When the week was over, it was largely a successful week for the Mountain West, as the conference finished 10-2 overall, and collected two wins over the PAC-12. There were also a couple of severe lows as well, even though one of those turned out to be a win, but all in all, this was a good week.
MOUNTAIN WEST
PASS: Fresno State, San Jose State, Hawaii, Boise State, Air Force, Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State
Fresno State and San Jose State rolled to relatively easy wins over FCS members Abilene Christian and power house New Hampshire. Both teams needed easy wins to start this season after largely struggling year ago across the board.
Hawaii jumped up on the Buffaloes of Colorado early on 15-7 on Marcus Kemp's 76 yard TD reception, and then never looked back as the worst of the MWC beat the worst of the PAC-12 at home. Maybe Hawaii is improving...
It wasn't fun to look at , but Boise State beat former coach Chris Petersen and his Washington Huskies 16-13 in Boise. Jeremy McNichols paced the Broncos with 2 rushing TDs to seal the win.
Air Force jumped to a 28-7 lead at the half against the FCS Bears of Morgan State, and then outscored the members of the MEAC 35-0 in the 2nd half to cruise to a 63-7 win at home.
Colorado State rammed possibly the worst team in America claiming D1 status, Savannah State, 65-13. The Rams cruised to a 45-7 lead at the half in Mike Bobo's first game as head coach.
Bob Davie needed a hot start at New Mexico for 2015, and he got it as his Lobos busted out to a 38-0 lead at the half against Mississippi Valley State. The Delta Devils never got on the board, losing 66-0.
For the first time ever, San Diego State played San Diego at home, and the Aztecs made relatively easy work out of the Toreros, jumping up 20-0, before slamming the door in the 2nd half to win 37-3.
USD was a late schedule addition after a cancellation opened a spot on the Aztec schedule.
FAIL: Utah State, Nevada, Wyoming, UNLV
Wyoming clearly had the worst of the two losses in the conference this weekend, as they fell at home to what has largely been a horrible North Dakota club out of the Big Sky, 24-13. John Santiago carried the day for UND, rushing for 148 yards and two scores, and the Fighting Sioux jumped out to a 21-0 lead. The Cowboys never scored until the 4th quarter, when the game was already in doubt.
UNLV maybe deserved a pass this weekend, and I almost feel like stamping them with an incomplete grade instead of a fail, but the Rebels, in Tony Sanchez's first game, led NIU in this game, and then failed to hold on late. IF the Rebels are to find success, they will have to learn to put games like this one away when they can.
Utah State did indeed beat Southern Utah 12-9, but this game had to scare the faithful in Logan, as USU trailed for a chunk of this game, and needed a late punt return for a TD to put the Thunderbirds away at home. The offense was lifeless all night, which is a huge sign of concern moving forward.
Nevada also beat an FCS club, but really receive a failing grade for taking a 31-3 lead heading into the 4th quarter, and then took their foot off the pedal, allowing two 4th quarter UC Davis scores to close the gap. The Pack won 31-17, but really should have controlled the end of this game a little bit better.
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