Nevada quarterback Carson Strong (12) is tackled by the Fresno State defense during the second halfof an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Carson Strong threw three of his career-high five touchdown passes to Tory Horton and Nevada beat Fresno State 37-26 on Saturday night in a key Mountain West Conference matchup.
Nevada (6-1, 6-1) kept pace with San Jose State (5-0, 5-0), which beat Hawaii 35-24 earlier Saturday.
Horton, a freshman from Fresno, California, caught a 17-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and an 85-yarder early in the fourth. On third-and-10, he beat and then jumped over a defender in the end zone for a 32-yard score with 5:32 to play.
Strong completed 23 of 39 passes for 354 yards. Horton finished with five catches for 148 yards.
Fresno State's Jake Haener threw a program-high 65 passes, completing 41 including a pair of touchdown passes. He surpassed Brian Burrell, who had 59 pass attempts against Nebraska on Nov. 13, 2014.
Keric Wheatfall had 113 yards receiving and a 19-yard touchdown catch for the Bulldogs (3-2, 3-2). Jalen Cropper added 107 yards receiving and Zane Pope another 96 yards with a 21-yard touchdown catch late in the game.
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Fresno State's Dalen Jones (5) catches a pass in front of Nevada's Austin Arnold (28) during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
Fresno State quarterback Jake Haener (9) is sacked by Nevada defensive lineman Daniel Grzesiak (44) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
Nevada wide receiver Jeshua Fixel (20) celebrates his touchdown with Berdale Robins (1) during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Fresno State on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/ Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
Nevada running back Toa Taua carries for a first down against Fresno State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
Fresno State wide receiver Michael Martens (87) left blocks for wide receiver L.J. Reed (11) on the way to Reed's touchdown against Nevada during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
Fresno State quarte back Jake Haener (9) throws a pass against Nevada during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
Nevada's Jack Powers (23) greets tight end Cole Turner (19) after Turner scored against Fresno State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
Nevada's Brandon Talton (43) kicks a field goal against Fresno State during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press