah State enters this week with a 1-3 (0-0 MW) record as both teams will open conference play. • While the Aggies have a total offense that ranks 51st nationally, posting a respectable 423.0 yards per game, Utah State only ranks 107th in scoring offense with an average of 21.5 points per game. • USU’s rushing defense ranks 114th nationally and 11th in the MW, allowing 196.8 yards per game. • USU ranks 80th in sacks allowed (2.0), which could prove problematic on Saturday. • That does not mean all is not lost in Logan. In fact, the Aggies are quite adept at making people lose things. DJ Graham II leads that effort by forcing an average of 0.50 fumbles per game, ranking eighth in the country and first in the Mountain West. • When the location for Utah State University was being debated prior to its founding, historian Joel Ricks, in 1938, “Provo had received the Insane Asylum, Salt Lake City had the University and Capitol, and most of the legislature felt that the new institutions should be given to Weber and Cache Counties.” We cannot help but respect the truth in historians’ research. • That which is lost can always be found. There’s a good chance that’s the personal motto of Clyde Washington, the Aggie that ranks 12th nationally in fumbles recovered while leading the MW. • The image of a bull first appeared on a football game program in 1975, and the following year it was adopted as USU’s mascot. For a few years, USU used an actual white bull, painted blue, which was brought to sporting events and corralled on the sidelines. However, when the Smith Spectrum was built, there were concerns with the bull ruining the floor. We can’t imagine why. • Jordan Vincent is a stalwart on the Aggie defense. His 5.8 solo tackles per game ranks eighth in the nation and leads the Mountain West. • In 1987, USU Student Athletics Vice President John Mortensen decided that Utah State should still have a mascot and spent $750 on a costume for Big Blue. The costume was somewhat of a disappointment because it was royal blue, not navy, had real animal horns, and was not easy to move around in. No word on if this costume was debuted on Halloween or if it was retired due to haunting the dreams of people far and wide.
Boise State Notes
SCOUTING BOISE STATE
• No. 21 Boise State is 3-1 on the season following its 45-24 home win against Washington State last weekend. The Broncos are led by sophomore QB Maddux Madsen, who is 64- of-110 (.582) passing for 800 yards (200.0 ypg) with seven touchdowns and two interceptions. Junior RB Ashton Jeanty leads the team in rushing with 845 yards on 82 carries (10.3 ypc/211.3 ypg) with 13 touchdowns. Fifth-year senior Cameron Camper leads the team in receiving as he has 13 receptions for 271 yards (20.9 ypr/67.8 ypg) with three touchdowns. Defensively, sophomore S Ty Benefield has a team-best 29 tackles, which includes 3.5 tackles for loss, to go along with one interception and one fumble recovery. As a team, BSU is averaging 47.8 points and 522.3 yards of offense per game (302.5 rushing, 219.8 passing), and allowing 30.0 points and 376.5 yards of offense (255.5 passing, 121.0 rushing). Spencer Danielson is 6-2 in his first full season as Boise State’s head coach.
OPENING KICKOFF
• He may wear No. 2 but the No. 1 running back in the country is an indisputable fact at this point. Ashton Jeanty broke records as he has ran all across teams from coast to coast. Through 3 1/2 games the #HEI2MAN hopeful has 845 yards and 13 touchdowns rushing.
• Boise State enters this game ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25 poll. The Broncos have a .844 winning percentage (114-21) all-time when ranked by the Associated Press. That is the best winning percentage of any team when ranked by the AP. See the top marks in this category on Page 5.
• Saturday’s game is the third of three sellouts (so far) this season at Albertsons Stadium. Last Saturday, a record 37,711 members of Bronco Nation filled the stands marking the largest crowd to ever watch a game at Albertsons Stadium.
• Bronco fans everywhere are excited for the return of football and to see what Ashton Jeanty can do in his junior season. The Heisman candidate wowed the nation with video game numbers in 2023, setting the stage for a HEI2MAN-worthy year in 2024. Find out more about Ashton Jeanty’s record-setting performances at HEI2MAN.com.
• We saved No. 5 for the appropriate Group of 5 note. The 2024 season marks the first of the expanded College Football Playoff era with a 12-team bracket. The highest-rated conference champion of the Group of 5 will automatically earn a berth into the CFP postseason this year and several national pundits have predicted the Broncos could be one of the top teams vying for that spot.
