Best In The West: Week 13
It's about time for week 14 in the Mountain West. Get ready with a look back through an important slate of week 13 results. Best In The West:
Best in the West is The Aggship's weekly Mountain West football round-up.
UNLV 38, Hawaii 10
After sneaking by Utah State in a double overtime win at home, another in a long string of close calls for the Rebels, UNLV made a statement against Hawaii.
The Rainbow Warriors faltered slightly when they lost to San Jose State in week 11, but they’re still one of the best teams in the conference, which they proved in dominating fashion against San Diego State last week, 38-6.
Hawaii’s prowess makes UNLV’s 28-point win here even more impressive. The Rebels got a big performance from quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who completed 21 of 26 passes for 253 yards and three touchdowns and 16 more yards on the ground. UNLV will head north to Reno to take on the Wolf Pack for the Fremont Cannon this week.
The Rainbow Warriors are still in the midst of one of their best seasons in recent memory and have a chance to add one more regular season win before bowl season as they host Wyoming.
San Diego State 25, San Jose State 3
After suffering a dud against Hawaii in week 11, the Aztecs have won back-to-back games, each big in its own way. Last week’s was a win over Boise State to solidify their spot at the top of the conference, and this week’s was a 25-3 trouncing of San Jose State.
San Diego State flexed its strong defense and got plenty out of its offense on the way to victory. The defense grabbed two picks and four sacks and held the Spartans to a single field goal. Jayden Denegal led an underwhelming charge in the air and threw 8 of 16 completions for 81 yards without a touchdown. On the ground, Lucky Sutton led a sufficient rushing attack with 20 carries for 79 yards and a touchdown. Christian Washington added 70 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries and Denegal added a score, although he ended the night with negative rushing yards.
San Diego State has a trip to Albuquerque on deck. The Lobos are on the hunt for a shot at the title game and will be hungry for a win over the Aztecs that could help get them there. San Jose State has fallen to 3-8 (2-5) on the year and will close out the season by hosting Fresno State.
Boise State 49, Colorado State 21
Other than an inexplicable exception from Fresno State, the conference has used Colorado State as a green and gold punching bag this year. Boise State followed suit to flush back-to-back losses out of its system.
The Broncos moved 533 yards and forced four turnovers. Max Cutforth was 22 of 34 for 239 yards. Boise State moved better on the ground and scored exclusively through that rushing attack, as Sire Gaines took 22 carries for 149 yards and two touchdowns, Dylan Riley took 14 carries for 72 yards and a score, and Malik Sherrod scored twice and added 56 yards on just seven carries.
The 49-21 beatdown put the Broncos at 2-2 in their last four, 7-4 overall, and 5-2 in conference. As one of three teams in the Mountain West with two losses heading into the final week of the regular season, the Broncos are fighting for a ticket to the title game. They are on the road against Utah State and will need outside help even if they win.
Colorado State remains with two wins on the year at 2-9 (1-6), and has already entered the new coach stage of the season as it welcomed Jim Mora. But, the Rams still have to finish this season with a bout with Air Force before that means anything.
New Mexico 20, Air Force 3
Shutting the Falcons out for three quarters and scoring 17 in the first half, the Lobos made quick work of an Air Force team suffering one of its worst seasons under Troy Calhoun.
Jack Layne completed 10 of 15 passes for 105 yards, but his only touchdown was on the ground, where he ran eight times for 24 yards and a score.
The Lobos, who are enjoying historic success under first-year head coach Jason Eck, are not only thriving heading into the final week of the season, but they still have title hopes. Bowl eligibility was secured weeks ago for this New Mexico squad, and now it has its eyes set on a Mountain West championship game berth, which it could secure with a win over San Diego State.
Air Force is at Colorado State this week, where both will be waiting to finally close miserable campaigns.
Nevada 13, Wyoming 7
It’s too little, way too late, but Nevada may be onto something down the stretch. After suffering a 51-14 loss in Logan, the Wolf Pack have bounced back with a combined 68-17 score differential in back-to-back wins.
Their third victim of the year was the Wyoming Cowboys, who fell flat in their final game in Laramie this year. With two wins in a row, the Wolf Pack have a record of 3-8 (2-5), while Wyoming fell to 4-7 (2-5).
Nevada looks to keep the momentum going and play spoiler as it hosts in-state rival UNLV, and the Cowboys are headed to Hawaii to play the Rainbow Warriors.
