Nevada, Polian close season with 7-6 mark

NEW ORLEANS — Nevada closes the season with a 7-6 record, improving three wins from last season, and advancing to the 14th bowl game in program history.

Nevada falls to 4-10 in bowl games, 1-1 vs. Louisiana and 0-1 in R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl.

FAJARDO JOINS 1,000 CLUB

Senior QB Cody Fajardo became the first player in Mountain West conference history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season in multiple years.

With 49 rushing yards on 13 carriers and 1,046 on the season, Fajardo provided the 30th 1,000-yard rushing season in Wolf Pack history. Fajardo also became the first quarterback in FBS to pass for over 2,000 yards and rush for over 1,000 yards this season, finishing with 2,498 on the ground and 1,046 rushing. Fajardo became the third player in program history to reach 13,000 career yards of total offense, finishing with 13,141, which ranks behind only Nevada great and 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s program record mark of 14,2010 yards.

BROCK HEKKING CLIMBS SACK CHART

After collecting his 22.5 career sack in the R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl, senior DE Brock Hekking improved to fourth all-time in Mountain West history in career sacks … His sack total also ranks fourth in Nevada program history.

WOLF PACK OFFENSE STIFLED BY CAJUN DEFENSE

Louisiana held Nevada to season-low marks in total points (3), total offense (213) and first downs (13) . The Wolf Pack was held without a touchdown for the first time since being shutout at Notre Dame on Sept. 5, 2009. Louisiana set an R+L Carriers New Orleans Bowl record for fewest points allowed. Entering the game ranking second in the nation in fourth-quarter scoring, Nevada was shut out in the fourth quarter for just the second time this season.

Meanwhile, Nevada’s defense played a stout game as well, allowing its fewest total points since 10 against San Jose State.

MISCELLANEOUS

The announced attendance inside the Mercedes-Benz Superdome was 34,014, the fourth highest crowd in the bowl’s 14-year history... Nevada’s three points in the first half matched a season-low (Colorado State) ... Junior LB/SS Bryan Lane Jr. matched a season-high with nine tackles ... Junior DE Lenny Jones came up with Nevada’s biggest play of the game in the second half, tallying a sack, forced fumble and fumble recovery... Junior LB Matthew Lyons also led Nevada with nine stops... Junior RB Don Jackson finished 43 yards short of the 1,000 yard rushing mark.