Speedy summary: La. Tech vs. Nevada

By: Kara LaPoint

Friday, October 9, 2009 - 11:31 PM

Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick rushes the ball toward the endzone during a 67-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of the Wolf Pack's 37-14 win over Louisiana Tech. Photo by Scott Barnett

First Quarter:

Just 44 seconds into the game, Louisiana Tech running back Daniel Porter rushed 15 yards into Nevada’s end zone to put the Bulldogs up 7-0 early. The scoring run followed an 84-yard kickoff return by La. Tech wide receiver Phillip Livas.

After forcing La. Tech to a loss of 15 yards, Nevada answered the Bulldogs’ earlier touchdown with a 76-yard offensive drive capped out by a touchdown pass from quarterback Colin Kaepernick to Talaiasi Puloka, Jr. Kaepernick completed a 16-yard pass to Brandon Wimberly and a 14-yard pass to Chris Wellington in the series.

Nevada kept La. Tech’s next possession to a three-and-out ending with a punt by Cade Glasgow. On Nevada’s next drive, following a 47-yard rush by wide receiver Chris Wellington, Keapernick ran the ball five yards in to the end zone to put the Pack up 14-7.

Second Quarter:

Nevada running back Vai Taua rushed for 25 yards to start Nevada’s possession, but Kaepernick was sacked by La. Tech linebacker Adrien Cole for a loss of 16 yards. Ricky Drake kicked a field goal from the 40-yard line to end Nevada’s drive. The kick was good, to put Nevada up 17-7 with 10:17 remaining in the quarter.

Sparked by a six-yard rush by running back Luke Lippincott, Nevada earned four first downs over its next possession to get to the 34-yard line, but was pushed back 15 yards by a holding penalty on offensive lineman Alonzo Durham followed by a false start penalty by linebacker Adam Liranzo. Brad Langley punted 30 yards to end the series.

Nevada forced La. Tech to another three-and-out in its final possession of the half, which ended with a punt by Glasgow.

Third Quarter:

With the ball on La. Tech’s 24-yard line, Kaepernick completed a 24-yard pass to Wimberly in the end zone to put the Pack up 23-7. The extra point attempt by Drake failed

On the second play of a 17-yard possession for La. Tech, Porter rushed for 64-yards to bring the score to 23-14.

The Bulldogs’next possession was cut short on an interception by defensive back Isaiah Frey at Nevada’s 40-yard line.

Nevada’s possession was plagued by a twenty-yard loss resulting from two separate penalties: Tripping and delay of game.

La. Tech’s next drive ended with a punt by Glasgow that was returned six yards by defensive back Antoine Thompson to Nevada’s 33-yard line. On the next play, Kaepernick rushed for 67 yards to extend the Wolf Pack’s lead to 30-14.

Fourth Quarter:

La. Tech’s next three-and-out possession ended with a Glasgow punt from the La. Tech 30-yard line that was blocked by Nevada’s Kaelin Burnett. The block gave Nevada a first-and-ten at the Tech three-yard line. Kaepernick’s 3-yard pass to Virgil Green in the end zone was complete to put the Pack up 37-14.

Nevada held off a 70-yard drive by Louisiana Tech that ended in a missed field goal attempt by Matt Nelson.

Kara LaPoint can be reached at sports@nevadasagebrush.com