PODCAST: Week 9 Mountain West football recap

We recap Week 9 of Mountain West football

VIDEO: Colorado State's post game press conference

Colorado State head coach Jim McElwain discusses their win over Hawai'i.

VIDEO: San Diego State head coach Rocky Long's post game press conference

Aztecs head coach Rocky Long discusses their team's win over UNLV

VIDEO: RB Adam Muema, TE Gavin Escobar post game press conference

Post game press conference for San Diego State running back Adam Muema and tight end Gavin Escobar.

VIDEO: QB Adam Dingwell, LB Jake Fely press conference

Post game press conference of San Diego State quarterback Adam Dingwell and linebacker Jake Fely

VIDEO: Highlights of San Diego State's win over UNLV

San Diego State gets past UNLV, take a look at the highlights

VIDEO: Air Force's Troy Calhoun post game press conference

Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun talks about his teams 48-31 win over Nevada.

VIDEO: Highlights of Air Force's victory over Nevada

Take a look at the highlights in Air Force 48-31 win over Nevada

VIDEO: New Mexico vs. Fresno St. Post game interviews/highlights

Host New Mexico lost to Fresno State 49-32 Saturday afternoon in Mountain West Conference play. UNM's Lobo TV was there for post game reactions from UNM head coach Bob Davie, players Kasey Carrier and also put together a compilation video of plays.

CSU beats Hawai'i with pick-6's

In a game full of mistakes, CSU (2 - 6, 1 - 3) took advantage of Hawai'i's (1 - 6, 0 - 4) mistakes late, when it looked like the Warriors were about to pass the Rams up. In a game with 5 interceptions (Schroeder, Hawai'i - 3; Smith, CSU - 2) and the same number of fumbles lost (CSU 3, Chris Nwoke - 2 and Tommey Morris -1), many in the fourth quarter, the CSU Rams got two pick - 6's to preserve what had been a 14 lead that had shrunk to only 1 point in the third quarter.

Up by two touchdowns, 28 - 14, and looking to take control of the game, the Rams rookie coach put his big gambling hat on and decided to try a trick play. The Rams attempted an onside kick to try and bury the Warriors. Hawai'i was not fooled and took the poorly executed kick inside the Rams' 5 yard line. This type of sophomrish play calling has become a hallmark of McElwain's first year. From deciding to go for it on the Rams' side of the field against the Buffs in the first game (and failing - due to obvious play calling), to deciding routinely to go for two after a score had given the Rams a small bit of momentum and failing (helping to stamp out any momentum gained), to this ill-conceived on-side kick, the Rams' coach has made some head scratching calls that the stands have absolutely bemoaned. In a game of inches, in which field position plays such a big role, these calls have been ill-timed, ill-positioned or simply bad ideas. The momentum of the game immediately switched from the Rams up by two touchdown and playing decent defense, to a third quarter dominated by the Warrior offense. The Rams' defense, however, stepped up and despite being given a short field to defend on three separate drives, thanks to Rams' fumbles and interceptions, the Warriors got only 13 total points (due to a missed field goal) and a touchdown off of the on-sides kick play.

The CSU freshman quarterback Conner Smith had been given a free hand early and seemed to do well, throwing a touchdown to Chris Nwoke and managing the game well for the most part. However, after throwing a pick the Rams' coordinators held him back and there were no offensive touchdowns in the second half. The Warriors capitalized and seemed poised to go ahead as the Rams either fumbled or went 3 and out on consecutive drives. Down by only one point, 28 - 27, the Rams' defense came up with two scores off of interceptions to seal the game. By luck or by design, the Rams defense got the win. The temperature at the game was almost pleasant at the beginning of the game, but by the fourth quarter had dropped close to freezing, which didn't seem to help the Warriors' efforts. Norm Chow looked poised but also had the look of frustration on his face at times as both he and McElwain had been left with less talent than many had speculated.

