This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
If San Jose State falls one victory short of bowl-eligibility, coach Ron Caragher insists he won't second-guess himself about going for two points in the final moments of last week's 17-16 loss to BYU.
The Spartans are 4-5 with three games remaining, including Saturday's visit to Nevada. After playing Hawaii next week, they finish at Boise State on Nov. 27.
San Jose will be heavily favored to beat the Rainbow Warriors. They will be big underdogs against the Broncos. So the Nevada game will probably hold the key to their bowl hopes.
The situation wouldn't be as dire if San Jose State has made the late two-point conversion against BYU.
On the play, running back Tyler Ervin took a handoff from quarterback Kenny Potter. Ervin suddenly pulled up and tried hitting tight end Billy Freeman with a pass, but it fell incomplete.
"We put the ball in the hands of the most talented player on the field," Caragher said. "With him being such a key focused player, we thought the pass would be there. …
"We were inches away from completing the play. It wasn't something we pulled out of thin air on Friday night. It was a really good two-minute play."
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Around the Mountain
• Hawaii receiver Quinton Pedroza will undergo surgery to repair ligament and meniscus tears in his right knee. He'll be sidelined at least four weeks, meaning his career is over. Pedroza played at the University of Utah for two years before being charged with underage drinking. He transferred to Hawaii in 2013, redshirted for a season and led the Warriors in receptions in 2014. This season, Pedroza injured his left knee in the opening game — a 28-20 win over Colorado. By overcompensating, he injured his right knee. In his two seasons at Hawaii, Pedroza caught 82 passes for 968 yards and four touchdowns.
• Thanks to its 14-13 victory over Utah State last week, New Mexico needs only one win to become bowl-eligible for the first time since 2007. The bad news? The Lobos will be an underdog when they play Boise State, Colorado State and Air Force, starting Saturday against the Broncos. New Mexico is 0-3 on the blue turf and has been outscored, 110-26. After holding off Utah State, however, the Lobos believe in themselves. "It builds our confidence … going up to Boise," said linebacker Dakota Cox. "I think we made a statement - definitely."
• Wyoming keeps losing and, in its last three games, things have quickly gotten out of hand. Boise State scored on its first four offensive possessions and led at halftime, 24-7. Utah State scored on its first six possessions and built a 30-14 lead at the half. Colorado State scored on its first four possessions and grabbed a 23-0 halftime lead. "You have to come out with your stinger up and ready to go," said Cowboys defensive coordinator Steve Stanard. "That's easier said than done when you have a bunch of young players and you're 1-9 instead of 9-1. What we're encouraged [by] is they're still busting their humps in practice."
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Tribune Power Rankings
Mountain west Conference
1. Boise State (7-2)
In control of division race
2. San Diego State (6-3)
Four consecutive victories
3. Air Force (6-3)
Eighth bowl in nine years
4. New Mexico (5-4)
Thirty-point 'dog at Boise
5. Utah State (5-4)
Now just 1-4 on the road
6. Nevada (5-4)
Last two: Aggies, Aztecs
7. San Jose State (4-5)
Last win in Reno: 2000
8. Colorado State (4-5)
Offense is still struggling
9. UNLV (3-6)
Three wins = a milestone
10. Fresno State (2-7)
The most disappointing?
11. Hawaii (2-8)
Coaching search continues
12. Wyoming (1-9)
QB Coffman healthy again