Tag: Mountain West

Brent Brennan is leaving SJSU for Arizona. What did legacy did he leave behind?

Brent Brennan is leaving SJSU for Arizona. What did legacy did he leave behind?

Brent Brennan is leaving SJSU for Arizona. What did legacy did he leave behind?

SJSU reporter Matt Weiner weighs in on Brent Brennan leaving SJSU.

Follow @Mattweiner20 & @MWCwire

The news Spartan Nation always braced for, but never wanted to face

After seven years at San Jose State, head coach Brent Brennan is heading to Arizona to takeover for newly minted Washington head coach Jedd Fisch, according ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

 

Few can fault any Spartan fan who finds this news difficult to stomach.

Brennan was arguably the most successful only head coach in program history to lead SJSU.

He was the first head coach to make three bowl games which marked the program’s first time reaching three bowl games in the span of four years.

Each of those bowl appearances, however, forced SJSU fans to face the gutting reality they face today.

In 2020, after SJSU celebrated an undefeated regular season and won the Mountain West Championship, Brennan interviewed with Arizona for the head coaching vacancy before it went to Fisch.

And after SJSU went 7-5 in 2022 and made the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl, Brennan interviewed for the vacancy at Stanford.

Then last month, Brennan was a finalist for the vacancy at Oregon State before it went to Beavers’ defensive coordinator Trent Bray.

That last one felt like a particularly close call.

For starters, Brennan was fresh off leading SJSU from the abyss of a 1-5 start to a 7-5 season that included a co-Mountain West Regular Season Title.

Furthermore, Brennan coached wide receivers at OSU from 2011-16. The ties ran so deep he named his dog after OSU’s mascot “Benny” and filled his current staff with former Beavers’ coaches like SJSU offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven, defensive coordinator Derrick Odum and defensive line coach Joe Seumalo.

So now the question is: Who will Brennan take to Tuscon?

Is it McGiven? Odum? Wide receivers coach Eric Scott? Running backs coach Alonzo “Zo” Carter?

After all, Fisch brought his entire offensive staff to Washington.

Better yet, who will take over for Brennan?

And who ever that head coach is will be the latest interwoven in the domino effect of Nick Saban retiring unexpectedly.

Let’s trace how wild this is.

On Jan. 10 Saban retired from Alabama. Then on Jan. 12 Kalen DeBoer leaves Washington to fill in for Saban. Which results in Fisch heading to Washington on Jan. 14. Now, on the lord’s day of Jan. 16, 2024, Brennan is heading to Arizona. A place he was a graduate assistant at under Dick Tomey in 1999.

Some Wildcat fans may see Brennan’s 34-48 overall record at a Group of Five, 0-3 bowl record and feel as is the resurgence is over. So much for winning as many games last year —10 — as it did from 2019-22. And so much for fleeing the formerly known PAC-12 for the BIG-12.

But those people should take a deeper look. Not just at how Brennan went 3-22 in his first two seasons. Rather, the resources he had to work with for what followed.

Brennan went to those three bowl games without an NIL presence, laughably outdated facilities until last August and a meager operating budget.

Those shortcomings are the results of the incompetency of previous administrations who treated deep-pocketed alums like ghostly afterthoughts.

The nadir came in the early to mid-2000s when SJSU academics and brass formed a coalition called ‘Spartans4Sanity’ that —insanely enough — campaigned and petitioned to axe the football team because of the money it was losing the school.

In other words, 34-48 and three bowl appearances, albeit zero wins, is pretty damn good.

U of A fans should at the very least give him a shot. SJSU fans, meanwhile, are left with mixed emotions.

What about SJSU players and recruits? On Sunday, 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy’s younger brother, Chubba, announced he was transferring from Nebraska for SJSU. Does this mean he transfers elsewhere and a mockery is made of those great storylines and press?

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Beyond Purdy, who else will transfer or decommit?

Any starters transferring doesn’t bode well for a team that won’t return its starting quarterback, running back, four offensive lineman and safeties.