Nevada Wolfpack vs San Jose State Spartans
SERIES HISTORY
Nevada leads the all-time series against San José State, 23-11-2 and is 9-8 in meetings in San Jose. The teams have met 10 times since San José State joined the Mountain West in 2013, with Nevada holding a 7-3 edge in those matchups. However, the Spartans have won two of the last three, including a 35-28 come-from-behind victory in the most recent meeting, Oct. 29, 2022, in San Jose.
Nevada Notes
NEVADA OPENS MOUNTAIN WEST PLAY IN THE BAY
Nevada opens its 2024 Mountain West slate this Saturday, Oct. 5, at San José State. Saturday’s contest against the Spartans is set for a 4:30 p.m. kick and will be broadcast on truTV and the Max app, with Ari Wolfe (play-by-play), Darius Walker (analyst), and Bridget Howard (sideline) on the call. The Wolf Pack Radio Network will call the game on KOZZ 105.7 FM in Northern Nevada, online at www.thevarsitynetwork.com and on the Varsity Network app. John Ramey (play-by-play) and Mike Edwards (analyst) will be in the booth, with the 60-minute pregame show to begin at 3:30 p.m.
ON TO MOUNTAIN WEST SEASON
Nevada is 6-6 in Mountain West openers heading into its 2024 lidlifter at San José State. Even so, the Pack will play one final non-conference game Oct. 12, against Oregon State, before turning full-time to its Mountain West slate with Oct. 18’s home date with Fresno State.
B-LEW AMONG THE MOUNTAIN WEST’S TOP QBs
Wolf Pack quarterback Brendon Lewis is five games into a solid 2024 campaign, ranking among the top of the Mountain West signal-callers in numerous statistical categories. Heading into Saturday’s game, Lewis leads the Mountain West in completion percentage (68.0 percent) and ranks third in both touchdown passes (seven) and passing efficiency (138.4). And, as a dual-threat QB, Lewis is currently sixth in the conference with 272 rushing yards.
A POWER RUSH GAME
Nevada had one of its best rushing games in nearly a decade in its 49-16 win over Eastern Washington, going for a season-high 320 yards and five touchdowns. It was the Pack’s first 300-yard rushing game since running for 318 at UNLV on Nov. 26, 2016. And, true to its nickname, the Wolf Pack has had multiple players do damage on the ground. Savion Red, the junior transfer from Texas, leads the way with 394 yards and ranks second in the Mountain West (behind only Ashton Jeanty) at 7.3 yards per carry. Patrick Garwo III, a sixth-year transfer from Boston College, has powered his way to a team-best five rushing scores (third-best in the MW and 23rd in the country), and quarterback Brendon Lewis is sixth in the conference with 272 rushing yards.
RED-ZONE TOUGHNESS ON BOTH ENDS
Nevada’s red-zone performance on both offense and defense has been a significant turnaround in 2024. On offense, the Wolf Pack has converted 16 of 17 red-zone trips into points, the 94.1 percent rate ranking 22nd in the country. Of those 17 trips, 14(!) have resulted in touchdowns, an 82.4-percent touchdown 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. On defense, the Pack ranks second in the Mountain West with opponents succeeding in scoring on a red-zone trip just 81.3 percent of the time (13-for-16). More impressively, Nevada has limited its opponents to just seven touchdowns on those 16 trips.
CONTROL THE BALL, CONTROL THE GAME
Entering this weekend’s action, Nevada ranks 11th in the country in time of possession, holding onto the ball for an average of 33:25 per game. A big contributor to this stat is the Pack’s run game, which ranks 36th in the country with 193.4 yards per game.
KEEPING DRIVES ALIVE
Another key stat which has led to success for Nevada is its ability to consistently convert third downs. Through five games, the Wolf Pack ranks fifth in the country with a 55.4-percent third-down conversion rate. Overall, the Pack’s converted 41 of its 74 third-downs.
