Fresno State Athletics
Football Travels To Nevada With WAC Title On The Line
11/22/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
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Nov. 22, 2005
No. 16 Fresno State (8-2, 6-0) vs. Nevada (7-3, 6-1)
Date: Saturday, Nov. 26
Kickoff: 4 p.m. PT
Site: Mackay Stadium (31,900)
Radio: KMJ (AM 580); Dog Talk at 2 p.m.; Countdown to Kickoff (3:30 p.m.)
Play-by-Play: Bill Woodward; Analyst: Mark Barsotti; Sideline: Ron Shapley
Television: ESPN2
Play-by-Play: Sean McDonough; Analyst: Mike Gottfried; Sideline: Alex Flanagan
Up Next
The winner of Saturday's Fresno State vs. Nevada game will clinch a share of the WAC championship. Nevada (7-3, 6-1) is playing its final game of the season and with a win could do no worse than tie for the championship. The Bulldogs have two games remaining and need one win in the next two games to earn at least share of the crown.
Dogs Stick at No. 16
Despite Fresno State's loss at No. 1 USC, the Bulldogs remained ranked No. 16 in this week's USA Today Coaches Poll and the Associated Press poll. Fresno State received more votes in this week's AP poll than the previous week.
About the Pack
Nevada has been one of the WAC's biggest surprise teams this year, already becoming bowl eligible and in their final game looking for their eighth win. Nevada's seven wins are the most since the 1996 season, when the Wolf Pack recorded nine wins and captured the Las Vegas Bowl championship. Hall of Fame coach Chris Ault returned to the sidelines in 2004, and in his second season led the Pack to a winning season for the first time in 10 years. Nevada is led on offense by B.J. Mitchell, the WAC's top running back, who averages 114.5 yards per game and ranks No. 15 in the nation. Quarterback Jeff Rowe is third in the WAC in passing yards and has thrown 19 touchdowns this season. Nevada ranks No. 27 in the NCAA in scoring at 32.3 points per game. The only WAC loss this season for the Wolf Pack was to Boise State 49-14 on Oct. 29.
Series History
Fresno State leads the series 22-12-1 since it began in 1923. The Dogs have won six in a row in the series, including last season, 54-17 at Bulldog Stadium. Fresno State has won 11 of the last 14 in the series. Nevada's last win was Sept. 26, 1998 at Fresno State, which was Pat Hill's last non-conference home loss.
Dogs on the Deuce
Saturday's game was picked-up by ESPN2 and will be broadcast on the network. It will be Fresno State's seventh game on regional or national television this year. Fresno State will be appearing on ESPN2 in each of their final two games. The Dogs' match-up against Louisiana Tech on Dec. 2 will also be on ESPN2.
Streaking
Fresno State enters this week having won 14 of its last 16 games dating back to last season. The only two losses were to team Top 10 ranked teams, a three-point loss (37-34) at No. 10 Oregon and last week's 50-42 loss at No. 1 USC. In their the last 16 games, Fresno State is averaging 45.7 points per game in since starting that run. The Dogs' defense has been equally impressive, allow just 18.5 points per game. The Dogs have won 11 straight WAC games.
WAC Championship on the Line
After this weekend, at least one team can be assured of claiming the title of WAC champion. The winner of the Fresno State vs. Nevada game will earn at least a share of the championship. Boise State travels to Louisiana Tech in a battle of two teams with one WAC loss, both needing help to get back into the WAC championship picture.
