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Nevada vs. Cal: Carson Strong Throws Pair Of TD’s F0r 22-14 Win
Wolf Pack top a good Pac-12 defense
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Strong to Doubs was on display
Nevada excels, improves to 1-0.
It took a full quarter for the Wolf Pack to wake up, but Nevada was able to go into Berkeley and get a 22-17 win against the Golden Bears.
Damien Moore kicked off the scoring with a one-yard touchdown rush capping off a nine-minute and five-second first drive for California. The Golden Bears averaged 4.2 yards per play on their way to the end zone. It was a different story for Nevada. The Wolf Pack went three-and-out gaining only six yards and burning a mere 90 seconds off the clock.
It was more of the same for the Golden Bears in the following possession. Cal burned out the rest of the time in the first quarter, ending on a two yard fade from Chase Garbers to Nikko Remigio for California’s second score of the evening. The Golden Bears held on to the ball for a total of 13 minutes and 13 seconds in the first quarter.
Whatever Jay Norvell said to the players during the first quarter break worked. Nevada finally got on the board thanks to a 44 yard field goal by Brandon Talton. That kick turned out to be the spark the Wolf Pack needed.
Nevada’s defense was able to keep the Golden Bears off the board, giving Nevada the chance to make it 14-10 thanks to a 43 yard bomb from Strong to Romeo Doubs. Nevada’s defensive adjustments proved to be key, forcing Cal to three straight three-and-outs to end the half. Talton nailed a 35-yard field goal as time expired and Nevada trailed by one, 14-13 going into the half.
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Nevada came out the gates firing on all cylinders receiving the kick, marching down the field and capping a seven play, three minute drive with a 16 yard touchdown pass from Strong to Elijah Cooks. The touchdown capped off a 19 to zero point run for the Wolf Pack.
An interception by Wake Forest transfer Isaiah Essissima with 4:30 left in the game sealed the deal for the Wolf Pack. Nevada’s defense completely turned a 180 from the first quarter. Holding Cal to only three points in the final three quarters. The Golden Bears completely abandoned the running game that served them so well in the first quarter. They ran 13 times early on. A combined 14 times in the final three quarters.
Carson Strong had a great opening game throwing for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The three pass catchers for Nevada on the Biletnikoff watch list had a stellar game as well. Cole Turner had seven catches for 75 yards. Doubs finished with an impressive six catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Elijah Cooks rounded out the trio with a touchdown catch of his own after getting injured in the first game of the 2020 season. The defense had two sacks, four tackles for losses, and one interception.
The Wolf Pack now returns to Reno to play Idaho State in Mackay Stadium, while Cal travels to Fort Worth to battle TCU.
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