Though Brennan never said it outright, SJSU was as a stepping stone to a Power Five. If it wasn’t, he would’t have interviewed after his best seasons.

That’s not an indictment of a poor character. During his time at SJSU, Brennan hired a sports psychologist and got each player the meditation app “Headspace” because he knew the stresses that weigh on the minds of student-athletes.

Rather, Brennan using SJSU as a stepping stone is the indictment of a man with ambition, success and the agency to do what he feels is best for him.

Even if it that stone crumbles into debris and irrelevancy.

‘It’s good for college football;’ Dan Lanning reacts to news that Civil War will continue

Oregon head coach Dan Lanning says he’s happy the rivalry with the Beavers will continue for the foreseeable future.

An Oregon Duck football schedule without the Oregon State Beavers on it would just be too much for most fans, on either side, to handle.

With the move to the Big Ten, the Ducks’ Civil War rivalry with Oregon State was very much in doubt, but thanks to some scheduling changes, the two teams will indeed meet up for the 2024 and 2025 seasons.

The game not occurring as the last regular season game will be strange enough, but it will occur nonetheless, and Oregon head coach Dan Lanning is thrilled the two schools could work something out.

“I think it’s good for college football,” Lanning said. “It’s a rivalry that certainly means something to us here, and I think it means something to them. So it’s good to see games like that still exist.”

While the Ducks will be moving to the Big Ten, the Beavers weren’t so lucky. They’ve had a difficult time, with Washington State, finding a new conference to compete in with the Pac-12 dissolving. Both the Beavers and Cougars have entered into a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West Conference for the 2024 season, but that’s a short-term solution to a long-term problem.

Oregon will travel to Corvallis and play OSU Sept. 14 and the Beavers will come to Eugene sometime during the 2025 season.

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Mountain West discussing adding Oregon State and Washington State for basketball

The Mountain West is in discussions with Oregon State and Washington State to join as a basketball member starting in 2024-25.

The Mountain West recently reached a scheduling agreement with the two remaining Pac-12 schools, Oregon State and Washington State, so it is no surprise the parties are now in discussion to work together in basketball as well.

A source told CBS’ Jon Rothstein the Mountain West and Oregon State and Washington State are in discussions to join the league for the 2024-25 college basketball season, which would provide the two programs with a home following the final year of Pac-12 play in 2023-24.

Details are sparse for right now, with Rothstein indicating there is no timetable for an official announcement. Whether this agreement would extend beyond 2024-25, potentially into full membership, is one of many details unknown at the moment – including if other non-revenue generating sports, like baseball, women’s soccer, softball, and tennis – are being discussed.

The Mountain West is certainly a formidable basketball conference, currently boasting five programs in the top 50 of the NET on the men’s side in Colorado State, New Mexico, San Diego State, Utah State, and Nevada, as well as two on the women’s side in UNLV and Colorado State.

Washington State is No. 27 in the NET on the men’s side and No. 28 on the women’s side, as of this writing, making them an appealing addition for the Mountain West.

Oregon State is No. 35 on the women’s side but the men’s team has really struggled the last few years under coach Wayne Tinkle. They are currently 5-3 on the season and ranked 187th in the NET.

Still, adding two well-known brands who are obvious geographic fits will boost the conference’s on-court product and will have a positive impact financially, and represents a soft landing spot for the two programs who were left out to dry by the 10 other Pac-12 programs in this summer’s conference realignment.

Sooners secure commitment from transfer cornerback Dezjhon Malone

Oklahoma beat out West Virginia, Purdue, and others for San Diego State transfer cornerback Dezjhon Malone.

The Oklahoma Sooners added another defensive back to their roster as former San Diego State Aztecs cornerback Dezjhon Malone announced his commitment to the team on Sunday.

Malone announced he would enter the transfer portal on November 30. He received notable offers from West Virginia, Purdue, and Louisville, but Jay Valai and the appeal of Oklahoma won out. He was a steady contributor for his former school, where he appeared in 25 games with the Aztecs during four seasons.

