Postgame Notes
FINAL: Arizona (3-0) 35, Nevada (2-1) 28
Senior QB Cody Fajardo recorded his seventh career 300-yard passing performance, completing 29-of-39 passes for 321 yards and three touchdowns. He tallied season-high marks in passing yards and touchdowns. Fajardo completed at least six passes to four different receivers; Gipson (8), Turner (7), Henderson (7) and Richardson (6).
In the process, Fajardo surpassed Jeff Rowe (2002-06) for third place on Nevada’s career completions chart with 710 and Chris Vargas (1990-93) for sixth in career passing attempts with (1,044).
Arizona pulls ahead in the series history, 3-1-1.
Nevada held 35:48 time of possession with five drives that went over eight plays and over 70 yards. Prior to this week, Nevada ranked third in the nation in TOP with a season average of 36:42.
Nevada’s opening drive went 19 plays and 70 yards, as Brent Zuzo gave the Pack a 3-0 lead. The drive was Nevada’s longest of the season in terms of plays and time of possession (9:26). The 19-play drive marked the Pack’s longest drive since a 21-play drive against BYU on Sept. 25, 2010. Meanwhile, it was the longest drive Arizona has allowed since Nov. 26, 2010, at Oregon.
Making his first career start, R-FR strong safety Teré Calloway recorded his first career interception, picking off Anu Solomon in the second quarter. Last week, Kendall Johnson also recorded his first career interception.
Sophomore tight end Jarred Gipson recorded his first career TD reception with eight seconds left in the half, and added a second TD reception with 9:11 left in the fourth quarter. In his 11th career start, Gipson recorded a career-high eight receptions for 49 yards.
Arizona pulled ahead 21-6 with 2:08 left in the second quarter before Nevada mounted a valiant comeback. The Wolf Pack scored with eight seconds left until half and tied the game at 21-21 with 6:03 left in the third on a Hasaan Henderson TD reception and Don Jackson 2PT conversion. Arizona used two quick scores to again go ahead by two TDs before Fajardo pulled Nevada within a score at the 6:01 mark in the fourth quarter.
Senior FS Nigel Haikins recorded seven tackles to lead the Nevada defense in tackles.
Nevada was without the services of four regular starters; SR CB Evan Favors did not travel this week due to a death in the family, and was replaced by freshman Kendall Johnson, who made his first career start. R-FR SS Teré Calloway made his first career start for junior Duran Workman, who suffered a knee injury against Washington State. SO DT Salesa Faraimo also made his first career starter, replacing JR Rykeem Yates, who is suspended for violating team rules. R-FR OL Joey Anglemire made his seconds consecutive start, this time for SO Jeremy Macauley, who suffered a knee injury in practice this week.
