So I missed this last week (which I'm sure everyone lost sleep over, sorry) due in part to being busy and there not being a whole lot of interesting news from the three teams (aside from Nevada beating Fresno, but I was pretty sure everyone had heard that already). Anyway back on track this week, though since I am late getting it up I am going to try and keep this one short.
Hawaii Beats Idaho on Late Field Goal
Hawaii had a scare last week when they almost lost to Idaho. They were down by 1 with 32 seconds left on the clock when kicker Kenton Chun came in and nailed a clutch 35-yard field goal to put them ahead for the win. In some of the lighter news I could find, apparently coach Greg McMackin botched his kickers name on a radio show a couple days before the game.
A few days ago, head coach Greg McMackin inadvertently botched kicker Kenton Chun's name on the coach's radio show.
After Chun kicked the winning 35-yard field goal today, McMackin said: "Kenton Chun. I know his name now."
I guess that's one way to get your coach to notice you.
Hawaii takes on Utah State this Saturday in Honolulu. Utah State has been a tough but beatable team so far, so it won't be a game Hawaii will take lightly.
Fresno State Bulldogs
Fresno is coming off a bye this week and take on La Tech this Saturday. La Tech has looked better this year from years past as well, which has been a trend for most of the WAC teams. La Tech's defense has improved against the run, holding five of eight opponents below 100 yards. Rouse figures to again get a ton of work against them though, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him become the third 100 yard rusher against them this year.
Here's a story on three promising red-shirt freshman Fresno has
Heading into a bye week this week, Nevada bested New Mexico State last week, though it wasn't easy. Nevada's secondary gave up 432 yards passing, most of which came on something like 20 or 30 deep passes (not sure of the actual number, but that's what it felt like when I watched the game. It was a lot). Nevada corners Isaiah Frey and Zack Madonick were very disappointed with their play after the game calling their performance 'ugly'. After the game Coach Ault was unhappy with how the defense played overall, but praised them for rallying late to seal the victory. Credit definitely goes out to New Mexico State QB Matt Christian who had a terrific game and played through an injury to his non-throwing shoulder late in the game. The injury affected him a great deal as he was on one knee every time he hit the sidelines, a very gutsy performance by the young quarterback.