MWC Week Three Outcomes & Game of the Week

A quick recap of the MWC action from Week Three:

Game 1 - Tennessee Tech 12, Utah State 73

The Aggies started Week 3 off on Thursday night by completely dominating the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles from the FCS. The score was 45 to 6 at the half. Beyond that, Utah State out-gained Tennessee Tech, 611 yards to 227 yards.

Game 2 - Hawaii 21, Army 28

Army showed the country how to keep Army from putting up 40+ points in a game. The answer? Keep the Rainbow Warriors from having the ball. Army handily won the time of possession in this game 41:18 to 18:42. The game was an interesting contrast of styles as Hawaii threw for 321 yds and 2 TD’s while Army ran for 303 yds and 4 TD’s.

Game 3 - Boise State 21, Oklahoma State 44

The Broncos played hard and even drew first blood in this game. Unfortunately, Oklahoma State would immediately answer Boise State with a score of their own, and the Broncos would never lead again in this game. Overall, the yardage was comparable - Boise State 414 yds to Oklahoma State 422 yds. Largely the game was lost in the trenches. The Cowboys had 7 sacks and 10 tackles-for-loss while the Broncos only averaged 1.1 yds/rush.

Game 4 - Wofford 14, Wyoming 17

The Cowboys got a TD in the final minute of the game to avoid a loss to an FCS team. Overall, the two teams were evenly matched as Wyoming finished with 313 yards while Wofford finished with 294 yards. Wofford did it on the ground, finishing with 221 yds & 2 TD’s rushing. Wyoming did it (surprisingly) through the air, finishing with 224 yds and 2 TD’s passing.

Game 5 - Colorado State 10, Florida 48

The Rams were over-matched from the start in this game. The score was 27 to 3 at the half. It was not because of the Gators offense though. Big plays and turnovers doomed the Rams. Florida had 2 TD’s on punts (one returned & one blocked). Colorado State also committed 3 turnovers and missed 2 field goals on offense.

Game 6 - San Jose State 22, Oregon 35

The Spartans did well to keep the final score in this game respectable; though, the score was 35 to 12 early in the 4th. San Jose State was able to throw the ball fairly well against Oregon, finishing with 267 yds and a TD. That kept the Spartans in the game as San Jose State finished with just 29 yards rushing, averaging 1 yd/carry.

Game 7 - Oregon State 35, Nevada 37

Nevada jumped out to an early 30 to 7 lead in this one, and the Wolf Pack did just enough to hang on. Nevada won this game largely due to winning the turnover battle, 3 to 1. One of those turnovers was a fumble returned for a TD. Nevada had a nice run/pass balance, running for 156 yds and 2 TD’s and throwing for 201 yds and 2 TD’s. The Beavers managed 540 yards of offense against the Nevada defense, but missed a field goal that could have won the game in the final seconds.

Game 8 - New Mexico 42, New Mexico State 25

New Mexico State jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, leading 17 to 7. That lead was helped by some sloppy play from the Lobos, including a pick-six. The Aggies would return the favor over the last three quarters by throwing 5 interceptions. That would prove the difference as New Mexico State would out-gain New Mexico on the day, 368 yards to 325 yards.

Game 9 - Prairie View 17, UNLV 46

The Rebels took care of this one early, going into the half up 34 to 0. UNLV continues to run the ball very well, finishing with 314 yards and 5 TD’s rushing. Prairie View managed to get on the scoreboard in the 2nd half behind a passing attack that managed 238 yards and 2 TD’s through the air.

Game 10 - Arizona State 21, San Diego State 28

The Aztecs knocked off the #23 ranked Arizona State Sun Devils in a close game. It was one of those games of opposites. San Diego State ran the ball at will, finishing with 311 yards and 2 TD’s rushing. Arizona State could not, finishing with 36 yards rushing for a 1.5 yd/rush average. The Sun Devils made their mark throwing the ball, finishing with 341 yards and 2 TD’s passing.

Game 11 - Fresno State 38, UCLA 14

The Bulldogs went into the Rose Bowl and thoroughly beat the Bruins. Fresno State out-gained UCLA, 420 yds to 270 yds. Fresno State won the turnover battle, 4 to 2. Fresno State maintained a 2 to 1 advantage in the time of possession. Fresno State embarrassed UCLA.

Game of the Week - Oregon State at Nevada

I’ve got to give some love to San Diego State and Fresno State. San Diego State knocked off a ranked Arizona State. Fresno State absolutely owned UCLA in the Rose Bowl. For me though, I’m going with Nevada this week. All three teams managed to beat a PAC12 team, so it was a great week for the MWC vs the PAC12. Fresno State and San Diego State won 10 games last season and showed the better MWC teams could compete with the PAC12. However, Nevada went 3-9 last season. Nevada showed a huge improvement from last season when Idaho State beat them at home in non-conference. Also, late game dramatics that come down to a field goal are some of the greatest moments in college football. In case you missed it:

Let us know which game you thought was the Game of the Week in Week Three.