Boise State knocks off Nevada, wins share of WAC title

Boise State knocks off Nevada, wins share of WAC title With their 44-33 win over Nevada on Friday night, Boise State seized a share of the WAC title.

The two teams repeated recent history after the Broncos jumped out a big lead only to have the Wolf Pack make it a game towards the end of the first half. Last season, Boise was up 21 points twice before Nevada came back and made it a one-possession game in the fourth quarter. In 2007, the Broncos had a 21-7 lead evaporate before finally beating the Wolf Pack in the fourth overtime.

On Friday, Boise cruised to a 27-3 second quarter lead before Nevada crawled back right before half with two touchdowns under four minutes. The Broncos also had a 44-26 lead in the fourth until the Wolf Pack added a garbage touchdown at the end to make the score respectable.

Kellen Moore finished with 262 yards on 17-of-33 passing for five touchdowns. Sophomore tailback Doug Martin also added 128 yards on 16 carries as the Broncos racked up 165 rushing yards.

Of course, that was nothing compared to the 242 rushing yards Nevada compiled. Vai Taua was once again as good as advertised, rushing for 160 yards on 24 carries and one touchdown (which went for 71 yards).

In the end, Nevada just couldn’t string enough drives together in the second half to seize the momentum in the game and turn the tide in their favor. Even after Taua busted off the 71-yard to put them up by eight and they recovered a Boise fumble on the next possession, the Wolf Pack couldn’t flip the script.

A win once again just wasn’t in the cards for Nevada.

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Boise State to be tested by Nevada

While the attention will primarily be on No. 6 Boise State, Nevada has plenty to play for when the two teams clash at Bronco Stadium on Friday night.

The Wolf Pack has won eight straight games coming into tonight’s contest and a win would mean a guaranteed share of the WAC title. They’ve given the Broncos trouble the past two years, losing by only a combined nine points.

Boise State’s mission tonight is simple: Stop the run. Nevada has the top rushing attack in the nation and have three 1,000-yard rushers. The Broncos simply haven’t seen a running game as good as the Wolf Pack offers and have had trouble with teams that can run right up the gut. Still, they’re only allowing 115 rushing yards per game and dominated other top ground attacks in Fresno State and Idaho.

On the other side of the ball, Nevada’s defense better be ready to step up. The Wolf Pack rank 119th in the nation in pass defense and is giving up 286.27 yards per game. Kellen Moore must be licking his chops to take on such a horrid secondary, but he needs to limit turnovers that will give Nevada scoring opportunities.

Outside of a home game against a 3-8 New Mexico State team, this is it for Boise State: Get past Nevada on Black Friday and their BCS dreams will stay alive.


Photo from fOTOGLIF

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