CONFIDENCE FROM THE SECONDARY
Nevada’s secondary has dialed up its aggressiveness in 2024, picking off three passes and already breaking up 20 pass attempts over the season’s first five games. Leading the way for this group is cornerback Michael Coats Jr., who has made a career-high six pass breakups along with an interception already in 2024. At the other corner, Chad Brown has broken up two passes, made one interception, and ranks fourth on the team in tackles (25), while safety Kitan Crawford has disrupted three passes while ranking third on the team with 26 tackles.
San Jose State Notes
ABOUT SAN JOSÉ STATE
San José State is 3-1 under new head coach Ken Niumatalolo, including an early conference win over Air Force. Wide receiver Nick Nash is off to a blazing start, already with 50 catches for 637 yards and eight touchdowns through four games, while quarterback Emmett Brown has completed 62 percent of his passes for 1,290 yards and 13 touchdowns. The Spartans average 329.0 passing yards per game, while rushing for just 72.8 yards a game.
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. • The Spartans are 9-2 in their last 11 games overall and have won seven straight conference games. • 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 16 first-time FBS starters through four games, the country’s fifth-most. • The Spartans have seven home games for the first time since 2006 and are 12-2 in their last 14 games at CEFCU Stadium and 18-5 at CEFCU Stadium since 2020. • 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 12 turnovers this season, which is good for fifth in the nation. The Spartans eight interceptions are good for sixth in the nation and second in the Mountain West. • The Spartans’ +2 turnover margin is good for third in the conference. • This season, Nick Nash leads all FBS players outright in receptions (50), receptions per game (12.5) and receiving touchdowns(eight). 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 second in FBS in receiving yards per game (159.3) and fourth in the country with 637 receiving yards. • Nash was named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week (9/16/24) following his career-high17 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). • With double-digit receptions against Nevada, Nash would be the first Spartan with three consecutive games of double-digit receptions. • Nash is tied for fifth in SJSU history with 17 receiving touchdowns and has only been a true wide receiver for 18 games. • 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 has 17 and 16 receptions (9/20/24 at WSU) in his last two games. The 17 receptions are the most for an FBS wide receiver in a single game since Nevada’s Romeo Doubs had 19 receptions in 2021 against Fresno State. • Pro Football Focus (PFF) has Nash ranked as the third-best wide receiver in the country with a grade of 91.3. • Nash also threw his first touchdown pass since Oct. 30, 2021, and the 11th of his career when he found Jacob Stewart for a 26-yard score (8/29/24 vs. Sac State). Nash is the first non-quarterback to throw a touchdown pass for the Spartans since Tre Walker threw a 54-yard touchdown pass in 2017 against San Diego State. • Nash is only the third FBS player in the last three years to throw a passing touchdown and have two receiving touchdowns in the same game (KJ Concepcion of NC State in 2023 and Xavier Worthy of Texas in 2022). • Emmett Brown started for the first time in his SJSU career (Sac State 8/29/24) and threw for 298 yards which is the most since Clint Carlson in 2001, who threw for 366 yards against Texas-El Paso in his first SJSU start. • Brown is at the top of the Mountain West, second in the country with 13 passing touchdowns, and tops in the MW, and 5th in the country with 1,290 passing yards. He also leads the conference with a 152.7 passing efficiency which is good for 47th in the nation. • Brown threw for 355 yards and four touchdowns against Kennesaw State (9/14/24). The 355 yards passing were the most for the Spartans since Dec. 20, 2022, when Chevan Cordeiro threw for 366 yards, and the four-touchdown passes were the most for the Spartans since Cordeiro against Utah State (11/19/22). • The Spartans are averaging 329 yards passing per game which is good for eighth in the country and first in the Mountain West. Only one game this year the Spartans haven’t hit 324 or more yards passing. • The Spartans’ most passing yards in a game last year was 325.
Hawai’I Rainbow Warriors vs San Diego State Aztecs
SERIES vs. SAN DIEGO STATE
SDSU leads the overall series 25-11-2 and has won the last four meetings. The Aztecs have won 10 of the last 12 in the series and 19-of-23. SDSU has also won 10 of the last 11 at home* dating back to 1990 (*-includes 2020 game in Carson, Calif.). UH’s only victory during that span occurred in 2018, a 31-30 overtime win. Five of the last six meetings have been decided by seven points or less. The teams have met every year since 2012 as members of the Mountain West, which the Aztecs have won 10 of the 12 match-ups.
