RENO, Nev. - Turnovers doomed Nevada for the second week in a row, as the Wolf Pack committed three costly giveaways Saturday night which set up Middle Tennessee's fourth-quarter comeback and a 27-20 Blue Raiders win.
Two Wolf Pack fumbles in the second half led to Blue Raider touchdowns, the second of which proved the winner. Nevada running back
Herschel Turner fumbled on a third-and-long and Middle Tennessee recovered at the Wolf Pack 21. Turner was initially ruled down but after a review the officials overturned the call. With a short field, Middle Tennessee (2-1) found the end zone in five plays, the last of which being Antonio Martin Jr.'s three-yard scoring run with 5:59 to go.
Nevada (1-2) drove into Blue Raider territory on its ensuing drive, but on fourth-and-two from the Middle Tennessee 44,
Dominic Kelley was stopped for no gain. The Blue Raiders took over with 3:15 to play and gained two first downs, the last of which on Martin's one-yard gain on fourth-and-short to clinch the win.
The first fumble of the half came on the first play from scrimmage of the third quarter as
Carter Jones was strip-sacked by Jackson Lowe with Lowe recovering at the Wolf Pack 17. The Blue Raiders needed just four plays to find the end zone and take the 17-10 lead on Roman Gagliano's 10-yard pass to Cam'ron Lacy.
Middle Tennessee stymied the Wolf Pack run game Saturday, holding Nevada to just 78 yards on 34 carries. Kelley started the scoring on Nevada's opening drive, plunging in from a yard out on fourth-and-goal after
Gerick Robinson's 47-yard punt return set the Wolf Pack up at the Middle Tennessee 38. Robinson was electric in his role Saturday, averaging 16.6 yards over five returns and even had a 70-yard touchdown return called back due to a holding penalty, further frustrating the Pack.
Damien Morgan led Nevada with four receptions for 60 yards while
Gary Givens III had two catches for 38 yards. Kelley and Jones ran for Wolf Pack touchdowns while on defense linebacker
EJ Smith led Nevada in tackles for the third-straight game, finishing with 11.
Nevada will open Mountain West play at home next Saturday, hosting Air Force in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
