This Nevada Victory Is One for the Books

Northwestern Coach Pat Fitzgerald expects Nevada quarterback Jeff Rowe to end up in the NFL, but it was the Wolf Pack defense that came up big, forcing five turnovers and blocking a field goal en route to its first victory over a Big Ten school.

Nevada cornerback Joe Garcia returned his second interception of the game 24 yards for a touchdown with 2:14 left Friday night to help hold off the visiting Wildcats, 31-21.

Rowe completed 17 of 22 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns and tailback Robert Hubbard ran for a career-best 156 yards and two touchdowns for the Wolf Pack (2-2), the defending co-champion of the Western Athletic Conference that is 12-2 at home since Chris Ault took over as head coach in 2004.

Freshman quarterback Mike Kafka rushed for 111 yards in 12 carries but completed only nine of 21 passes for 122 yards and threw three interceptions for Northwestern (2-2).

It marked the first time a Big Ten school had ever played at Nevada, which intercepted three passes and forced two fumbles. The only other time the Wolf Pack faced a Big Ten team was a 35-17 loss at Wisconsin in 1993.

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Prosecutors in Greeley, Colo., said they need more information before deciding whether to file charges against a Northern Colorado player accused of stabbing a teammate in a rivalry over the starting punter position.

District attorney’s spokeswoman Jennifer Finch said the investigation is continuing but declined to say whether Mitch Cozad, the team’s backup punter, was still a suspect or when a decision on charges might be made.

“Now we have the time that we need to conduct a thorough investigation,” she said.

Cozad was accused of stabbing starting punter Rafael Mendoza in the kicking leg on Sept. 12. Mendoza was treated for a deep puncture wound in his right thigh and released. He sat out one game and the team has not said when he might return.