FOURTH QUARTER

BREAKDOWN: Kicker Kevin Goessling opened the fourth quarter with a 34-yard field goal to extend Fresno State’s lead to 34-28. On the ensuing drive, Nevada drove 58 yards on 13 plays, but was shut down on a fourth-and-one try from the Fresno State eight-yard line. The Wolf Pack answered back, however, on their next drive as Vai Taua sliced through the Bulldog defense for a 24-yard score on his longest run of the night with 4:51 remaining in regulation. The score gave Nevada its third lead of the night at 35-34. From there, Fresno State turned the ball over on downs at its own 44-yard line with 1:27 remaining and just timeout left. The Wolf Pack preserved the one-point victory with three straight kneel downs.

BIG PLAY: On fourth-and-one from the Fresno State eight-yard line, Nevada opted to go for it down 34-28 with just under nine minutes left in regulation. Wolf Pack running back Vai Taua was slammed down in the backfield by linebacker Kyle Knox and defensive back Desia Dunn, giving the Bulldogs the ball back with a six-point lead and momentum.

INTERESTING STAT: Fresno State out gained Nevada 444 yards to 416, had five more first downs, and nearly four minutes of possession advantage, but still lost.

THIRD QUARTER

BREAKDOWN: Robbie Rouse’s huge third quarter lead to Fresno State converting all of its drives into scores and gave back the lead to the Bulldogs. On Fresno State’s first series of the quarter, Ryan Colburn, after scrambling in the pocket, found freshman Isaiah Burse for a 26-yard scoring strike, giving the ‘Dogs a 24-21 advantage. Nevada answered back with a six-play, 60 yard touchdown drive. Colin Kaepernick, who had 132 rushing yards through three quarters, scored from 19 yards out to give his team a 28-24 lead. But Rouse and the Bulldog offense wasted little time retaking the lead when he took a direct snap and found the end zone from 44 yards out. Through three quarters, Rouse had 22 carries for 212 yards, his second straight 200-yard game. At the start of the fourth quarter Fresno State leads 31-28.

BIG PLAY: In only the second time head coach Pat Hill flashed his “Hound” package on the night, Robbie Rouse took advantage. Taking the direct snap from center Richard Helepiko, who filled in for regular starter Joe Bernardi, Rouse broke into the secondary, made one cut and took it 44 yards to pay dirt. The score gave Fresno State the lead 31-28.

INTERESTING STAT: Through three quarters, Robbie Rouse’s 212 rush yards moved him 61 yards outside of 1,000 on the season.

Mike Howells / The Collegian

SECOND QUARTER

BREAKDOWN: The scoring and offensive explosion found in the first quarter slowed down a little bit as the second quarter showcased plenty of defense. The Bulldogs’ defense held Colin Kaepernick and the Pistol attack in check, giving up just 103 yards in the second quarter. A huge Robbie Rouse run just inside seven minutes set up kicker Kevin Goessling to boot in a 42-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead. Nevada strung together a nice series with three minutes left in the quarter, marching 10 plays to narrow the Bulldogs’ margin to just three. The Wolf Pack also converted a Ryan Colburn fumble into points, as running back Vai Taua plunged in from one yard out for a 21-17 lead.

BIG PLAY: Nevada took its first lead of the night with a little help from its defense. In an attempt to move into scoring position just before halftime, Ryan Colburn was sacked on his own 20 yard line, and the Wolf Pack capitalized, scoring just two plays later to take a 21-17 halftime lead.

INTERESTING STAT: The Wolf Pack offense, which has only been out gained in total yards twice this season (vs. Cal, at Hawaii) was equaled in the first half by Fresno State. At the break, both the ‘Dogs and Wolf Pack were deadlocked at 233 total yards apiece. Nevada came into the game averaging a Western Athletic Conference-best 556 yards per game.

FIRST QUARTER

BREAKDOWN: A packed Bulldog Stadium got its fair share of offense in the opening quarter of play. Fresno State came out firing with a six-play drive capped off by Robbie Rouse’s touchdown scamper from two yards out. But Nevada’s potent Pistol attack took little time to even the score when quarterback Colin Kaepernick darted in for a 47-yard touchdown run off a zone-read option. The ‘Dogs and quarterback Ryan Colburn countered on the following series, marching eight plays capped off by a Robbie Rouse touchdown catch, giving Fresno State a 14-7 lead and Rouse his ninth touchdown of the season. Kaepernick and Nevada were knocking on Fresno State’s door again before Lorne Bell intercepted a pass in the end zone.

BIG PLAY: Just when Nevada looked poised to even up the score at 14-14, Lorne Bell came up with a crucial interception in the end zone, ripping the ball away from a Wolf Pack receiver.

INTERESTING STAT: Quarterback Ryan Colburn started the game off red hot, going 9-for-12 for 128 yards and one touchdown. He spread the ball around well, hitting six different receivers.