Wolf Pack wins opener against Tigers
The Wolf Pack used a dominant rush offense and near-perfect situational defense to beat Grambling State on Saturday 49-13.
“I really liked the energy on defense, especially on the goal line,” coach Chris Ault said.
Nevada out rushed the Tigers 426 yards to five yards, even though Grambling State had 40 attempts on the ground.
“That is something that we got to do,” Wolf Pack defensive end Dontay Moch said.
The Wolf Pack held Grambling State to zero scores in each of the Tigers’ four red zone chances.
The Wolf Pack also was able to play both its veteran quarterbacks, Nick Graziano and Colin Kaepernick, for an extended amount of playing time.
Kaepernick started for the Wolf Pack and gained the team’s first score of the season on a seven-yard run in the game’s third minute. He added a second rushing touchdown on a 19-yard run with three minutes left in the first quarter.
Vai Taua put the Wolf Pack up 21-0 with a one-yard run in the second quarter. Taua, who led Nevada in rushing Saturday with 103 yards, scored the Wolf Pack’s fourth touchdown on a four-yard run to begin the third quarter. Taua’s final score capped a nine play Wolf Pack drive, which was the longest of the game.
“We really tried to put as many runners out there and try to get a feel for each of our backs,” Ault said.
Luke Lippincott, Nevada’s leading rusher from last season, only had nine carries because his coaches wanted to save him for next week’s game against Texas Tech, Lippincott said.
The senior back also said he had to leave the field before halftime.
“I had to get 22 stitches,” he said. “I think I hit a guy (Lippincott motioned with his elbow), but we stitched it up and I got back out there in the second half.”
Nevada still averaged eight yards per rush, even without Lippincott for the majority of the game.
“It’s really important for us as quarterbacks to have the rush game step up like it did,” Kaepernick said. “It really takes the stress off of us.”
Grambling State got its first score on a Kaepernick interception that was returned for a touchdown in the third quarter. The Tigers scored one more touchdown in the fourth quarter, but missed the extra point.
Kaepernick was 10-for-17 with 122 yards and one interception as a passer Saturday. He also ran for three touchdowns and 66 yards on six carries. Graziano passed the ball 12 times with seven completions and 75 yards, but no scores.
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on Saturday, August 30th, 2008 at 10:48 pm and is filed under Breaking News, Football, Sports.
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