Hawai’I Notes
GAME STORYLINES
• This week’s match-up is the 39th meeting between the teams with San Diego State holding a 25-11-2 advantage. • The Aztecs have won 10 of the last 12 in the series and 19-of-23. SDSU has won four straight overall after UH won back-to-back games in 2018 and ’19. • SDSU has a 12-4 advantage in the series at home, having won 10 of the last 11. (includes 2020 game in Carson, Calif.) 4 Five of the last six meetings have been decided by seven points or less. • The teams have met every year since 2012 as members of the Mountain West, which the Aztecs have won 10 of the 12 match-ups. In those 12 meetings, UH has been held to 14 points or less nine times. • UH (2-2, 0-0 MW) is coming off a bye week. Two weeks ago, Hawai‘i evened its record following a 36-7 victory over Northern Iowa. The Warriors set season highs for points (36), total yards (528), passing yards (379), rushing yards (149) and first downs (29) in the win. • Under head coach Timmy Chang, UH is 0-3 following bye weeks, including 0-1 this season. Hawai‘i, which had one bye week in each of the past two seasons, has three bye weeks this season (Weeks 2, 5, 13). • In the teams’ last match-up in San Diego in 2022, UH was also coming off a bye week and the Aztecs pulled out a come-from-behind 16-14 victory with a field goal with 0:07 remaining. • UH is 5-7 in Mountain West openers since joining the league in 2012, including a 3-5 mark in MW openers on the road. UH had won three straight MW openers on the road (2018, ’19, ’20) before dropping its last two (2022, ’23). • UH is 1-12 on the road under Chang, including 0-1 this season. • Hawai‘i has dropped its last 11 games on national television and 14 of its last 15 dating back to the start of the 2021 season. • SDSU (1-3, 0-0) dropped its third straight game after a 22-21 setback at Central Michigan last week when the Chippewas kicked a last second field goal to win it. The Aztecs led 21-10 before CMU scored the final 12 points of the game and shutout SDSU in the second half.
LAST MEETING vs. SDSU
SDSU 41, UH 34
Oct. 14, 2023
Ching Complex; Honolulu, O‘ahu
SDSU defeated UH for the fourth straight time and have won 10 of the 12 match-ups in Mountain West play.
UH set season-highs in points (34), total offense (480), passing yards (427), and turnovers (4).
The Warriors allowed a season-low one sack and committed a season-low two penalties for 11 yards.
UH had two 100-yard receivers for the first time since 2021 after both Steven McBride (157) and Nick Cenacle (100) reached the plateau.
UH had its first punt blocked since 2021 (at Nevada) when Eric Butler blocked Matt Shipley’s attempt after UH’s first possession.
Brayden Schager and Steven McBride connected on two 60+ yard pass plays (65 & 62).
Schager threw for a career-high 427 yards on 29-of-47 passing and tossed three touchdowns while McBride recorded his second straight 100- yard receiving game, finishing with 157 yards on just five catches.
TEAM NOTES
UH has out-scored its opponents 36-7 in the first quarter and have pitched three first quarter shutouts in four games. In comparison, last season UH was out-scored 118-38 in the first quarter and were held scoreless in the quarter in eight of 13 games. UH committed 14 penalties for 122 yards in a loss to Sam Houston, which was the most by a Hawai‘i team since an Oct. 2, 2004 win over Tulsa (15 for 142 yards). Under Chang, UH is 0-12 when scoring 17 points or fewer compared to 10-8 when scoring more than 17 points. The Warriors have scored less than 17 points twice this season and more than 17 points twice.
HAWAI‘I IN THE MOUNTAIN WEST
Hawai‘i enters its 13th season in the Mountain West in 2024. UH is 5-7 in Mountain West openers since joining the league in 2012, including a 3-5 mark in MW openers on the road. 4 UH had won three straight MW openers on the road (2018, ’19, ’20) before dropping its last two (2022, ’23). UH is 31-65 (.323) all-time in the MW — 18-31 (.367) at home and 13-34 (.277) on the road. Hawai‘i has appeared in one Mountain West Championship game during the 2019 season.
