By Woodrow Carroll –
Tuscon, Ariz.
When a football game ends up with 16 punts and five interceptions, it should be low-scoring. Such was the case in Saturday’s Arizona Bowl when Nevada edged Arkansas State, 16-13, in overtime. For 58 minutes the two sides generated little offense. The final two minutes of regulation and overtime, however, was another story.
With just more than a minute left in regulation Arkansas State led 7-3. A Nevada touchdown capped off a 74-yard drive sending the Wolf Pack in front, 10-7. An Arkansas State field goal tied the score.
Arkansas State’s field goal provided for a lead of 13-10. Nevada’s Reagan Roberson hauled in an 11-yard pass from Ty Gangi to give the Nevada a 16-13 victory.
The Arizona Bowl is in its fourth year. The first two editions saw Illinois high school products selected as offensive most valuable players.
One of the reasons for the strong defense by Arkansas State was lineman Kevin Thurmon.
Thurmon, a Chicago Mt. Carmel High School graduate, was part of a defense that limited Nevada to 85 yards rushing.
“Not my best game nor my worst,” said Thurmon who ended with two solo tackles.
Nevada’s overtime victory marked the second consecutive Arizona Bowl to go into overtime. Last season New Mexico State beat Utah State, 26-20. The NCAA instituted overtime for bowl games in 1995.
• Northwestern defeated Utah, 31-20, in the Holiday Bowl in San Diego Monday.