The Nevada Sagebrush

Idaho wide receiver Max Komar had 10 receptions for 136 yards and three touchdowns against the Wolf Pack on Saturday. Photo by Casey Durkin/Nevada Sagebrush

The Idaho Vandals defense had one mission coming into Saturday’s game against Nevada.

“We needed, as a defense, to take care of No. 10,” Vandals head coach Robb Akey said, referring to Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

However, Kaepernick had 230 rushing yards and four touchdowns along with 178 passing yards and two touchdowns to lead the Wolf Pack to a 70-45 victory over Idaho.

“Looked to me like No. 10 could have been a Heisman Trophy winner today,” Akey said. “The kid’s a stallion. He played his tail off and my hat’s completely off to him. He outplayed us.”

Nevada jumped out to a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter as it appeared the game was going to be a blowout. The Wolf Pack’s defense got continuous pressure on Idaho and recorded four sacks in the first quarter.

“That defensive front that they have is real good,” Idaho wide receiver Max Komar said. “Those two defensive ends that they have are up there in the nation in tackles for loss.”

Idaho would respond in the second quarter, pulling to within 28-24 heading into half time in large thanks to two 73-yard touchdown receptions by wide receiver Maurice Shaw.

“We got settled in in the second quarter,” Komar said. “We went to the two-minute offense, similar to what we did to Colorado State and caught them off guard a little bit.”

Although it had a slow start, Akey was pleased with the offensive performance from his team, including Komar who had 10 catches for 136 yards and three touchdowns.

“We gave ourselves offensively, an opportunity to get into a track meet,” Akey said.

The high-scoring affair would continue to escalate before Nevada pulled away at the beginning of the fourth quarter.

“We can’t give up 70 points and expect to win,” defensive end Aaron Lavarias said.

Idaho gave up 484 rushing yards and 662 yards of total offense to Nevada.

“If you look at their run offense, they’re No.1 one in the nation and it showed tonight,” Komar said. “They are hard to stop.”

The defense’s performance was frustrating to Akey.

“We were poor today and I apologize to all the Vandals for that,” he said.

While the loss may left many Vandals fans scratching their heads, Akey explained the loss.

“When you put two very good football teams on the field that are going after a (Western Athletic Conference) Championship, the team that plays the best is going to win,” Akey said. “And they outplayed us today.”

However, the Vandals, who fell to 6-2 on the season and 3-1 in the conference, were already looking ahead.

“We’re going to watch film, see what we did wrong, put this game behind us and move forward,” Komar said. “We can’t let this ruin our season.”

STATS:

Idaho:

QB Nathan Enderle: 342 passing yards, four touchdowns and one interception.

RB Deonte Jackson: 88 rushing yards and one touchdown.

WR Max Komar: 136 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Nevada:

QB Colin Kaepernick: 178 passing yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions.

QB Colin Kaepernick: 230 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.

WR Brandon Wimberly: 62 receiving yards and zero touchdowns.

Lukas Eggen can be reached at leggen@nevadasagebrush.com.

Related Posts:

• Quick summary of Nevada’s 70-45 victory over Idaho
• Nevada football highlights against No. 9 Boise State
• Pack aims to avenge last year’s heartbreak
• New promos for Pack sports
• Facebook posts give view into athletes’ private lives