Boxscore - HTM | PDF

Reno, NV - Portland State started strong but the Wolfpack soon responded as Nevada came away with 72-19 win in the season opener for both teams at Wolfpack Stadium.

Nevada trailed in the first quarter, but led by halftime, and exploded with 28 points in the third quarter to put the game away.

Wolfpack quarterback Ty Gangi had a big game with three touchdown passes and ran for a fourth on the ground. Gangi completed 16 of 26 passes for 342 yards. His main target was McLane Mannix who caught all three scoring passes and had 132 yards on four catches.

Quarterback Davis Alexander had 244 yards of total offense for the Vikings, including 224 passing with a pair of touchdown passes to Charlie Taumoepeau.

Portland State struck first with a 73-yard drive to open the game. Alexander caught a 17-yard pass on the opening trick play, then later hit Taumoepeau on a 48-yard touchdown pass. Taumoepeau's catch came on a third-and-10 play as he broke two tackles on the way to the end zone.

After empty possessions by both teams, the Viking got an excellent punt by Ben Niesner down to the Nevada one-yard line. Two plays later defensive linemen Larry Ross and Semise Kofe stopped Kelton Moore of the Wolfpack for a safety. At that point, the Vikings had a 9-0 lead, but the Wolfpack came back to tie the game by the end of the first quarter. 

Gangi hit Mannix on two first-half touchdowns. Those were sandwiched around another big TD reception by Taumoepeau. He caught a 75-yard scoring pass - the longest of his career - with 4:39 remaining in the second quarter. 

Viking freshman kicker Cody Williams hit a 31-yard field goal at the end of the first half, but PSU trailed 30-19. Two plays proved costly in the half for the Vikings. The first was a pick-six return by Daniel Brown for Nevada. The second was a broken play on a fourth-and-one inside the Wolfpack 5 forcing PSU to turn the ball over on downs.

Three quick third quarter scores gave Nevada command for good. Included was another pass from Gangi to Mannix. When Gangi rushed in from five yards late in the quarter, the Wolfpack had four TDs in the quarter and led 58-19.

Portland State started with great promise, converting their first two third downs, their first two fourth downs and making a big defensive play early. But they finished only 3-19 on third downs as they were unable to sustain drives as the game progressed.

Nevada had 636 yards of total offense, including 420 passing. The Vikings rushed for 107 yards and passed for 241 yards for a total of 348. Each team had one turnover. 

Darian Green led the rushing game with 37 yards on 10 carries. Taumoepeau had three receptions for 130 yards and the two scores. 

Linebacker Kasun Jackett made a team-high nine tackles for the Vikings. Cornerback Maxwell Howell had the team's only takeaway with an interception.

GAME NOTES: The game marked the first meeting between the schools in 42 years. Nevada now leads the all-time series, 5-2… nine players made their first career starts for Portland State… the Vikings travel to Oregon next week. Kickoff is 11 a.m. at Autzen Stadium. The game airs on Rip City Radio 620 AM and the Pac-12 Network.