1996 Las Vegas Bowl
The 1996 Las Vegas Bowl was the 5th edition of that annual game. It featured the Ball State Cardinals, and the Nevada Wolf Pack. Ball State was 8-3, after winning 8 straight games following an 0-3 start. They also won the MAC football championship.
Nevada scored first following a 16-yard touchdown pass from quarterback John Dutton to Damond Wilkins, but the extra point attempt failed leaving the score 6-0 Nevada. Damon Shea made up for his missed PAT by kicking a 22-yard field goal making it 9-0 Nevada in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, LeAndre Moore rushed 62 yards for a touchdown for Ball State, to cut the lead to 9-7. Damon Shea's 33-yard field goal attempt with 44 seconds left in the first half made the halftime score 12-7, Nevada. The teams would go scoreless in the third quarter.
In the fourth quarter, Eric Bennett threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Damond Wilkins, but the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt failed, making the score 18-7 Nevada. Brent Baldwin threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Adrian Reese, and the 2-point conversion attempt was successful leaving the score 18-15 Nevada. Nevada ran out the clock on its next possession.
Nevada Linebacker Mike Crawford was named MVP due to his 14 tackles, one forced fumble and INT.[2]