Graz done for the season
Nevada quarterback Nick Graziano is done for the season and the redshirt freshman Colin Kaepernick is going to have to lead the Nevada offense for the rest of the season.
Graziano injured the tendons in his right foot when he was sacked by Fresno State’s Tyler Clutts and Jon Monga for a three-yard loss early in the second quarter.
He underwent surgery Monday morning, Ault said during the quarterback luncheon, and he is not expected to return until the spring.
Graziano will be in a boot for about six weeks and will be out of commission for about four months, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
The sophomore was seen on the sideline later in the game with crutches and a protective boot on his foot.
Coach Chris Ault said Kaepernick will start against Boise State next week and true freshman Luke Collis will be the backup.
Based on his play in Saturday’s loss, Kaepernick may be up to the challenge.
In a game where it was hard to find anything positive, Kaepernick stood out, throwing for 384 yards and four touchdowns – he scrambled for 60 yards – while leading a fourth quarter comeback that made the final score, 49-41, respectable.
“I thought Kaepernick was outstanding,” Nevada head coach Chris Ault said. “That was a tough situation. There was a lot of pressure on the kid, so you see the potential in him. He’s a fine athlete.”
Kaepernick showed poise in the pocket, taking his time to find open receivers and holding onto the ball when he was sacked.
In the final six minutes of the fourth quarter he ran for one touchdown and threw for two, scoring the last one with just three seconds to play in the game.
“I thought the offense in that fourth quarter played as good as they can play,” Ault said.
Wide receiver Marko Mitchell, who Kaepernick hit for a touchdown in the second quarter, said he doesn’t think the quarterback switch will be a problem.
“They’re basically the same quarterback, except Colin can get out of the pocket quicker,” Mitchell said.
Kaepernick said he was thrilled that he played so well, but felt bad it came about because of Graziano’s injury.
“It’s kind of a bittersweet feeling,” Kaepernick said.
He credited the offensive line with giving him time to find receivers.
“The offensive line did a great job,” he said. “There’s nothing more I could ask from them.”
Kaepernick’s previous performances have been uninspiring.
In limited time against Nebraska he completed one pass for a 1-yard loss and against Nicholls State he completed one pass for 12 yards and threw an interception.
Graziano and Kaepernick competed for the starting quarterback position in fall camp, with Graziano winning and starting in all five of Nevada’s games so far.
Graziano ends his season with 1,119 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions.
In Nevada’s 36-31 loss to Northwestern, he threw for 337 yards, two touchdowns and in the 27-20 win over interstate rival UNLV he threw for 330 yards and three touchdowns, including a game-winning 43-yarder to Kyle Sammons with only 27 seconds remaining.
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