The Wolf Pack Earned An Impressive Road Victory On Saturday Night As They Defeated Hawaii 40-22
Nevada used a balanced, run-oriented attack and a tough defense to knock-off Hawaii on the road to improve their record to 4-4.
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Wolf Pack Improve to 4-4 With Impressive Victory On The Road Over Hawaii.
The Nevada Wolf Pack defense held a very talented Hawaii offense to just 14 points for almost three quarters and stopped the Rainbow Warrior offense four times on fourth down as the Wolf Pack put on an impressive performance defeating Hawaii 40-22 late Saturday night.
The Wolf Pack played their best game of the season so far in taking care of Hawaii on the road. This game was more impressive than Nevada dropping 72 on FCS opponent Portland State or grinding out a win against Air Force or a last second missed field goal by the Beavers to defeat Oregon State. Nevada’s defense played very well again as they limited the Hawaii offense to just 22 points and limiting the Rainbow Warriors to just 3 for 15 on third down and 1 for 5 on fourth down.
Despite three turnovers, the Wolf Pack offense turned in a very good outing especially when it came to running the ball. Nevada had four rushing touchdowns and two of them came from freshman Devonte Lee. Lee’s fellow classmate Toa Taua was the featured running back for the Wolf Pack rushing attack as Taua carried the ball 18 times for 126 yards and rushed for a touchdown. Taua also went two for two in the passing department as well for Nevada.
Ty Gangi played an efficient game last night as he went 21 for 29 passing for 247 yards and threw for a touchdown. For a team that runs an “Air Raid” offense, the Wolf Pack offense last night was a balanced one with an emphasis on a rushing attack that limited the Rainbow Warriors offense. It was a very good performance by the Wolf Pack on Saturday night.
It did not start out that way for Nevada earlier on in the game. After Romeo Doubs fumbled a Hawaii punt and the Rainbow Warriors recovered it, Hawaii capitalized when quarterback Cole McDonald connected with Cedric Byrd for an eight-yard touchdown pass to give Hawaii a 7-0 lead.
After Ramiz Ahmed connected on a 23-yard field goal, the Wolf Pack got the ball back and Ty Gangi connected with Elijah Cooks on a 29-yard touchdown pass to put the Wolf Pack up 10-7. Hawaii responded quickly when McDonald connected with John Ursua for a 70-yard touchdown pass to put Hawaii back up 14-10.
That would be the last time Hawaii scored until the fourth quarter as Nevada’s defense shut down the Rainbow Warriors offense for almost three quarters. The Wolf Pack outscored Hawaii 23-0 and never looked back as the Wolf Pack defense kept Hawaii’s offense in check for most of the game. By the time Cole McDonald connected with JoJo Ward for a two-yard touchdown pass, it was 33-22 and it was late in the fourth quarter and the game was about finished.
On Nevada’s next possession, Devonte Lee scored on a six-yard touchdown run to give Nevada a 40-22 lead for good. That score capped off an impressive performance for the Wolf Pack on both sides of the ball.
With the win, the Wolf Pack improves their record to 4-4 and 2-2 in Mountain West conference play. The Wolf Pack return to Reno next Saturday night to host the San Diego State Aztecs.