RENO — One of the best offense’s in the nation used its defense to stay undefeated on the year and improve to 5-0 for the first time since 2010 and the eighth time in program history (other teams to start 5-0 include teams from 2010, 1991, 1990, 1988, 1986, 1978 and 1948).
Nevada held San Diego State scoreless in the second half and fended off a last-ditch effort by the Aztecs to win 26-21 at Mackay Stadium in Reno on Saturday afternoon.
It was the first time since 2016 that Nevada played on a national network, as the CBS game originally scheduled was canceled because of Covid-19 concerns.
“Our team has character,” said Nevada coach Jay Norvell. “We don’t take shortcuts. We get in these situation and it just comes down to believing in one another and doing what you’re coached to do. We talk about it all the time you gotta trust your training, when you get in these critical situations. I’m just so proud of our guys for hanging in there. You don’t win these games by accident that’s a good football team. We practice a lot of these situations.”
After giving up 252 yards to San Diego State in the first half, Nevada held the Aztecs to just 41 in the second half and forced five consecutive three-and-outs.
The Wolf Pack had 376 yards of offense against the nation’s second-ranked defense (243.5).
“Our defense was outstanding in the second half,” Norvell said. “Really proud of the adjustments they made. I challenged the D-line last night and boy, they really responded.”
Nevada could only muster three field goals in the first half by sophomore kicker Brandon Dalton, when Carson Strong connected with Cole Turner on a 2-yard pass with 4:15 left in the first half to lead San Diego State 16-14.
The Aztecs came right back down the field in three minutes and took a 21-16 halftime lead on a 2-yard run by Greg Bell.
San Diego State’s Lucas Johnson had a 35-yard run and a 7-yard pass to Kobe Smith in the first half, for the Aztecs’ other scores. Johnson, a Georgia Tech transfer making his first start for San Diego State.
San Diego State kept Romeo Doubs quiet for much of the first half, but Strong found his favorite receiver for a 53-yard touchdown with 10:42 left in the third quarter.
Strong was 31-of-46 passing for 288 yards, going over 4,000 for his career.
His 53-yard score to Romeo Doubs gave the Wolf Pack a 23-21 lead, before Brandon Talton added his fourth field goal of the game.
Strong’s streak of consecutive games with 300 passing yards or more was snapped after he finished the game with 288 yards through the air.
He was 31-of-46 passing and added two touchdown passes to one interception.
Nevada leaves the state of Nevada for the first time this year and travels to Hawaii on Saturday for an 8 p.m. kickoff. The game will be shown on Nevada Sports Net. Hawaii is 2-3 on the season.
“We’re just so fortunate to be able to get our games in,” Norvell said. “We want to finish the season out and we want to get our games in and see how good we can be. I feel fortunate to have won the game,” Norvell said. “Very happy to be 5-0. Looking forward to moving forward to our game.”
