ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico — Arizona quarterback Matt Scott threw two touchdown passes in the final 46 seconds as the Wildcats beat Nevada 49-48 in the New Mexico Bowl to kick off the college playoffs season with a thriller. The teams combined for 1,237 total yards, the second most of any bowl game. Overcoming a slow start and three big turnovers, Arizona (8-5) recovered an onside kick in the last minute, setting up Scott's 2-yard toss to Tyler Slavin with 19 seconds left. Arizona had trailed 21-0 in the first quarter and was down 45-28 entering the final period. Scott threw for 382 yards and marched his team back into the game despite two earlier interceptions. The nation's rushing leader, Ka'Deem Carey, gained 172 yards for the Wildcats but fell just short of becoming only the 16th running back in collegiate history to reach 2,000 yards in a season. Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo threw for three touchdowns and ran for another score to lead the Wolf Pack (7-6). He had 256 yards passing and 140 yards rushing and controlled most of the game, completing 22 of 32 throws. Stefphon Jefferson, the nation's second-leading rusher, ran for 180 yards for Nevada and also seemed unstoppable as the Wolf Pack took a big lead and held on to it for most of the game. But after forcing Nevada to kick a field goal with 1:48 left that made it 48-35, Scott drove the Wildcats 75 yards. Arizona then recovered an onside kick and Scott moved Arizona into the end zone after three plays and 51 yards. Meanwhile, in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Utah State beat Toledo 41-15 to win its first bowl game in nearly 20 years. Kerwynn Williams ran for 235 yards and three touchdowns. The victory capped the best season in Utah State history. The Aggies finished 11-2, won the Western Athletic Conference title outright and had their first bowl victory since 1993. Chuckie Keeton scored on a 62-yard run to put Utah State up 7-3, and Williams sparked a 28-point fourth quarter for Utah State when he broke through the Toledo defense and raced 63 yards for a touchdown to put the Aggies up 20-9. Williams, who had 18 carries, followed that with TD runs of 5 and 25 yards. Keeton ran for 92 yards and was 21-of-31 passing for 229 yards. Toledo was able to move the ball on offense and made five trips inside the red zone. But penalties and miscues forced the Rockets to settle for Jeremiah Detmer's three field goals. — AP