Hawai'i led in first downs 25 - 16, total yards of 393 - 291, 3rd down conversions with 8 - 21 / 1 - 6, fourth down conversions with 1 - 3 / 0 - 0 and time of possession with 36:06 to 23:54 and at times dominated, but lacked the punch to follow through. Both teams had 5 turnovers. Both RB's Iosefa (106) and Nwoke (115) had over 100 yards rushing. The leading receivers were Lister and Ostrowski, with 58 and 48 yards respectively, for the Warriors and Lovett and Nwoke, with 33 and 27 yards respectively for the Rams. Hawai'i also blocked a Pete Kontodiakos punt but were unable to fully capitalize on the opportunity, getting only a field goal from the great field position. The third offensive touchdown was scored on a 5 yard run by Senior James Skelton, who usually plays linebacker for the Rams, but with the emergence of freshman Cory James has seen less playing time at the position.

While this game will have little if any effect on the standings at the top of the Mountain West Conference, it was as entertaining as it was frustrating. Hawai'i fans were on the edges of their seats as the Rams failed with the on-side kick and preceded to fumble away any advantage they had had. The Rams were then ecstatic when freshman DB DeAndre Elliott returned a Sean Schroeder pass 76 yards for a touchdown and then freshman CB James Oden returned another Schroeder pass 40 yards for a score. In fairness, Hawai'i had every chance in the second half to take the game away from the lamed CSU offense. The CSU defense, which was unable to stop the Warriors on the first two drives, came up big to preserve the win, after it had been left on the field too long by the sputtering Rams' offense... again. CSU won the battle of the basement, but fans will be lft to decide if it was more by luck or more by design and what that means for the upcoming games for both teams.

CSU beats Hawai'i with pick-6

In a game full of mistakes, CSU (2 - 6, 1 - 3) took advantage of Hawai'i's (1 - 6, 0 - 4) mistakes late, when it looked like the Warriors were about to pass the Rams up. In a game with 5 interceptions (Schroeder, Hawai'i - 3; Smith, CSU - 2) and the same number of fumbles lost (CSU 3, Chris Nwoke - 2 and Tommey Morris -1), many in the fourth quarter, the CSU Rams got two pick - 6's to preserve what had been a 14 lead that had shrunk to only 1 point in the third quarter.

Up by two touchdowns, 28 - 14, and looking to take control of the game, the Rams rookie coach put his big gambling hat on and decided to try a trick play. The Rams attempted an onside kick to try and bury the Warriors. Hawai'i was not fooled and took the poorly executed kick inside the Rams' 5 yard line. This type of sophomrish play calling has become a hallmark of McElwain's first year. From deciding to go for it on the Rams' side of the field against the Buffs in the first game (and failing - due to obvious play calling), to deciding routinely to go for two after a score had given the Rams a small bit of momentum and failing (helping to stamp out any momentum gained), to this ill-conceived on-side kick, the Rams' coach has made some head scratching calls that the stands have absolutely bemoaned. In a game of inches, in which field position plays such a big role, these calls have been ill-timed, ill-positioned or simply bad ideas. The momentum of the game immediately switched from the Rams up by two touchdown and playing decent defense, to a third quarter dominated by the Warrior offense. The Rams' defense, however, stepped up and despite being given a short field to defend on three separate drives, thanks to Rams' fumbles and interceptions, the Warriors got only 13 total points (due to a missed field goal) and a touchdown off of the on-sides kick play.

The CSU freshman quarterback Conner Smith had been given a free hand early and seemed to do well, throwing a touchdown to Chris Nwoke and managing the game well for the most part. However, after throwing a pick the Rams' coordinators held him back and there were no offensive touchdowns in the second half. The Warriors capitalized and seemed poised to go ahead as the Rams either fumbled or went 3 and out on consecutive drives. Down by only one point, 28 - 27, the Rams' defense came up with two scores off of interceptions to seal the game. By luck or by design, the Rams defense got the win. The temperature at the game was almost pleasant at the beginning of the game, but by the fourth quarter had dropped close to freezing, which didn't seem to help the Warriors' efforts. Norm Chow looked poised but also had the look of frustration on his face at times as both he and McElwain had been left with less talent than many had speculated.

