BIG WEST ROUNDUP : San Jose Loses Its Grip, 34-24

Charles Puleri threw two touchdown passes in the fourth quarter to rally New Mexico State to a 34-24 victory over San Jose State on Saturday at San Jose, giving the Aggies their first winning record in 14 years and denying the Spartans the Big West Conference championship and a berth in the Las Vegas Bowl.

Puleri, who passed for 425 yards while completing 23 of 38 passes, threw a fourth-down, four-yard touchdown pass to Atlas Reagor for the clinching touchdown with 3:23 to play. The touchdown was set up by Donald Stowers’ 40-yard interception return.

Earlier in the quarter, Puleri gave the Aggies a 27-24 lead with an 18-yard pass to Brian Pizula. New Mexico State is 6-5 overall and 3-3 in the Big West.

A victory would have given San Jose (7-4, 4-2) a share of the conference title with Nevada, the Spartans going to the bowl by virtue of a 39-35 victory over the Wolf Pack two weeks ago.

Nevada has only five victories over Division I-A opponents, one less than the minimum for a bowl under NCAA rules. The Big West is appealing.

Utah State 38, Pacific 35--Sean Jones kicked a 40-yard field goal with 18 seconds remaining to lift the Aggies to a Big West victory over the Tigers at Stockton.

Anthony Calvillo hit Mike Lee on a 31-yard touchdown to give Utah (5-6, 4-2) a 35-28 lead, but Ryan Benjamin of Pacific (3-8, 2-4), who rushed for 239 yards, tied the score on a three-yard run.

Pacific’s Aaron Turner caught 10 passes for 118 yards and ended his career as the NCAA’s all-time leader in receptions (265), yards (4,342) and touchdowns (43).

Nevada Las Vegas 36, Montana State 7--Henry Bailey scored touchdowns on a 58-yard pass reception and an 82-yard kickoff return, and set up another touchdown with a long punt return to spark the Rebels (5-5) to a victory at Las Vegas.

Montana State is 4-7.

Nevada 38, Texas Southern 14--Fred Gatlin passed for three touchdowns to lead the Wolf Pack (7-4) past the Cowboys (5-6) in a nonconference game at Reno.