BYE, BYE, BYE
UH has three bye weeks (Weeks 2, 5, 13) this season, the most in a single-season in program history. 4 Under head coach Timmy Chang, UH is 0-3 following bye weeks, including 0-1 this season. Hawai‘i is 1-3 under head coach Timmy Chang in games immediately prior to a bye week.
ROAD SHOW
Its no secret that UH has had its struggles on the road, given its 15-56 record since 2012. Under head coach Timmy Chang, UH is 1-12 on the road (0-6 in 2022, 1-5 in ’23, 0-1 in ’24). Chang’s lone victory snapped a 10-game road losing streak as UH defeated Nevada 27-14, Nov. 4, 2023. It was the first road win since a 38-14 victory at Wyoming in the 2021 regular-season finale. UH will play four more road games in 2024 with a combined road record of 16-33-1 against those teams (4-12 vs. San Diego State; 9-15-1 vs. Fresno State; 1-0 vs. Washington State; 2-6 vs. Utah State).
ROAD WARRIORS
UH’s five road games this season is its fewest since 2007 (not counting 2020 COVID season). UH will total nearly 30,040 air miles with its longest trip (8,040) to Hunstville, Texas for a non-conference game at Sam Houston. Over the last decade, UH played no less than six road games each year, including a program-high seven in 2021. The most miles UH travelled in a season was 46,568 in 2016, that included trips to Sydney, Australia (vs. California) and Ann Arbor, Mich., in back-to-back weeks.
San Diego State Notes
No report available
MOUNTAIN WEST NOTES
• Nine Mountain West programs are in action in Week 6. No. 23/25 UNLV hosts a 3-1 Syracuse squad on Friday, while No. 21 Boise State opens league play when it hosts Utah State on Saturday. Also on Saturday, Air Force welcomes Navy, Colorado State visits Oregon State, San José State hosts Nevada and Hawai‘i heads to San Diego State. • After appearing in the US LBM Coaches (AFCA) Poll in each of the previous two weeks, UNLV entered the Associated Press poll at No. 25 this week, earning its first ranking in the AP poll since moving to Division I. Boise State moved up four spots to No. 21 in the AP poll and is the first team out of the AFCA poll. • 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. The MW has four (4) games against the ACC, eight (8) against the Big 12, six (6) against the Big Ten and two (2) against the SEC in addition to 15 contests against Oregon State and Washington State, most of which are part of a scheduling agreement that will see all 12 MW schools face either the Beavers or Cougars. Fifteen of the MW’s games against Autonomous 4 opponents this season will be played at home. • 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 will be well-positioned to earn a shot at competing for a national title. • Mountain West squads have a total of 15 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 (AFCA) and/or AP top-25 polls, including five at home. • Since 2018, the MW has the best winning percentage over Autonomous 5 teams (27.12) among its peer conferences. MW teams have collected 32 wins over such teams in that span, also the most among its peer conferences.
MW TEAMS IN THE RANKINGS
When Boise State and UNLV were both ranked after Week 4, it marked the first time the MW had two teams ranked in either the AFCA or Associated Press poll in the same week since the final poll of the 2021 season, when Utah State (24) and San Diego State (25) both appeared in the AP poll. Utah State was also No. 24 in the final AFCA poll that season. UNLV entered the AFCA poll on Sept. 15 for its first national ranking at the Division I level. The Rebels entered the AP poll on Sept. 29 for their first ranking in that poll at the DI level. Boise State entered the AP poll on Sept. 22 of this season for its first national ranking since 2022. The Broncos are 114-21 (.844) all-time while being ranked in the AP Top 25. That’s the best record of any team while ranked over the last 40 seasons (min. 50 games as ranked team).
UNLV AGAINST A4 COMPETITION
UNLV has beaten Big 12 teams Houston (27-7) and Kansas (23-20) this season, both on the road. The Rebels are the first nonconference team ever to have multiple road wins against Big 12 competition in the same season. UNLV’s 27-7 win at Houston in Week 1 was the largest for a MW school against a Big 12 opponent since Utah’s 68-27 win at Iowa State in 2010. Those are the only two times a Mountain West team has won a road game against a Big 12 school by 20-plus points. The Rebels face Syracuse on Friday for the third of four meetings against A4 competition this season. UNLV also visits Oregon State on Oct. 19.
