Shaun Astor/ Tahoe Onstage photos
Romeo Doubs’ career night led Nevada to a 21-10 victory over New Mexico on Saturday at Mackay Stadium.
The junior wide receiver shredded New Mexico’s leaky secondary, hauling in 11 passes for a career-high 167 yards and one touchdown. He has both of Nevada’s 100-yard receiving performances this season.
Coming off back-to-back losses, Nevada rebounded on both sides of the ball. The Wolf Pack had 369 yards of total offense, holding the Lobos to a season-low in points with five punts and forcing a fourth down stop in the third quarter and fourth quarter.
Nevada head coach Jay Norvell emphasized preparation prior to Saturday’s game, and it paid off with a solid performance.
“They really committed themselves to the details,” he said. “It’s just a good example of what you have to do to play well. You gotta practice hard, you need to study film. You have to go over your plays and our kids did a good job of that this week, I’m proud of them.”
Redshirt freshman quarterback Carson Strong completed 28-of-40 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns. Strong looked comfortable under center. He got the ball out quick with screen passes and drag routes across the middle to set up the big play downfield.
Doubs gashed the Lobos secondary for a 57-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter to give Nevada the lead. Elijah Cooks added six catches for 74 yards and one touchdown.
Strong and Doubs have formed a connection over the season and it’s adding an explosive element to the Wolf Pack offense.
“Romeo is just unbelievably fast,” Strong said. “I just gotta close my eyes and throw it as high and as far as I can and he can come down with it.”
Sophomore running backs Devonte Lee and Toa Taua helped gave Nevada’s offense a balanced ground game. The duo rushed for 96 rushing yards on 26 carries and one touchdown. Lee finished with a team-high 68 yards and one touchdown.
The Wolf Pack stuffed the Lobos offense with a potent pass rush attack. Sophomore defensive tackle Dom Peterson had a career-high two sacks and three tackles for loss. Tyson Williams collected a team-high seven tackles.
Peterson said that the win was the confidence booster the defense needed.
“We really need this type of win,” he said. “It was a confidence booster and we got our rhythm back. I felt like we came out there and did what we needed to do. …. When we get into the red zone, we just tighten up.”
New Mexico quarterback Tevaka Salanoa-Tuioti was held to 237 passing yards. Senior running back Ahmari Davis had a game-high 80 yards and one touchdown.
New Mexico jumped out to a 7-0 advantage in the first quarter. Nevada responded with a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to lead 14-7 at the half. It was the Pack’s first lead since Utah State on October 19.
The Lobos opened the second half with a 49-yard field goal. Nevada had just nine plays for nine yards in the third quarter, but held a slim 14-10 lead heading into the fourth.
Late in the fourth, Strong connected with Cooks for a 20-yard touchdown to secure the win.
Nevada, 5-4, faces No. 25 ranked San Diego State on Saturday, November 11 at the SDCCU Stadium. The Aztecs are 7-1 overall and 4-1 in conference play.
Notes: New Mexico kicker Andrew Shelley is 6-of-8 on field goals of 40-plus yards this season. … The two teams combined for 13 penalties for 130 yards.
— Isaiah Burrows
