Wolf Pack finishes winless in home games, loss to Fresno State

By Derek Raridon

The Fresno State Bulldogs beat out the Nevada Wolf Pack in a 41-14 loss — finishing winless at home versus conference opponents for the first time.

Nevada started the game tumbling out of the gate. The Nevada offense started the game with a three and out. Although they were able to muster up more plays per drive afterwards, the team did not get past their 38-yard line for the entire quarter. Meanwhile, the Fresno State offense capitalized and scored 17 points in their three possessions of the quarter.

The Wolf Pack trailed 17-0 into the second quarter.

The second quarter saw Nevada improve on the defensive side. The Nevada defense held the Bulldogs to one touchdown, not allowing Fresno State past their 40-yard line, for the rest of the drive – with an exception on the scoring drive. However, unlike their opponent in the previous quarter, the Nevada offense was not able to produce any offense for the second quarter in a row.

Nevada trailed 24-0 at the start of the second half.

The third quarter showed promise for the Wolf Pack as their offense pushed Fresno State’s side of the field for the first time, going as far as the 20-yard line. However, Nevada’s first score would come a 73-yard passing touchdown from Nate Cox, Nevada quarterback, to Dalvon Campbell, wide receiver. With a missed field goal early on and a made one later by Fresno State, the Wolf Pack trailed 27-7 after three quarters.

Nevada combined their performance from the first and third quarters in the fourth. Similar to the third, the Wolf Pack put points on the board on their last drive of the game, ending it with a 28-yard touchdown pass from Cox to BJ Casteel, Nevada wide receiver. Fresno State overshadowed Nevada’s touchdown with rushing touchdowns on two of their three drives in the quarter.

The Bulldogs used their final drive to run the clock down by kneeling down. Nevada lost 41-14.

With this loss, Nevada moved to 2-9 on the year — 0-7 in conference play — going into their final game of the season. The loss also marked the first time in school history that Nevada went winless at home versus conference opponents at home.

The Wolf Pack’s final game of the season will be at Allegiant Stadium, where the program will take on the UNLV Rebels in Las Vegas in the Battle for Nevada.