WILLIAMS’ OUTSTANDING DEBUT
In his first start at the FBS level, UNLV’s Hajj-Malik Williams became the third QB in Mountain West history to have a game with 100-plus rushing yards, an 80.0% or higher completion percentage and 3-plus TD passes, joining Wyoming’s Brett Smith (2013) and BYU’s Brandon Doman (2001). Williams was 13-for-16 for 182 yards and three touchdowns through the air and rushed 12 times for 119 yards and a score in UNVL’s 59-14 win over Fresno State. For his efforts, he was named one of the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 and a Manning Award Star of the Week.
JEANTY FOR HEI2MAN
Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty’s Heisman campaign was bolstered by another stellar effort in Week 5, as the junior had 26 carries for 259 yards and four touchdowns in the Broncos’ 45-24 win over Washington State. Jeanty leads the FBS in all-purpose yards per game (216.0), rush yards per carry (10.30), rushing touchdowns (13), rushing yards (845), rushing yards per game (211.3), scoring (19.5), total points scored (78) and total touchdowns (13). His 13 TD runs in 2024 are the second-most by any FBS player through four team games over the last 25 seasons (Buffalo’s Jaret Patterson in 2020). Jeanty has two games this season with at least 250 rushing yards and 4-plus rushing TDs, while no other FBS player has a single such game this season. His two 200-yard rushing games this season are just one away from entering the MW’s single-season top five, while the four in his career are good for a tie for fourth in MW history. He also has three TD runs of at least 70 yards this year, which tie for the most in a season in MW history.
RESPECT THE RUN GAME
Jeanty has deservedly commanded plenty of individual attention, but the Mountain West also has two teams in the top six of FBS this season in rushing yards per game: Boise State (third, 302.5) and UNLV (sixth, 283.0). The MW has finished a season with multiple teams in the top five in the category three times (2016, 2012 and 2009). Boise State continues to lead the FBS in yards per rush (8.52). Against New Mexico State in Week 5, New Mexico’s Devon Dampier and NaQuari Rogers became the third duo in MW history to each have 3-plus rushing TDs in the same game, joining Utah State’s Gerold Bright and Darwin Thompson (2018) and BYU’s Brian McDonald-Ashford and Luke Staley (2001).
DALMAS CLAIMS ANOTHER MW RECORD
After becoming the MW’s career scoring leader in Week 1, Boise State kicker Jonah Dalmas added another record to his name in Week 5, converting his only field-goal attempt of the day to move into a tie for first in Conference history with 83 for his career. With one more FG make, Dalmas will pass former Nevada kicker Brandon Talton (2019-23) to own the record outright.
BRONCOS PLAY DEFENSE, TOO
Boise State leads all FBS teams with 19 sacks this season, the third-most through four games in MW history (2020 Fresno State and 1999 Colorado State – 20 each). Boise State’s four straight games with 4-plus sacks is the longest active streak in FBS.
MW TAKEAWAYS
UNLV has intercepted nine passes this season, tied for the second most through four games of a season in MW history (BYU – 10 in 2002). Since the beginning of 2022, UNLV’s defense has 41 interceptions with only Oklahoma (42) having more in FBS in that time. This season, the Rebels’ Jalen Catalon shares the FBS leads with four total interceptions and an average of 1.0 per game. San José State ranks fifth in the FBS this season with 12 forced turnovers, while Fresno State and UNLV are tied for eighth with 10 apiece. Fresno State’s Cam Lockridge is tied for third in the FBS with three interceptions so far.
NASH RECEIVING PRAISE
This season, San José State receiver Nick Nash leads all FBS players in receptions (50), receptions per game (12.5) and receiving touchdowns (eight) and is second in receiving yards per game (159.3). His 17 receptions against Kennesaw State in Week 3 are tied for fourth-most in a game in MW history and matched the SJSU regular-season record. Nash was the third FBS player since 1996 to have 50-plus receptions and 8-plus TD catches through his team’s first four games of the season. The others were Texas Tech’s Michael Crabtree (2007) and Louisiana Tech’s Troy Edwards (1998).
