Arizona Bowl 2015, Nevada vs Colorado State: Full highlights, final score and more
The Nevada Wolf Pack ran all over the Colorado State Rams to win the inaugural Arizona Bowl.
While the Nevada Wolf Pack and Colorado State Rams were disappointed to be facing a conference opponent in a bowl game, they didn’t show it Tuesday night at Arizona Stadium. Nevada took down the Rams 28-22 to win the inaugural Arizona Bowl, in a contest that was close and exciting throughout.
Even without running back Don Jackson, one of two Wolf Pack rushers with 1,000 yards on the season, for much of the first half due to suspension and then injury, Nevada was able to jump out to a 3-0 lead after fifteen minutes. The Wolf Pack defense came out strong and forced an interception on Colorado State’s first possession, while quarterback Tyler Stewart picked up some of the slack on the ground with 21 rushing yards on Nevada’s first possession.
After another Nevada field goal to open the second, Colorado State’s offense finally put together a drive, but was stuffed on a fourth down near the goal line. The Rams were then able to force a Nevada three-and-out to set up good field position, and star wide receiver Rashard Higgins immediately rattled off a 38-yard catch and run before quarterback Nick Stevens punched it in to take the lead.
Things would really open up after that. Jackson’s absence didn’t seem to hurt leading rusher James Butler, who broke off a 77-yard touchdown run on Nevada’s next drive. Colorado State added another short field goal with under two minutes remaining in the half to make the deficit 13-10.
Nevada would get some separation immediately with another big play on Elijah Mitchell’s 96-yard kickoff return, although it missed an extra point that would prove to be important. Colorado State marched down the field in just over a minute for yet another short field goal and 19-13 deficit at halftime. While the Rams handily outgained the Wolf Pack in the first half, their inability to finish off drives and big plays from Nevada made the difference in the first half.
The Wolf Pack chewed up over five minutes on their opening drive of the second half en route to a field goal, using a surprising mix of run and pass. Colorado State responded with a long drive of its own primarily fueled by the ground game and finally converted in the red zone on Jasen Oden Jr.’s 9-yard touchdown run.
Despite being gashed by Butler early on the drive, Colorado State’s defense finally made a play with a fourth down stop deep in its own territory. Colorado State advanced over midfield on its next drive before it was stalled by a crucial fourth down to keep the Nevada lead at 22-20 with ten minutes to go.
After another stop, the Rams were able to re-take the lead for the first time since early in the second quarter. A long Higgins reception set up another short field goal for Wyatt Bryan and a 23-22 lead.
Nevada’s run-dependent offense looked to be in trouble with just under four minutes remaining, but the Wolf Pack found a way to get the ball down the field quickly. After a couple of long runs, Stewart found Hasaan Henderson on a 22-yard gain for just his sixth completion of the game to set the Wolf Pack up in the red zone. Butler ran it in on third and goal to five Nevada a 28-23 lead with just over a minute remaining.
Colorado State wasn’t done yet and drove all the way down to the 10-yard line, but ran out of time when Jordon Vaden failed to get out of bounds on a completed pass. While the Wolf Pack were outgained by nearly 200 yards, their running game could not be stopped, and the defense held well enough in its own territory.
Three Stars
Ian Seau, DE, Nevada. Not a great day for the Nevada defense overall, but Seau was in the backfield constantly and helped force the key interception early in the game.
Elijah Mitchell, KR/CB, Nevada. Kick return stands out as huge play in a game that was within one possession for nearly the duration.
James Butler, RB, Nevada. Even with Jackson limited and little help from the rest of the Nevada territory, ran the ball 24 times for 189 yards and two scores.
Highlights
"Wow! A HUGE INT to start the game for @NevadaFootball! That was incredible! Watch Live: https://t.co/5JyJpuU5GN https://t.co/aaq0YIXj4G— Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) December 30, 2015"
".@NevadaFootball‘s Brent Zuzo nails a 19-yard FG to start off the scoring here in Tucson! Wolf Pack are up 3-0! https://t.co/v9Gr3Ix4vN — Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) December 30, 2015"
"What a drive by @CSUFootball!! Relive the TD that capped it off in this short clip presented by @Cadillac! https://t.co/gHuItHUNyT — Campus Insiders (@CampusInsiders) December 30, 2015"
"He gone! @NevadaFootball‘s James Butler goes 77 yards to give the Pack a 13-7 advantage over @CSUFootball #mwfb https://t.co/u5jIWwQsw6 — Mountain West (@MountainWest) December 30, 2015"
"Elijah Mitchell Takes It to the House! #MWFB‘s second KOR TD of the bowl season and @NevadaFootball up 19-10 https://t.co/QHQvPMRiK6 — Mountain West (@MountainWest) December 30, 2015"
"Jasen Oden’s nine-yard touchdown run puts @CSUFootball within 2! @NevadaFootball up 22-20 with 3:55 left in 3Q #mwfb https://t.co/8A2KClaZfq — Mountain West (@MountainWest) December 30, 2015"
"Butler puts @NevadaFootball back on top with a four-yard TD run. 28-23 Wolf Pack with 1:06 left in @AZBowlGame #mwfb https://t.co/tjJLD79jQu— Mountain West (@MountainWest) December 30, 2015"
Odds
Nevada ended as a 4.5 point underdog and was able to win outright. The two teams fell just short of the over/under of 56.
Up Next
Nevada finished at 7-6 for the fourth time in five seasons, but can build on its first bowl win since 2010. Colorado State will look to improve from 7-6 in the second year under head coach Mike Bobo.