The Nevada Wolf Pack beat the California Golden bears, 31-24, upsetting the favorites on a touchdown drive in the closing minutes of the game and forcing a fumble with less than 30 seconds remaining to seal the victory.
California Vs. Nevada Final Score: Wolf Pack Upset Cal With Late TD Drive
It was Nevada who got on the board first, going up 14-0 in the first quarter on a 2-yard rushing touchdown by Stefphon Jefferson and another on a 49-yard run by quarterback Cody Fajardo. The Golden Bears struck back late in the second quarter when Zach Maynard connected with Bryce Treggs for a 37-yard touchdown. That left Nevada ahead 14-7 going in to the locker room.
Nevada added to their lead in the third quarter on another rush touchdown by Jefferson, but Cal climbed back into things with a Keenan Allen 39-yard run touchdown and a field goal by Vincenzo D'Amato. That left things at 21-17 entering the fourth, when Nevada added a field goal of their own, but Maynard added another touchdown for Cal with a 13-yard pass play with Chris Harper.
The score was tied 24-24 when Nevada got the ball with 3:24 left in the game, and the Golden Bears defense was unable to stop Nevada from moving down the field. They were just outside the red zone when Fajardo connected with Brandon Wimberly on a 19-yard strike and Jefferson picked up his third rushing touchdown of the game, punching it over the goal line. Cal got the ball back with :27 remaining, but the final drive came to an abrupt end when Chris Harper fumbled the ball and Nevada recovered.
Box Score Hero: Cody Fajardo ended the day 25-for-32 for 230 yards, while Stefphon Jefferson was the big producer on Nevada's offense, picking up 140 yards on 35 carries with three touchdowns.
Rankings Ramifications: Neither team was ranked, and the game is unlikely to change that.
But Did They Cover? Nevada entered the game 12-point underdogs, so with the victory they more than cover. The combined score was just under the over/under line of 57.
For More On This Game: For more on Golden Bears football, visit Cal blog California Golden Blogs, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and SB Nation Bay Area. For more on Nevada football, visit MWC blog Mountain West Connection.
Next Week's Schedule: Nevada next faces the South Florida Bulls, scheduled for Saturday Sept. 8 at 3:35 p.m. ET, while Cal faces the Southern Utah Thunderbirds, scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. ET.
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