WIN NO. 1
New Mexico coach Bronco Mendenhall and Wyoming coach Jay Sawvel both got their first wins at their programs in Week 5. Mendenhall led the Lobos to a 50-40 win over rival New Mexico State, while Sawvel directed the Cowboys to a 31-19 victory over Air Force. SCORING BLITZ UNLV downed Utah Tech 72-14 in Week 2, matching the fifth-most points scored in a game in MW history. The Rebels rolled up a school-record 695 yards of total offense and rushed for 504, the third-most in program history.
HOYLAND CAREER FG LEADER IN LARAMIE
Wyoming senior kicker John Hoyland booted a pair of field goals in a Week 2 loss to Idaho, connecting from 48 and 22 yards to move past Cooper Rothe for the Cowboys’ career record. Now with 62 in his career, Hoyland is fourth in MW history, just two back of Utah State’s Dominik Eberle (2016-19).
NEW LEADERSHIP
Eight of the 12 MW programs are under new leadership this season. Boise State’s Spencer Danielson enters his first full season for the Broncos after serving as their interim coach for the final four games of the season, while Fresno State’s Tim Skipper, who served as acting coach for the Bulldogs in their win in the Isleta New Mexico Bowl last season, will serve as Fresno State’s interim coach this season after former coach Jeff Tedford stepped down in July. Jeff Choate (Nevada), Bronco Mendenhall (New Mexico), Sean Lewis (San Diego State), Ken Niumatalolo (San José State), Nate Dreiling (Utah State, interim) and Jay Sawvel (Wyoming) enter their first seasons at the helms of their respective programs. Mendenhall, the 2006 MW Coach of the Year, was the head coach at BYU from 2005-10, while Sawvel served on former Pokes coach Craig Bohl’s staff since 2020 as the defensive coordinator and safeties coach. Niumatalolo, who was a three-time American Athletic Conference Coach of the Year during a successful 15-year run at Navy, served as an assistant coach in the MW at UNLV from 1999-2001 and played (1987-89) and coached (1990-94) at Hawai‘i before the Rainbow Warriors joined the league
MOUNTAIN WEST PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK ASHTON JEANTY, BOISE STATE
Junior, Running Back Jacksonville, Fla./Lone Star (Texas) HS Had 26 carries for 259 yards and four touchdowns as Boise State trounced Washington State, 45-24. Produced touchdown runs of 64, 14, 59 and 2 yards. Averaged 10.0 yards per carry. Broke 17 tackles and recorded 234 yards after contact.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK JALEN CATALONG
Senior, Safety Mansfield, Texas/Mansfield Legacy HS/ Arkansas/Texas Had a game-high 10 tackles, including six solo stops, in UNLV’s 59-14 win over Fresno State in the Rebels’ MW opener. Also recorded his FBS-leading fourth interception of the season in the second quarter, picking off a pass at the UNLV 1-yard line to thwart a potential Bulldog scoring drive. On a fourth-and-14 play in the third quarter, broke up a pass to give UNLV the ball back on downs. Helped hold Fresno State to just 30 rushing yards and more than 20 points and 60 total yards below its season averages.
SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK AARON RODRIGUEZ, NEW MEXICO
Senior, Punter Newhall, Calif./Missouri Punted four times for 183 yards, averaging 45.8 yards per punt, in New Mexico’s 50-40 win over New Mexico State in the Rio Grande Rivalry. Helped the Lobos win the field-position battle in the first half when the game was tied at 7, pinning the Aggies inside their 5-yard line on consecutive possessions. His first punt of the day was a 49-yarder that gave NMSU the ball at their 2-yard line. His second punt of the day was a season-long 56-yarder that went out of bounds at the 4-yard line. Arrived at the game just 2 1/2 hours before kickoff, as he stayed back in Albuquerque for his White Coat/Pledge Ceremony from UNM Nursing School on Friday night.
FRESHMAN OF THE WEEK CADEN CHITTENDEN,
UNLV Freshman, Placekicker Las Vegas, Nev./Faith Lutheran HS Scored 11 points in UNLV’s 59-14 win over Fresno State. Converted his lone field-goal attempt, a 45-yarder in the third quarter. Was 8-for-8 on point-after tries. Kicked off 10 times for 650 yards and eight touchbacks.
