Quarterback Derek Carr finds his main target
Jalen Saunders for a 6-yard touchdown pass.
Dalton Runberg / The Collegian
Fresno State traveled to Reno, Nev. for a dogfight with the other undefeated team in the Western Athletic Conference.
The Wolf Pack started off fast with freshman quarterback Cody Fajardo hit senior wide receiver Rishard Mathews with a 58-yard pass to put Nevada in scoring position. The Fresno State would come up with a big stop to hold the Wolf Pack to a 22-yard field goal by junior Allen Hardinson to give Nevada the 3-0 lead.
Mathews wasn’t done making big plays on the next Wolf Pack possession, he returned a punt and took it to the house for an 86-yarder to give Nevada the 10-0 lead.
Now it was Fresno State’s time to answer back and it did with junior running back Robbie Rouse putting the ‘Dogs within striking distance to cut the Wolf Pack lead to 10-7.
Nevada converted another big play on the next drive with senior wide receiver Shane Anderson for a 55-yard pass to put the Wolf Pack in Bulldog territory. Fresno State defense bent but didn’t break as they head Nevada to another Hardinson field goal to give the Wolf Pack the 13-7 lead.
Sophomore quarterback Derek Carr made his presence felt on the following drive as he led the ‘Dogs on a 15 play drive. On the drive, Fresno State mixed up the pass and the run to drive down the field. Carr found top target sophomore Jalen Saunders for a 6-yard touchdown pass to give Fresno State its first lead of the game 14-13.
Nevada let the pack lose on the next drive with junior running back Mike Ball out running the Bulldogs’ defense for a 35-yard gain. Ball finished off the drive with an 18-yard pass from Fajardo to give the Wolf Pack the 20-14 lead.
It was Carr’s turn on the next drive as he led Fresno State down the gridiron with a variety of runs and passes. The ‘Dogs had to settle for a senior Kevin Goessling 22-yard field goal after the Nevada defense came up with the stop in the red zone. The Wolf Pack still led 20-17.
With only seconds left on the clock, Nevada raced down the field before the half to get into Hardinson’s field goal range and he hit a 48-yarder to give the Wolf Pack the 23-17 lead at halftime.