The Mountain West title game looks like it’s basically set at this point, where we’ll likely be seeing Boise State and San Diego State. The week started off with San Diego State and Fresno State locking horns in San Diego. The Bulldogs got on the board first with a three yard Ronnie Rivers rush. After that it was all Aztecs. Solid defense and just enough offense got the Aztecs a win. Chase Jasmin scored two touchdowns for the Aztecs and quarterback Ryan Agnew had a career game for the Aztecs and a 17-7 win.
New Mexico traveled north to Boise Idaho to take on the Broncos. Boise State did not spare their feelings as they uncorked a 28 point first quarter and didn’t look back. New Mexico was only able to manage a field goal and touchdown. Jalen Henderson threw three touchdowns for the Broncos. Boise was on the board right away with them taking a New Mexico fumble to the end zone in the first nine seconds. Hawaii came to the mainland and got their hands on UNLV in what could be a last stand for Tony Sanchez. UNLV got on the board first with a Kenyon Oblad touchdown to Darren Woods. After that it was two Cole McDonald touchdown runs and a Cortez Davis interception and that was all the Warriors needed to beat the Rebs.
Wyoming went to Logan Utah to take on the Aggies in their rivalry game and the battle for Bridger’s Rifle. Tough day for Wyoming quarterback Tyler Vander Waal few fired off three interceptions and 185 yards, but also had two rushing touchdowns. Running back Xazavian Valladay rushed for 114 yards for the Cowboys. Logan Wilson continued making his case for defensive player of the year with a 10 yard interception return for a touchdown. Jordan Love tossed two touchdown passes to spark the Aggies. In the night cap Air Force beat Colorado State on the road. Donald Hammond had three touchdown passes for the Falcons, two of those going to Benjamin Waters. The Falcons overcame a 14-0 first quarter deficit for the win.
Coming up this week Wyoming and Colorado State will lock up in the Border War game on Friday night on ESPN2. Air Force will take on New Mexico on ESPN3. San Jose State is taking on UNLV. Boise State and Utah State will face off on CBS SN. Nevada and Fresno State are playing an ESPN2 game on Saturday night. The night cap for the stay up laters is San Diego State and Hawaii from Honolulu, 9:00pm MT start.
Scores
Fresno State 7
San Diego State 17
New Mexico 9
Boise State 42
Hawaii 21
UNLV 7
Wyoming 21
Utah State 26
Air Force 38
Colorado State 21
Mountain West Player of the Week
This week’s Mountain West player of the week is San Diego State quarterback Ryan Agnew. Agnew set personal career bests as the Aztecs defeated Fresno State this past weekend. Agnew was 33/47 for 323 yards and one touchdown.
Mountain West MVP Candidates
Cole McDonald, QB, Hawaii
Josh Love, QB, San Jose State
Jordan Love, QB, Utah State
Warren Jackson, WR, Colorado State
Ahmari Davis, RB, New Mexico
Mountain West Power Rankings
Boise State
Air Force
San Diego State
Hawaii
Utah State
Wyoming
Nevada
Colorado State
Fresno State
San Jose State
New Mexico
UNLV
The Quad Shot
I still cannot find a Mountain West player who is head and shoulders above the rest on the offensive side of the football. Such a strange season that no one is head and shoulders above the rest. Two of the more prolific players in the league are currently out hurt. Jordan Love is having a regression from last season. Cole McDonald was benched last week. Josh Love plays on a not so great team. Such a strange season for a conference who has been so strong this year.
Pretty much looks like we’re going to get a San Diego State and Boise State title game in a few weeks. Don’t see many scenarios where this isn’t how it plays out. San Diego State plays really good defense but certainly not a prolific offensive football team. On the other hand, Boise State plays pretty good defense and doesn’t seem to be struggling a whole lot on offense. Should be a good game, but I just don’t see Boise State losing that one.
Wyoming’s season is quickly unraveling. The defense is playing on another level, but the offense is basically stuck in neutral. The Cowboys are lacking Sean Chambers and depth behind Xazavian Valladay. That’s not sustainable in the very least. It’s hard to think that after watching the Cowboys the last couple weeks that they can get to six wins. Colorado State is looking more potent by the week offensively, and it will take a big effort from Wyoming to beat the Rams in Laramie. They’ll finish the season on a tough note as they play Air Force, who are turning in a very good season of their own.
As many of you know I live in the heart of Big Sky country. I’ve had Montana Grizzly season tickets since 2006. Every week is definitely an experience. This past week the #3 Weber State Wildcats were in town to give their best shot to #5 Montana. As some of you know former UNLV and San Diego State coach Bobby Hauck returned to Missoula last season to be the Grizzly head coach. What a difference two years has made since the departure of Bob Stitt and the transition to Hauck. The Griz are getting stronger as the season goes on. Having the #3 and #5 teams in the country playing in a conference game makes for quite a gameday atmosphere. Only 22,000+ in the stadium yesterday, but definitely felt like a sell-out. I think Wyoming is close to being able to create that kind of atmosphere, but we might still be a couple seasons away from actually seeing it. Days like yesterday were a lot of fun to be a fan, and the weather was impeccable for a mid-November game.