Malone led the Aztecs with 11 starts at cornerback in the 2023 season and will bring excellent size to the position at 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds.

 

He was an All-Mountain West honorable mention in 2023 after logging 47 tackles, two for loss, one sack, one forced fumble, and one interception with seven passes broken up on the year. According to Pro Football Focus, Malone allowed just one touchdown in over 400 coverage snaps in 2023.

With Oklahoma potentially losing Woodi Washington to the NFL draft, Malone is a capable cornerback who joins a strong group of promising corners. He’ll add competitive depth to a group that includes Gentry Williams, Kani Walker, Jasiah Wagoner, Makari Vickers, Jacobe Johnson, and Kendel Dolby. Depth at cornerback was an issue in 2023. As the Sooners figure out their secondary while heading into their first season in the SEC, having veteran options provides the Sooners some insurance in the defensive backfield if the young guys on the roster aren’t able to seize a role in 2024.

Oklahoma has added two transfers since the season ended and figures to still bring in a few more. Malone joins former Michigan State transfer offensive lineman Spencer Brown as incoming additions via the [autotag]transfer portal[/autotag].

Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Bryant on Twitter @thatmanbryant.

Oregon State, Washington State work toward football schedule plan with Mountain West

The new world emerges for the Beavers and Cougars.

Oregon State and Washington State aren’t yet members of the Mountain West Conference, but they are working with the Mountain West on football scheduling for 2024.

College Sports Wire, picking up a report from Ross Dellenger of Yahoo! Sports, has more on what the Beavers and Cougars are trying to do in football for next year.

Via Dellenger:

“The alliance is built around what’s termed a ‘7+1’ format where Mountain West teams play seven conference games — not eight — plus one game against either Washington State or Oregon State. There is an option to extend the deal to the 2025 season as well.

“The two Pac-12 members will not be eligible for the MWC championship and will compete as quasi-independents under the Pac-12 banner. Those Mountain West schools with previously scheduled non-conference games against one of the two schools will play the other as well during the same season.”

It will be fascinating to see how all of this works and comes together in 2024. There are a lot of other moving parts to this arrangement, and it remains to be seen what the full picture will look like.

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UNLV Football: How the Rebels Can Beat Fresno State, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

The UNLV Rebels have their real test this Saturday night against the Fresno State Bulldogs on the road. These programs have played each other as part of three different conferences (Big West, WAC, and now MW), and Fresno State leads the overall series 18-7.

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Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023

Time: 7:30 PM PT

TV: Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo

City: Fresno, California

Venue: Bulldog Stadium at Jim Sweeney Field

Odds: Fresno State -9

The UNLV Rebels have their real test this Saturday night against the Fresno State Bulldogs on the road. These programs have played each other as part of three different conferences (Big West, WAC, and now MW), and Fresno State leads the overall series 18-7. This marks the first time these teams will play on a Saturday in three years, as the last two meetings occurred on a Friday night.

UNLV, who is receiving votes in both major polls for the first time since 2003, is bowl-eligible for the first time since playing in the Heart of Dallas Bowl after the 2013 season.

Rushing Attack

For the Rebels to win this game, they must lean on their rushing attack. UNLV averages 209 yards per game. The Rebels have three running backs with over 300 yards rushing on the season. Vincent Davis Jr. leads the team with 388 yards, Donavyn Lester adds 325 yards, and Jai” Den Thomas has 319.

The Rebels rushing attack is critical because it keeps them in third and manageable; now, UNLV converts 53% of their third down conversions. The Bulldogs do a decent job stopping the run, giving up 114 yards per game; that’s good for second in the Mountain West.

Slow Down Bulldogs

On Defense, the Rebels must slow down the Fresno State offense; they averaged 34 points per game. They pass the ball well with Mikey Keene, who has passed for 1,692 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Bulldogs can also run the ball with Malik Sherrod and Elijah Gilliam. 

The Rebels must focus on stopping the run and putting pressure on Keene to make him uncomfortable.

