WAC Round-up
The WAC finished the first weekend of college football 4-6 as every school but Fresno State and Nevada played non-conference games.
Washington 35, San Jose State 29
Isaiah Stanback rushed for 102 yards and threw for 168 to lead the Huskies to victory over Dick Tomey’s pesky Spartan team. San Jose’s Adam Tafrallis had a career day throwing the ball, finishing with 323 yards and three touchdowns on 28-35 passing.
San Jose had a chance to tie or win the game with its last possession, but couldn’t get it done. Stanback was money scrambling for first downs and halfback Louis Rankin busted long gains of 34 and 68 yards for the Huskies.
New Mexico State 30, Southeastern Louisiana 15
The country’s longest losing streak is over as New Mexico State downed Southeastern Louisiana. Sophomore Chase Holbrook made his debut a memorable one, throwing for 381 yards, including 146 to Chris Williams.
Justine Buries carried for 107 yards on the ground for the other Aggies. The victory affirmed Hal Mumme’s status as an offensive whiz. Holbrook transferred to NMSU to play in Mumme’s offense and looked great against the Lions.
Fresno State 28, Nevada 19
Fresno State began it’s 2006 campaign to win the WAC by taking care of the team that wrecked their shot in 2005. Dwayne Wright made his case for comeback player of the year with 158 rushing yards for the Bulldogs.
Pat Hill increased his record in openers to 9-1 as Fresno State ended the Pack’s hopes with a Wright touchdown in the fourth quarter. A Tyler Clutts sack of Jeff Rowe on the ensuing possession was the coup de grace.
Nebraska 49, Louisiana Tech 10
The wrinkles seem to have been ironed out of Bill Callahan’s passing attack at traditional option power Nebraska. Quarterback Zac Taylor and halfback Marlon Lucky had their way with the Bulldog defense and blew a close game open.
In the closing seconds of the second quarter, the score was only 14-10 in the Husker’s favor but Cody Glenn scored with seven seconds left to make it 21-10 and Louisiana Tech couldn’t score in the second half.
Michigan State 27, Idaho 17
Idaho Head Coach Dennis Erickson refused to call it a moral victory, but the Vandals gave their high-powered Big 10 opponent a tough time.
Sophomore Jayson Bird led a physical Idaho rushing attack with 88 yards. Junior linebacker led the stout defensive effort with 16 tackles. MSU needed a late field goal to provide the eventual margin of victory.
Alabama 25, Hawaii 17
Colt Brennan had a big second half, but turnovers and mistakes cost the Warriors the upset of their SEC foe.
Brennan had a chance to tie the game on the final possession, but after orchestrating another long drive, the record-setting qb was intercepted in the end zone.
Keith Brown led the Crimson tide with 132 yards receiving and a touchdown.
Boise State 45, Sacramento State 0
Chris Peterson’s head coaching tenure at Boise State began with an easy win over an overpowered opponent. The Hornets managed just 82 yards against the Broncos’ swarming defense.
Kyle Stringer was named WAC specialty teams player of the week after averaging 50.2 yards a punt in this game. Boise ran up 427 total yards of offense.