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Sunday, November 15, 2026Nov 15

Butler leads Nevada to 28-23 win over CSU in Arizona Bowl

Colorado State quarterback Craig Leonard (8) stiff arms Nevada defensive back Asauni Rufus during the first half of the Arizona Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Colorado State quarterback Craig Leonard (8) stiff arms Nevada defensive back Asauni Rufus during the first half of the Arizona Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) – James Butler scored on a 4-yard run with 1:06 left and Nevada benefited from a late gaffe by Colorado State to beat the Rams 28-23 in the inaugural Arizona Bowl Tuesday night.

Colorado State (7-6) trailed most of the game before taking the lead on Wyatt Bryan’s 38-yard field goal with just under 4 minutes left.

The Wolf Pack (7-6) responded quickly, marching 72 yards in eight plays to set up Butler’s tackle-breaking touchdown run.

Nick Stevens orchestrated a quick-hitting drive in the final minute with no timeouts, but receiver Jordon Vaden was unable to get out of bounds at Nevada’s 12-yard line and time ran out on the Rams.

Stevens ran for 189 yards and Elijah Mitchell scored on a 96-yard kickoff return in the bowl battle between Mountain West Conference teams.