By Gio Gaxiola — Reporter
As the season comes down to the end, the Mountain West conference standings are heating up. Here are the news, notes and scores from around the conference.
Army (5-3) 21 Air Force (6-3, 3-2 MW) 14
The Black Knights secured an overtime win over the Falcons on Saturday. Sophomore offensive lineman Jordyn Law was the hero as he recovered senior quarterback Christian Anderson’s fumble in the endzone for the game winning touchdown. Sophomore running back Tyrell Robinson had two big catches for 118 yards and a touchdown for Army. Air Force junior quarterback Hazziq Daniels went 13-22 for 226 yards and one touchdown in the loss. The Falcons offense managed to break 400 yards in the game. Army looks to defend home turf on Saturday against Bucknell. Air Force will look to end its two game losing streak on the road against Colorado State on Saturday.
Wyoming (5-4, 1-4 MW) 31 Colorado State (3-6, 2-3 MW) 17
Wyoming snapped its four game losing streak at home on Saturday against Colorado State. Sophomore quarterback Levi Williams led the way for the Cowboys, completing nine of his 16 pass attempts for 92 yards and two touchdowns. Both touchdowns were caught by sophomore wide receiver Isaiah Neyor. Rams senior quarterback Todd Centeio went 20 for 36 with 187 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The loss brings Colorado State’s losing streak to three games. Wyoming hit the road on Friday to take on Boise State. While Colorado State will stay home and face off against Air Force.
Utah State (7-2, 4-1 MW) 35 New Mexico State (1-8) 13
In the battle of Aggies, Utah State came out on top in convincing fashion over New Mexico State. USU junior quarterback Logan Bonner lit up the stat sheets, completing 23 of his 32 pass attempts for 359 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. His favorite target was senior wide receiver Deven Thonpkins, who had nine catches for 215 yards and two touchdowns. NSMU freshman running back Juwaun Price was the lone bright spot, having nine rushes for 36 yards and one touchdown. The lone NMSU touchdown on the day. USU will hit the road to take on San Jose State on Saturday. NMSU will also hit the road to take on #3 Alabama.
Boise State (5-4, 3-2 MW) 40 No. 23 Fresno State (7-3, 4-2 MW) 14
Two titans in the MW conference squared off in a highly anticipated matchup. The Broncos defense was able to stay strong all night, with five sacks in the game. BSU kicker Jonah Dalmas was an unsung hero in the game, making all four of his field goals with the longest at 47 yards. Bulldog’s senior quarterback Jack Haener had one of his worst performances of the season, completing 22 of his 38 pass attempts for 279 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions. BSU will take on Wyoming at home on Saturday. While FSU will try to right the wrongs at home on Saturday against New Mexico.
UNLV (1-8, 1-4 MW) 31. New Mexico (3-6, 1-4 MW) 17.
The Rebels earned their first win of the season over the Lobos. Senior running back Charles Williams had 22 rushes for 74 yards and two touchdowns. UNLV sophomore wide receiver Kyle Williams had 7 receptions for 137 yards and one touchdown. Offense was hard to come by for the Lobos on Saturday. Senior running back Bobby Cole had five rushes for 76 yards and one touchdown. UNLV takes on Hawaii at home on Saturday. While New Mexico squares off at Fresno State on Saturday.
No. 24 San Diego State (8-1, 4-1 MW) 17 Hawaii (4-6, 1-4 MW) 10
The Aztecs survived a nail biter against the Rainbow Warriors on Saturday. Senior running back Greg Bell had 24 rushes for 77 yards and one touchdown. Sophomore kicker Jack Browning also had a rushing touchdown. SDSU’s defense had five sacks on the day. Hawaii junior quarterback Chevan Cordeiro completed 19 of his 34 pass attempts for 175 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the loss. In one of the most highly anticipated matchups of the year, SDSU will take on Boise State at home on Saturday. While Hawai’i will try to get a road win against UNLV on Saturday.
Nevada (7-2, 4-1 MW) 27 San Jose State (5-5, 3-3 MW) 24
It came down to the final play of the game, but the Wolf Pack were able to walk away with a win over the Spartans. Nevada junior quarterback Carson Strong was kept in check by the SJSU defense for most of the game, completing 37 of his 56 pass attempts for 319 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. SJSU Graduate quarterback Nick Starkel came back after missing more than a month of the season due to an injury, completing 21 of his 40 pass attempts for 284 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. The Wolf Pack defense was a huge difference maker in the game. The unit had two turnovers for touchdowns that would be crucial in the win. Special teams was a problem for both squads as both kickers went a combined three for eight in field goal attempts. Wolf Pack junior kicker Brandon Talton nailed the game winning field goal. Nevada will hit the road to face off against #24 SDSU. SJSU will play at home against Utah State.
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