RENO, Nev. — Nevada quarterback Jeff Rowe completed 24 of 45 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns and ran for two more scores to lead the Wolf Pack to a 37-27 win over Louisiana Tech yesterday to take sole possession of first place in the Western Athletic Conference.

Nevada running back B.J. Mitchell rushed for 146 yards on 26 carries, as the Wolf Pack racked up 458 yards of total offense while holding the Bulldogs to 229, including just 68 yards on the ground.

Despite the offensive disparity, Nevada (4-2, 3-0 WAC) needed a 78-yard drive to lead to a 21-yard field goal by Brett Jaekle, giving Nevada the lead for good, 30-27 with 3:12 to play. Rowe capped the scoring with a 4-yard run with 51 seconds remaining.

Nevada started quickly, taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Rowe hit Nichirin Flowers for a 7-yard score with 10:20 left in the first and found Tommy Haug for a 3-yard score with 4:00 left in the quarter.

But Louisiana Tech (2-3, 2-1) got some help in the second with Rowe's fumble that was recovered by Eddie White in the end zone and Mitchell's fumble on the Nevada 1 that led to Freddie Franklin's 1-yard touchdown run with 2:32 before halftime.

Rowe erased the Bulldogs' 21-14 halftime lead with a 31-yard run with 9:12 left in the third quarter.

The Bulldogs took a 27-24 lead again early in the fourth on Patrick Jackson's 3-yard score with 13:55 left but had the extra point blocked. Nevada tied the game with 9:39 left on Jaekle's 30-yard field goal.

Nevada will host the University of Hawai'i on Nov. 5 at Mackay Stadium. Louisiana Tech beat Hawai'i, 46-14, last Saturday in Ruston, La.

BOISE STATE 38, SAN JOSE STATE 21

BOISE, Idaho — Jared Zabransky ran for two touchdowns and threw for another as the Broncos (4-2, 2-0 WAC) held off a late rally by the Spartans (1-5, 0-3) in Bronco Stadium, extending the nation's longest current home winning streak to 28 games.

The junior quarterback also engineered a nine-play, 84-yard drive with 6:46 left to put Boise State up for good after the Spartans scored 14 unanswered points to open the fourth quarter.

The Broncos beat the University of Hawai'i, 44-41, on Oct. 1. The Spartans will host Hawai'i on Saturday at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, Calif.

FRESNO STATE 53, UTAH STATE 21

FRESNO, Calif. — Joe Fernandez caught two touchdown passes from Paul Pinegar, and the Bulldogs (4-1, 2-0 WAC) erased an early deficit with 46 consecutive points to defeat the Aggies (2-3, 1-2).

The Bulldogs also took advantage of four Aggies turnovers, scoring 19 points off miscues while controlling the clock and limiting Utah State to 44 yards rushing.

Fresno State plays at the University of Hawai'i on Oct. 29. Utah State will play Hawai'i on Nov. 12.

NO. 23 WISCONSIN 38, NO. 22 MINNESOTA 34

MINNEAPOLIS — Jonathan Casillas blocked a punt and Ben Strickland recovered it in the end zone with 30 seconds left as the visiting Badgers (6-1, 3-1 Big Ten), trailing 27-17 entering the fourth quarter, rallied to beat the Gophers (5-2, 2-2) in Minnesota.

With the Gophers leading 34-31, Justin Kucek lined up to punt at the Minnesota 5. Kucek dropped the snap, picked up the ball and tried to get the punt off, but Casillas raced through for the block. Strickland then recovered it for the winning score.

The Badgers play the University of Hawai'i on Nov. 25 at Aloha Stadium.

SAN DIEGO STATE 28, UTAH 19

SALT LAKE CITY — Kevin O'Connell completed 17 of 23 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns, and Jeff Webb had nine catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns, leading the visiting Aztecs (3-4, 2-2 Mountain West) over the Utes (3-4, 1-3) for their first road victory of the season.

San Diego State extended Utah's losing streak to three straight and ended a 10-game home winning streak for the Utes.

The Aztecs play the University of Hawai'i on Dec. 3 at Aloha Stadium.