Mountain West play is officially heating up.
Week 5 featured five games, including the first conference matchups of the season for New Mexico and San José State, a statement victory for UNLV over ACC opponent California and another dominant performance from North Dakota State.
The biggest result may have come in Albuquerque, where New Mexico absolutely dismantled UTEP 61-7. Meanwhile, San José State went into Honolulu and escaped with a 20-16 victory over Hawai'i, and UNLV rallied past Cal 39-31 behind another spectacular performance from Jackson Arnold.
There was no shortage of candidates this week.
Here are the Mountain West Players of the Week for Week 5.
Jackson Arnold put together one of the best all-around performances of the Mountain West season Saturday, leading UNLV to a 39-31 victory over ACC opponent California.
The Oklahoma transfer accounted for five total touchdowns, throwing three touchdown passes while rushing for two more. He also ran for 110 yards, including a 55-yard touchdown run. He threw for 172 yards.
Arnold's performance became even more impressive because of how the game unfolded.
UNLV trailed 25-24 early in the fourth quarter before Arnold helped the Rebels respond with two touchdowns and regain control. His ability to make plays with both his arm and legs proved to be the difference as UNLV pulled away late.
The Rebels improved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in Mountain West play, giving the program one of its biggest wins of the season against an ACC opponent.
Honorable Mentions:
Toa Fa'avae, QB, New Mexico:15-of-19 passing for 249 yards and three touchdowns in New Mexico's 61-7 demolition of UTEP.
Luke Weaver, QB, San José State:19-of-28 passing for 246 yards and two touchdowns in SJSU's 20-16 road win over Hawai'i.
Nathan Hayes, QB, North Dakota State:187 passing yards and 79 rushing yards, including two rushing touchdowns, in NDSU's 28-0 shutout of Wyoming.
New Mexico's defense has been one of the biggest surprises in the country this season.
Against UTEP, the Lobos were absolutely relentless, and Austin Brawley was at the center of it.
Brawley intercepted UTEP quarterback E.J. Colson and returned it 65 yards for a touchdown, giving New Mexico a 28-0 lead early in the second half.
That wasn't his only impact play. Brawley also blocked a punt, which resulted in a safety, giving New Mexico points in all three phases of the game.
The Lobos finished the afternoon with three interceptions, two fumble recoveries and a blocked punt, turning five UTEP turnovers into 31 points.
Brawley's pick-six was his fifth career interception and his first career interception return for a touchdown.
New Mexico's defense also recorded 10 tackles for loss and has now held opponents to 20 points or fewer in nine consecutive games. Through five games, they're starting to look like one of the most complete teams in the Mountain West.
Honorable Mentions:
Donovan Woolen, LB, North Dakota State:Nine tackles, a sack and an interception on the first play from scrimmage in NDSU's 28-0 shutout of Wyoming.
Jeremiah Tuiileila, DL, San José State:Two sacks and a forced fumble in the Spartans' win over Hawai'i.
Dylan Lee, LB, San José State:Nine tackles as the Spartans held off Hawai'i's fourth-quarter comeback attempt.
There were a few legitimate candidates for this award, but Trajan Sinatra gets the nod for coming through when San José State needed him most.
The Spartans entered the fourth quarter leading Hawai'i 17-13 before the Rainbow Warriors pulled within one point on a 44-yard field goal.
With the game hanging in the balance, SJSU put together a 12-play, 26-yard drive that consumed 5:31.
Sinatra finished it. He drilled a 30-yard field goal with 1:15 remaining, putting San José State ahead 20-16.
Hawai'i got one final opportunity, but the Spartans' defense held on a fourth-down Hail Mary attempt to secure the victory.
Earlier in the game, Sinatra had connected from 24 yards, giving him two field goals on the night.
It wasn't the biggest statistical kicking performance of the season, but in a four-point road victory, that's what matters.
Week 5 showed that the Mountain West may have a fascinating race developing at the top.
New Mexico looks increasingly dangerous. The Lobos are now 4-1 and 1-0 in conference play after destroying UTEP 61-7. Their defense has been forcing turnovers at an absurd rate, while Fa'avae has quickly developed into one of the conference's most intriguing young quarterbacks. New Mexico has now recorded 12 interceptions through five games and is plus-18 in turnover margin.
UNLV also continues to make its case. The Rebels knocked off Cal 39-31 behind five total touchdowns from Arnold and moved to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in conference play.
San José State quietly picked up one of the more important wins of the weekend. The Spartans went into Honolulu and beat Hawai'i 20-16, improving to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in Mountain West play. Weaver, Clark and the SJSU defense all came through when it mattered.
And then there is North Dakota State. The Bison haven't slowed down.
NDSU shut out Wyoming 28-0, improved to 5-0 and has now won its first five games as an FBS program. The Bison defense has now posted back-to-back home shutouts.
That sets up a massive Week 6 matchup.
North Dakota State vs. UNLV.
An undefeated Bison team against a Rebels team that just knocked off an ACC opponent. At this point, the Mountain West race is officially getting interesting.
