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Tigers lead early but succumb to Lamar in 'Silver Tiger' rivalry game, 44-28
A promising start gave way to heartbreak for the Nevada Tigers in Friday night's tradition-rich Silver Tiger game at Lamar.
Leading 14-0 early, Nevada was unable to match Lamar's team-speed for the full four quarters, falling by a margin of 44-28.
The storied rivalry dates back to Thanksgiving Day 1933, with Friday's clash marking the 63rd meeting. Despite Nevada having entered the game with a 37-23-2 all-time record against Lamar, they haven't captured the elusive Silver Tiger trophy since 2004.
Since rejoining the Big 8 Conference in 2018, resulting in the renewal of the rivalry, Nevada had dropped its matchups with Lamar the past two seasons by a combined score of 85-6.
Nevada, however, turned the tables on Lamar early, taking the opening drive in for a score. The methodical drive chewed up over half of the first quarter clock, and was punctuated by sophomore tailback Case Sanderson's two-yard TD plunge.
Sanderson also punched in the two-point play, going over the right tackle for an 8-0 Nevada advantage.
After holding Lamar to a three-and-out on their opening-series, Nevada scored on the first play of its ensuing possession, via junior running back Eli Cheaney's 74-yard dash down the left sideline. After a misfire on the two-point play Nevada led, 14-0.
An early turning point in the game came on Lamar's next possession. Backed up deep in their own territory, quarterback Case Tucker erased a third-and-long with a 34-yard pickup.
Tucker then connected on the next play with Mason Gastel for a 40 yard strike. Two plays later Tucker linked up with Austin Wilkerson in the end zone from six yards out. A failed two-point play left Lamar trailing 14-6 early in the second quarter.
Quickly back in possession Lamar converted a fourth-and-1 on its own 28-yard line.
They then marched downfield, as lightning-quick sophomore tailback Joel Beshore finished off the drive by bouncing to the outside, and going untouched into the end zone for an 18-yard TD run. Beshore also rushed for the two-point play, knotting the contest at 14-apiece.
While Cheaney has made a strong case for being Nevada's top offensive weapon this season, the Tigers lost star running backs Kaden Denney and Case Sanderson to injury in the early-going.
Situated fourth on the running back depth chart, senior Trey Moore broke off a 67-yard touchdown run with 3:20 remaining in the half. Running some trickeration on the two-point play, Cheaney connected with Kartman Highley for a 22-14 Nevada advantage.
Lamar needed just over a minute of game-clock for its next score, capped off by Beshore's 27-yard reverse-sweep into the end zone. Tucker then tacked on the two-point play, plowing in on the QB keeper.
The late second quarter scoring drive evened the score 22-22 at the half.
Nevada regained the lead, courtesy of Eli Cheaney's 18-yard TD run up the middle on a fourth-and-3. The Tigers, however, failed to convert the two-point attempt, and led 28-22 with 2:38 to play in the third.
With Lamar back in possession and facing a critical fourth-and-1, Tucker rammed forward for what appeared to be a short first-down pickup.
Tucker, however, busted loose from a log-jam of players, bolting 58 yards to paydirt. Wilkerson then sent a booming kick through the uprights, and Lamar had its first lead of the contest, 29-28, with less then a minute remaining in the third.
Lamar increased its advantage early in the fourth, as Logan Crockett's six-yard touchdown run put them in front, 35-28. Lamar then lined up for the extra point, but a penalty on Nevada proved costly. With the ball now sitting just outside the 1-yard line, first-year Lamar head coach Jared Beshore elected to go for two.
The decision proved wise, as Lamar parlayed the penalty into a successful two-point play, and a two possession lead, at 37-28.
Lamar then sealed the victory as Joel Beshore, also the backup signal caller, swept left and turned on the afterburners for the 17-yard TD run, his third rushing score of the game. Wilkerson's extra point accounted for the final 16-point margin.
The Big 8 Conference West division loss moves Nevada to 2-2 overall, and 0-2 in Big 8 West-play. The victory ups Lamar to 3-1, and 1-1 in Big 8 West play.
For Nevada, Cheaney racked up 148 yards on 14 carries, to go along with a pair or rushing scores. Moore, meanwhile, toted the rock 8 times for 90 yards, and a TD. Sanderson also neared the century mark rushing.