Nevada 31, California 24: Stefphon Jefferson ran for 141 yards and three touchdowns – including the go-ahead score with 36 seconds left – and Nevada upset host California.

Quarterback Cody Fajardo racked up 331 all-purpose yards and added a touchdown run for the Wolfpack (1-0). 

Nevada, which entered as a 12-point underdog, took advantage of California quarterback Zach Maynard’s brief absence and spoiled the Bears’ return to Memorial Stadium.

Maynard, who was benched for nearly a quarter for missing a tutoring appointment, helped California (0-1) rally from a 14-point third-quarter deficit. His 13-yard touchdown pass to Chris Harper tied it at 24 with 7:24 to play, but Jefferson’s 2-yard score capped a nine-play, 61-yard drive that gave the Wolfpack the lead for good.

It was just the second win over California in 25 tries for Nevada, which has visions of winning the Mountain West Conference in its inaugural season.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Bears trailed 21-7 late in the third before the momentum started to shift. Keenan Allen scored from 39 yards out on a reverse, then Kameron Jackson recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, leading to a 40-yard field goal from Vincenzo D’Amato. … California played its first game at Memorial Stadium in more than a year. The Bears played in San Francisco last season while renovations totaling $321 million were completed.