Turnovers

The turnover battle will be key on Saturday night. Who wins the turnover battle will likely win. Rebels quarterback Jayden Maiava must refrain from turning the ball over. With the Bulldogs focusing on stopping the run, there will be plays to be made down the field; that’s when Ricky White should come into play.

Prediction

Bulldogs winning a classic game in the final seconds, 28-27.

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UNLV Rebels beat Colorado State 25-23

The UNLV Rebels beat the Colorado State Rams 25-23 behind a 28-yard field goal by Jose Pizano. Pizano kicked six field goals in the game for UNLV.

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The UNLV Rebels beat the Colorado State Rams 25-23 behind a 28-yard field goal by Jose Pizano. Pizano kicked six field goals in the game for UNLV.

The Rams did a good job slowing the UNLV running game early; it got on track a little later. Vincent Davis Jr. had 61 yards rushing, and Donavyn Lester added 60 yards. The Rebels rushed for 138 yards as a team but only averaged three yards per carry.

Quarterback Jayden Maiava had a solid day passing; he passed for 353 yards and completed 27-of-36 passes. However, Maiava did not throw a touchdown pass and didn’t throw an interception either.

Jacob De Jesus and Ricky White both had nine catches. De Jesus had 120 yards receiving.

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On defense, the Rebels did a great job holding the Rams passing attack in check. Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi only passed for 235 yards, Colorado State averaged 350 yards per game.

However, the Rebels gave up 137 yards rushing to the Rams. Vann Schield led the Rams with 90 yards rushing.
Jackson Woodard led UNLV in tackles with 14, followed by Johnathan Baldwin’s ten tackles. Jaxen Turner had one interception for the Rebels.

This was a good comeback win for the Rebels and sets the stage for a showdown with the Fresno State Bulldogs on Saturday night.

 

 

Fresno State vs. Wyoming Cowboys: How the Cowboys will win

The No. 24 Bulldogs travel to Laramie for a nationally televised showdown against the Cowboys with colossal Mountain West implications.

Fresno State vs. Wyoming Cowboys: How the Cowboys will win

The No. 24 Bulldogs travel to Laramie for a nationally televised showdown against the Cowboys with colossal conference implications.

Contact/Follow @KayceeClark and @MWCwire 

WEEK 6: No. 24 Fresno State (5-0, 1-0 MW) vs. Wyoming Cowboys (4-1, 1-0 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, October 7 — 6 PM MST

WHERE: War Memorial Stadium (29,181)

TV: FOX

STREAMING: Get a free trial with FuboTV

RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network

SERIES RECORD: Fresno State 9-5, four straight wins for Fresno State

LAST MATCHUP: Nov. 25, 2022 – Fresno State shut out Wyoming in Fresno last year, 30-0.

WEBSITES: GoWyo.com, the official Wyoming athletics website; GoBulldogs.com, the official Fresno State athletics website.

GAME NOTES: Wyoming | Fresno State

ODDS: Fresno State -6

OVER/UNDER: 44.5 points

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A matchup between two of the top dogs in the Mountain West sets up a potential game of the year for the conference. The undefeated No. 24 Fresno State Bulldogs come to Laramie for only their seventh time to face the one-loss Cowboys. In the last four meetings, the Bulldogs have outscored the Pokes 87-10, with the games in 2022 and 2021 being shutouts.

As the Bulldogs have had the number of the Cowboys, Wyoming’s season has been a surprise for many thus far. A team picked to finish sixth in the conference, now is 4-1 with their only loss coming at the nationally respected Texas Longhorns.

To open conference play last week, Wyoming’s offense looked improved. Quarterback Andrew Peasley appeared to be even healthier, with 194 yards through the air, an added 34 on the ground and two total touchdowns. Running back Harrison Waylee made his weekly appearance in the endzone again and 191 yards. He also added another breakaway touchdown, scoring from 46 yards out and adding a 66-yard rush.

Wide receiver Ayir Asante also sparked on offense with a flat route and some magic after the catch for a 66-yard touchdown.