Hawai'i led in first downs 25 - 16, total yards of 393 - 291, 3rd down conversions with 8 - 21 / 1 - 6, fourth down conversions with 1 - 3 / 0 - 0 and time of possession with 36:06 to 23:54 and at times dominated, but lacked the punch to follow through. Both teams had 5 turnovers. Both RB's Iosefa (106) and Nwoke (115) had over 100 yards rushing. The leading receivers were Lister and Ostrowski, with 58 and 48 yards respectively, for the Warriors and Lovett and Nwoke, with 33 and 27 yards respectively for the Rams. Hawai'i also blocked a Pete Kontodiakos punt but were unable to fully capitalize on the opportunity, getting only a field goal from the great field position. The third offensive touchdown was scored on a 5 yard run by Senior James Skelton, who usually plays linebacker for the Rams, but with the emergence of freshman Cory James has seen less playing time at the position.

While this game will have little if any effect on the standings at the top of the Mountain West Conference, it was as entertaining as it was frustrating. Hawai'i fans were on the edges of their seats as the Rams failed with the on-side kick and preceded to fumble away any advantage they had had. The Rams were then ecstatic when freshman DB DeAndre Elliott returned a Sean Schroeder pass 76 yards for a touchdown and then freshman CB James Oden returned another Schroeder pass 40 yards for a score. In fairness, Hawai'i had every chance in the second half to take the game away from the lamed CSU offense. The CSU defense, which was unable to stop the Warriors on the first two drives, came up big to preserve the win, after it had been left on the field too long by the sputtering Rams' offense... again. CSU won the battle of the basement, but fans will be lft to decide if it was more by luck or more by design and what that means for the upcoming games for both teams.

Game recap: Fresno State 49, New Mexico 32

The New Mexico Lobos took a 21-0 lead early but fell due to attrition and the relentless, high-powered offense of the Fresno State Bulldogs Saturday afternoon on Branch Field at University Stadium in Albuquerque. The Bulldogs became bowl eligible for the first time since 2010 while the Lobos may have to go on without both of its top signal callers next week.

PHOTO: Colorado State's wearing orange helmets as part of the orange out

Early photos of the orange Colorado State helmets have been released.

Week 9 Mountain West football open thread

Four Mountain West games in action Saturday, come by and join the conversation.

Week 9 MWC Video Preview

After a high-powered, offensive game last night, Chris brings us what we can expect in Saturday's action.

Air Force vs. Nevada final score: Falcons rush past Nevada, win 48-31

Air Force had a great day rushing the ball with 461 yards, and now they are 4-1 in the Mountain West, looking like contenders.

Nevada vs. Air Force open thread, come join the party

Air Force takes on Nevada in a key Week 9 Mountain West matchup.

Week 9 College Football Betting Lines - A Modern Major-Betting-Blogger

A quick guide on how to bet for this week's Mountain West games.

MWC Game Preview: No. 21 Boise State vs. Wyoming

The Boise State Broncos (6-1, 3-0) travel to Laramie to take on the Wyoming Cowboys (1-6, 0-3) at War Memorial Stadium Saturday in what is expected to be a very scrappy game on the CBS Sports Network.

Colorado State and Hawai'i: The Battle for the Basement

Two one-win teams square off, with nary a conference win between them. The winner will take a step out of the Mountain West basement, while the loser is back to the drawing board.

UNM QB concussion carousel continues: Gautsche in, Holbrook likely out against Fresno

The New Mexico Lobos' lack of depth at quarterback has put their two-quarterback system on hold for now as one of the teams' two primary signal callers is sidelined with a concussion.

Quick Look: New Mexico vs. Fresno St.

The New Mexico Lobos look to regain their winning ways when they host Mountain West newcomers the Fresno State Bulldogs this Saturday. The Bulldogs are enjoying a resurgent year and need just one win to become bowl eligible after missing the postseason last year - their last year in the Western Athletic Conference

Colorado State names Conner Smith starting quarterback against Hawaii

Jim McElwain has named Conner Smith his starting quarterback against Hawaii, and possibly longer if he proves himself.

Week 9 Mountain West football Television schedule

Time to take a look at the five games on the Week 9 Mountain West football slate.

Week 9 betting lines: New Mexico opens as a 13.5-point favorite over Fresno State

Somehow New Mexico opens up as a double-digit favorite over Fresno State. However, this possibly looks like an error.