College Sports

Strong, Doubs combine to spark Nevada to 34-9 victory

Posted November 05, 2020 6:00 am

The Associated Press

Nevada quarterback Carson Strong (12) during the first half of the team's NCAA college football game against Utah State on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen) The Associated Press

RENO, Nev. (AP) - Carson Strong and Romeo Doubs connected for three first-half touchdowns and Nevada defeated Utah State 34-9 on Thursday night for the Wolf Pack's third straight win to start their season.

Strong was 36-of-52 passing for 411 yards, 9 yards shy of his career high and his fifth straight 300-yard passing game. He has 282 consecutive pass attempts without an interception, the top active streak in the FBS. Doubs made seven catches for 137 yards after a 219-yard receiving day against UNLV last week.

Trailing 9-0, Nevada (3-0, 3-0 Mountain West) rallied behind Strong and Doubs. Strong extended a play before finding Doubs for a 42-yard score, hit Doubs again on a fourth-and-goal for a 3-yard TD and then tossed a 54-yarder to Doubs on a post pattern for a 21-9 halftime lead.

Toa Taua ran for a 15-yard TD and his 60-yard run set up Brandon Talton's 36-yard field goal to lead 31-9 after three quarters. Tua finished with 107 yards on 12 carries. The Wolf Pack outgained the Aggies 542-210.

Nevada is off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2010 when they began 6-0.

Utah State (0-3, 0-3) got off to a quick start with AJ Vongphachanh's sack of Carson in the end zone and Jason Shelley's 4-yard touchdown pass to Justin McGriff for a 9-0 lead.

The Aggies are 0-3 for the first time since 2007 when they lost their first 10 games.

No fans were allowed at the game.

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Utah State quarterback Jason Shelley (15) stretches out for more yards after being tripped up during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nevada on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen) The Associated Press

Nevada quarterback Carson Strong throws a pass against Utah State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen) The Associated Press

Utah State's Jaylen Warren (20) runs for a first down against Nevada during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen) The Associated Press

Utah State's Justin McGriff (10) celebrates his touchdown reception with Cam Lampkin (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Nevada on Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen) The Associated Press

Utah State's Justn McGriff (10) catches a touchdown pass from Jason Shelley in front of Nevada's AJ King (25) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Thursday, Nov. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen) The Associated Press

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