The defense has room for improvement, especially in the first drive and the fourth quarter. However, nickelback Wrook Brown snatched an interception for the third time this season.

The Cowboys special teams showed up as well, now tied for second in the country with three blocked kicks, including the blocked field goal against Appalachian State and a blocked point after attempt, by Devonne Harris, both returned to the endzone by Jakorey Hawkins. Additionally, John Hoyland kicked four field goals and is still perfect on the season with eight.

It will be a good and close ball game. How can Wyoming pull out a victory? What do the Cowboys need to do to knock off the undefeated Bulldogs?

A Wyoming victory comes from…

Do not give the ball to the Bulldogs. It is much easier said than done, but Fresno State is tied for third in the country in the turnover margin at eight. This includes eight interceptions by the defense. However, even last week for Fresno, turnovers proved to be at least somewhat of a kryptonite for the Bulldogs.

After two interceptions thrown by quarterback Mikey Keene, Nevada, a 0-5 team, only trailed by 14 in the middle of the third quarter. Wyoming has increased its forced turnover rate with a fumble and interception in each of the last two games. Intercepting those passes was Brown, one sealing the victory against Appalachian State.

Head coach Craig Bohl said in his weekly media press conference that the defense needs to get off the field quicker than the New Mexico game. Forcing turnovers themselves is a great way to be positive in the margin and keep their offense off the field.

When getting interceptions and fumbles, forcing the turnovers allows the offense to be set up, typically, in good field position. In any capacity of the offense, something must keep moving the chains. This doesn’t require all aspects of the offense to be in its groove, but they must be adequate.

Against New Mexico, Peasley seemed to have his juice back behind his throws and appeared healthier. Even better, the receivers appeared to be finding the open space with Peasley finding nine different receivers during the game. With even more time to nurse his shoulder, the quarterback demonstrated play that Wyoming fans have become accustomed to.

However, the Bulldog defense has only allowed an average of 188 passing yards by their opponents. If through the air isn’t working, then the Cowboys must rely on the explosive back, Waylee. After missing the first two games, the Northern Illinois transfer is averaging the most rushing yards per game, at 152 yards, in the country; however, he isn’t eligible for the statistic. His yardage this season, in two fewer games than the team, makes up just over 50% of the Cowboys’ total rushing yards on the season. The next closest player is Peasley, who only makes up 14.25%.

In any capacity that Wyoming can manage, the offense must move down the field. If any of the past games are an indication, expect Waylee and the rushing attack to be on point as usual. No game this season thus far has seen the Cowboys rush for less than 150 yards.

For the Pokes to upset Fresno State, the offense will have to put on a show. A safe number to say that Wyoming will have to put on the scoreboard for the victory is around 35 points. Managing a season-high in points against a team only allowing 17 per game would help end Saturday night in Laramie with happy Wyomingites.

However, it’s not all about the statistics and yards for this game. It’s about getting the nasty taste out of the players’ mouths. Having two straight losses against the Bulldogs in which the Cowboys haven’t scored usually doesn’t sit well with players. The last victory for Wyoming against Fresno State came in the 2014 season, Bohl’s first season in Laramie.

Players like Frank Crum and Peasley, sixth-year players who have only played in the MW, have never come out victorious over the Bulldogs. Don’t be surprised to see Wyoming playing like it’s a rivalry game. For the Cowboys, this could be viewed as a grudge match.

As one last motivator for the Pokes, Bohl and Wyoming have been critiqued for it being his 10th season and never eclipsing a .500 record. That can change Saturday night. Bohl is 56-57 at Wyoming with the potential to have an even record after his 6-18 start as a FBS head coach.

The game will be one to keep an eye on, with some branding it as one of the most important Group of Five games this season. Kickoff is scheduled for just after 6 p.m. MST at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie. The temperature should be around 60 degrees at kickoff but will be close to the mid-40s by the fourth quarter.

