UNR fires Wilson as coach following two two-win seasons in Reno return
UNR coach Ken Wilson was fired after guiding the Wolf Pack to two wins in each of his two seasons after returning to Reno. The 59-yearold went 4-20, with UNR averaging 18.8 points per game in 2022 and
17.3 this year while yielding more than 30 per game in both seasons. Wilson was either on UNR’S coaching staff or part of its administration from 1989 to 2012. He then was an assistant at Washington State and Oregon before returning to Reno.
■ Conference USA: At Lynchburg, Va., Kaidon Salter threw for 319 yards and two TDS and ran for 165 yards and a score as No. 20 Liberty beat New Mexico State 49-35 in the league title game. The Flames (13-0) ran for 393 yards. Diego Pavia threw for three TDS and ran for a score for the Aggies (10-4).
■ Fresno State: Coach Jeff Tedford is stepping away from the program for a second time because of health concerns. The 62-year-old, who missed the 2020 and ’21 seasons while dealing with heart-related issues, is 44-22 in five years with the Bulldogs.
■ SEC: The Southeastern Conference title game will remain at Atlanta’s Mercedes-benz Stadium through at least 2031 under a new deal with undisclosed terms. The previous deal was to expire after 2026. Atlanta has hosted the game since 1994.
■ Washington State: Quarterback Cameron Ward entered the NCAA transfer portal after throwing for 6,968 yards and 48 TDS in two seasons. He spent 2021 at Incarnate Word, an FCS program, where he threw for 4,648 yards and 47 TDS.
■ Florida: Quarterback Graham Mertz said he will return to the Gators for his final year of eligibility. He completed 72.9 percent of his passes this season, with 20 TDS and three interceptions.