Kaepernick leads Nevada past New Mexico State

Redshirt freshman Colin Kaepernick threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Mike McCoy with a minute remaining, lifting Nevada to a 40-38 victory over New Mexico State on Friday night at Las Cruces, N.M.

The Wolf Pack (5-4, 3-2 Western Athletic Conference) won its third in a row and held on after Brett Jaekle missed the extra point after McCoy’s touchdown.

The Aggies (4-6, 1-4) drove to Nevada’s 27 on their final possession, but Paul Young’s 44-yard field attempt sailed low and wide left.

Kaepernick had a spectacular game, breaking two long touchdown runs in the fourth quarter and throwing for another two scores in his fourth start since replacing the injured Nick Graziano.

Kaepernick was 15 of 28 for 237 yards passing with three touchdowns. He rushed for 136 yards, scoring on runs of 31 and 35 yards.

New Mexico State’s Chase Holbrook threw for 407 yards and four touchdowns to become the school’s career leader in touchdown passes.

Tyler Sheehan threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns to help Bowling Green beat visiting Akron, 44-20.

The Falcons (5-4, 3-2 Mid-American Conference) took a 7-3 lead in the first quarter on Chris Wright’s 33-yard touchdown reception. Bowling Green stretched its lead by scoring 27 unanswered points in the second and third quarters.

Akron (3-6, 1-3) scored on its first two drives but didn’t score again until there was 14:51 left in the game, when Carlton Jackson threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Jabari Arthur.

Kalvin McRae rushed for 151 yards in 28 carries and scored a touchdown to lead Ohio to a 23-7 victory over Temple at Athens, Ohio.

McRae scored a 30-yard run in the second quarter to give the Bobcats (5-5, 3-3 Mid-American Conference) a 10-0 lead. The Owls (3-6, 3-3) came back with 1:22 left in the half when Vaughn Charlton threw a 42-yard touchdown pass to Bruce Francis.

Tennessee has dismissed sophomore tailback LaMarcus Coker for undisclosed reasons. Coach Phillip Fulmer had suspended Coker from one game for a violation of team rules, but said after further investigation he decided to dismiss him. Fulmer said Coker did not do what was asked of him and he wanted a positive environment for the No. 24 Volunteers. He was the No. 2 tailback behind Arian Foster.