Wyoming 36 – Fresno State 30

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UNLV Football: Rebels beat Hawaii 44-20 to take home the Golden Pineapple

The UNLV Rebels beat the Hawaii Warriors 44-20 to win the Golden Pineapple trophy on Saturday afternoon. It was the third straight game the Rebels have scored 40 or more points.

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The UNLV Rebels beat the Hawaii Warriors 44-20 to win the Golden Pineapple trophy on Saturday afternoon. It was the third straight game the Rebels have scored 40 or more points.

 

“This game was not only important to our team and to our university but also to Las Vegas,” Rebels head coach Barry Odom said. With conference play starting, the ability to continue the momentum we have built so far in our program and the importance of every single conference game are huge for where we are trying to get to. This is the first time we have scored 40 points in three straight games; that’s tremendous. We had a great offensive performance. We had six sacks and didn’t give up any on the other side. That’s complimentary football. When we can do that and play well in all three phases together, we’ve got an opportunity to continue to play winning ball … I’m proud of this team for what we’ve done now through five weeks.”

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The Rebels were led by an outstanding rushing attack that netted 307 yards. Six different Rebel runners finished with more than 30 yards on the ground, led by Donavyn Lester’s best day with UNLV (98 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries). Courtney Reese added two rushing touchdowns on 32 yards.

“We just enjoy being around the team, the players on a team, running back Donavyn Lester said. “We just try to build each other up every day. We have many selfless guys who don’t care who gets the ball.” 

UNLV’s defense played well; they held the Warriors to 46 yards rushing and had six sacks on the day. Safety Johnathan Baldwin finished with nine tackles, including two for a loss and a sack.

 Quarterback Jayden Maiava completed only 11 passes, but two were touchdowns, including a 16-yarder to running back Vincent Davis Jr. to open the scoring as the Rebels built a 20-3 halftime lead and never looked back.

The Rebels played aggressive man-to-man defense and gave up some long passes; once they clean that up, their defense would be even better. Rebels defensive coordinator Mike Scherer brought in a new scheme that works for the Rebels.

“The Scheme he brought in allows us to play fast run and make many plays. His motto is run and hit,” Rebels safety Johnathan Baldwin said.

 

San Diego State vs. Air Force: Why The Aztecs Will Win

San Diego State’s gameplan against Air Force.

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San Diego State vs. Air Force: Why The Aztecs Will Win

Preview of SDSU’s pivotal Mountain West showdown

Follow @Michaelbraydaly & @MWCwire

 

San Diego State is looking to get back on track

WEEK 5: San Diego State 2-3 (0-1) Air Force Falcons 4-0 (2-0)

WHEN: Saturday, September 30th — 6:00 P.M. MT/ 5:00 P.M. PT

WHERE: Falcon Stadium, Air Force Academy, CO

WEATHER: Low of 48 degrees at night.

TV: CBS Sports Network

STREAM: FuboTV

RADIO: San Diego Sports 760

SERIES RECORD: San Diego State trails Air Force, 18-20, all-time.

WEBSITES: San Diego State |  Air Force

San Diego State is currently in the toughest part of its schedule. After finishing up a tough non-conference slate against UCLA and Oregon State, San Diego State is starting off the first two weeks of Mountain West play against Boise State and Air Force.

Last week, San Diego State fell short to Boise State in a 34-31 loss. Unfortunately for the Aztecs, the schedule is not getting any easier with a road game against Air Force in Week 5. In the Week 4 loss to Boise State, San Diego State had opportunities to win the game, but the end result did not go San Diego State’s way.

How Can San Diego State Pull Off The Upset Over Air Force 

It will be a tall task to go into the Air Force Academy and slow down the Falcons. San Diego State’s defense will have a difficult time slowing down Air Force’s explosive running game. To mitigate the damage from Air Force’s high-powered offense, San Diego State quarterback Jalen Mayden will have to produce as a passer and as a runner.

In the Boise State loss, Mayden passed for 241 yards and one touchdown. He added another touchdown and 85 rushing yards on the ground. San Diego State will need to score several touchdowns to keep up with Air Force’s offense.

Prediction: San Diego State 38, Air Force 34