The Nevada Sagebrush

Nevada wins 7th in a row

By: Lukas Eggen

Tuesday, November 17, 2009 - 1:16 AM

The Nevada defense forced five turnovers on Saturday against Fresno State in its 52-14 win. The Wolf Pack recovered four fumbles and intercepted a pass. Photo by Casey Durkin/Nevada Sagebrush

Moments after Nevada’s 52-14 victory over Fresno State on Saturday, head coach Chris Ault had one thing to say:

“That was a hell of a win. Questions?”

The Wolf Pack fell behind early, giving up touchdowns on the Bulldogs’ first two possessions thanks to two passes from Fresno State quarterback Ryan Colburn, who finished the game with 362 passing yards.

“We gave up two quick ones and very easy ones,” Ault said. “Then we played some defense.”

From the end of the second quarter until the end of the game, Nevada forced seven turnovers (four fumbles, two on downs and one interception).

The Wolf Pack trailed 14-10 after the first quarter, but controlled the rest of the game, scoring 42 unanswered points over the final three quarters.

“It was a great all-around team effort,” quarterback Colin Kaepernick said.

Ault said he believes the team is peaking at exactly the right time.

“This is the best game we’ve played as one unit and I’m excited,” Ault said.

After taking heat early in the season, the defense played another solid game, forcing five turnovers and holding Fresno State to 112 rushing yards.

“Our defense has arrived and we needed that to happen,” Ault said.

Senior Jonathon Amaya, who led the Wolf Pack with eight tackles and had one forced fumble, said the team has come a long way from the beginning of the season.

“Offensively and defensively, I saw a lot of trust in everyone’s eyes,” Amaya said.

Although the Wolf Pack passed for only 45 yards, Nevada rushed for 461 yards and seven touchdowns against the Bulldogs. Three Nevada ball carriers rushed for more than 95 yards.

“To rush the yards that we’re rushing, that’s really special,” Ault said. “That’s something you don’t see with consistency.”

Emotions were high because the game was the final home game for 15 seniors on Nevada’s roster.

“I looked all my teammates in the eyes,” Lippincott said. “They knew how much everything means to me here, it’s been a long journey. It was sad and emotional.”

Running back Vai Taua said sending the seniors out with a win, which includes Lippincott and Amaya, gave the game even more meaning.

“Our seniors deserve it,” Taua said. “They worked hard from the first year they got here and they got the program to where it is now.”

Lippincott made the most of his final game at Mackay Stadium, rushing for 149 yards and three touchdowns.

“This was one of the funnest ones I’ve played in,” Lippincott said. “We had a lot of emotions out there.”

Nevada, which won its seventh game in a row, remains unbeaten in conference play.

However, Lippincott said the team’s work isn’t done yet.

“We didn’t play our best football,” Lippincott said. “But we will in the next two weeks.”

The victory gives the Pack its sixth-consecutive conference victory.

Four of Nevada’s six wins have been by 23 points or more.

“We expect to dominate,” linebacker James-Michael Johnson said. “Not just win, but dominate.”

Nevada travels to play the Aggies on Saturday before finishing the regular season at Boise State Nov. 27.

Last season, New Mexico State defeated the Wolf Pack at Mackay Stadium 48-45 in Nevada’s conference home opener.