Diego State running back Chance Bell (21) walks off the field as Nevada running back (3) Jamaal Bell and defensive end Sam Hammond celebrate their win in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
RENO, Nev. (AP) - Carson Strong threw two touchdown passes and Nevada's defense stifled San Diego State in the second half, stopping the Aztecs with a last-minute goal-line stand in a 26-21 victory on Saturday.
Darren Hall intercepted Strong at the Wolf Pack 26 with 3:23 remaining. The Aztecs (3-2, 3-2 Mountain West) reached the Nevada 6 with 1 1/2 minutes left but were stopped on a fourth-and-goal with 29 seconds remaining.
Strong was 31-of-46 passing for 288 yards, going over 4,000 for his career. His 53-yard score to Romeo Doubs gave the Wolf Pack (5-0, 5-0) a 23-21 lead in the third quarter before Brandon Talton added his fourth field goal of the game.
Doubs finished with 133 yards receiving on five catches. He came in ranked first in the nation at 161.3 yards per game and has over 100 yards in every game this season.
The Aztecs led 21-16 at halftime behind quarterback Lucas Johnson, a Georgia Tech transfer making his first start for San Diego State. Johnson scored on a 35-yard run and threw a 7-yard score to Kobe Smith. Greg Bell added a 2-yard rushing TD late in the first half but had rolled an ankle while fumbling early in the game and finished with just 28 yards on nine carries. He was averaging over 134 yards a game rushing. The Aztecs had just 109 yards on the ground after coming in at 280.3, third-best in the nation.
After giving up 252 yards to San Diego State in the first half, Nevada held the Aztecs to just 41 in the second half and forced five consecutive three-and-outs. The Wolf Pack had 376 yards of offense against the nation's second-ranked defense (243.5).
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Nevada quarterback Carson Strong hands off to running back Toa Taua in the first half of an NCAA football game against San Diego State, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
San Diego State running back Greg Bell runs for a first down against Nevada during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
Nevada quarterback Carson Strong passes for a first down in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Diego State, Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
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San Diego State quarterback Kaegun Williams throws a first-down pass against Nevada during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press
San Diego State quarterback Kaegun Williams (7) looks to throw against Nevada during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
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San Diego State quarterback Kaegun Williams throws a first-down pass against Nevada during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
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Nevada takes the field to face San Diego State in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
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Nevada quarterback Carson Strong (12) celebrates with wide receiver Cole Turner after a touchdown pass against San Diego State during an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 21, 2020, in Reno, Nev. (AP Photo/Lance Iversen)
The Associated Press