Let's Go Streaking!
Historical winning streaks ruled the weekend
Streaking is in. Not the kind where you take off your clothes and run, but the type of streaks that keep one school dominant over the other.
All six teams that went into the weekend with the superior historical statistical advantage won, including Utah State with a seventh consecutive win over Hawai’i and both Air Force and Fresno State who each won a fifth in a row over their opponents (New Mexico and UNLV respectively).
Boise State won a 17th game in 19 tries against Nevada, while Wyoming continued its recent dominance over Colorado State.
As far as the MWC standings go, Fresno remains a game in front in the West Division, while Boise – unbeaten in league play – continues to lead the Mountain Division.
At the bottom, Nevada has lost eight straight and New Mexico seven in a row.
Mountain West Madness
Fresno State 37 UNLV 30
Fresno State has now won 5 in a row over UNLV.
Fresno continued its resurrection with an important win over UNLV in Las Vegas. Jake Haener was 28/34 for 313 yards and three touchdowns, including two big strikes to Jalen Moreno-Cropper as the Bulldogs maintained a one-game lead atop the West Division. UNLV fought hard in this one, with Aidan Robbins running for 144 yards and a touchdown but red zone inefficiency and the inability to make big stops cost them. After a 4-1 start, the Rebels need to win their final two games to be bowl eligible.
Air Force 35 New Mexico 3
Air Force has now won 5 in a row over New Mexico.
Air Force outgained UNM 470 yards to 173, but get this … the Falcons had 428 yards rushing to just 45 for the Lobos! Brad Roberts kept up his MWC Player of the Year bid with 163 yards and Hazeeq Daniels ran for 113 yards, threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. There are serious problems in Albuquerque (as if we didn’t know that already) with the Lobos losing their 7th straight.
Wyoming 14 Colorado State 13
Wyoming has now won 6 of the last 7 against CSU.
Cowboys’ backup quarterback Jayden Clemons rose to the occasion after starter Andrew Peasley was hurt, throwing a touchdown pass and running for another as the Bronze Boot headed back to Laramie. It was another good effort from Jay Norvell’s Rams, who outgained Wyoming 371 yards to 236, but once again failed miserably inside the red zone (they’re 4 of 21 on the season).
Boise State 41 Nevada 3
Boise State has now won 7 of the last 8 against Nevada.
No surprise here as the Broncos rebounded from the BYU loss by crushing hapless Nevada, now losers of eight in a row. Boise had a balanced attack, with 261 yards passing and 287 yards rushing. Talen Green threw for a touchdown and ran in another, while George Holani had 115 yards on the ground and two TD’s. The Broncos averaged 7.5 yards per play, while the Wolf Pack were held to a measly 3.6.
San Diego State 43 San Jose State 27
San Diego State has now won 9 of the last 10 against the Spartans.
The Spartans took a 14-0 lead but the Aztecs reeled off 17 straight, starting with Jordan Byrd’s 95-yard kickoff return TD as they cruised to a crucial win. After a slow start, SDSU is now bowl eligible and QB Jalen Mayden earned MWC Offensive Player of the Week honors for his performance: 17 of 22 for 268 yards and 3 TD’s. The Aztecs outgained the Spartans 425 yards to 223. Both teams are 4-2 in the West Division, trailing Fresno State (on top with a 5-1 record).
Utah State 41 Hawai’i 34
Utah State has now won 7 in a row over Hawai’i.
Highly entertaining game courtesy of the Team 1 Sports App, which continues to be good value for UH home games as long as you don’t mind watching on your phone. The Aggies went ahead on the second play of the game and never gave up the lead in a shootout that saw the teams combine for more than 900 yards of total offense (374 for USU, an astounding 543 for UH). The Warriors were hurt by turnovers – four to Utah State’s zero – and penalties, which saw them flagged 11 times for 125 yards. The Aggies, the MWC’s most penalized team, had 9 penalties for 80 yards.
