Pack running back Taua ineligible for bowl game

By: Juan López

Saturday, December 19, 2009 - 12:10 PM

Nevada running back Vai Taua

HONOLULU — Wolf Pack running back Vai Taua was ruled academically ineligible for the team’s Hawaii Bowl on Thursday against Southern Methodist University, school officials announced today.

Taua, a junior, started and played in 11 games for Nevada this year, rushing for 1,345 yards and 10 touchdowns. His 122.3 rushing yards per game average ranked ninth in the nation.

“I’m upset and disappointed that Vai didn’t fulfill his obligations as a student-athlete,” Nevada football head coach Chris Ault said in a release. “He has let his team down and I will evaluate his future with the program after the bowl game. Our focus now is on the upcoming game and our program is moving forward in that direction.”

Taua failed to reach the NCAA requirements for eligibility and did not travel with the team on Friday to Honolulu.

With the loss of Taua, the Wolf Pack will be without its top two running backs for Thursday’s bowl game against the Mustangs.

Senior back Luke Lippincott will not play in the game because of toe surgery he had on a nagging injury. The sixth-year senior rushed for 1,034 yards and nine touchdowns this season. Combined, Taua and Lippincott rushed for 54.7 percent of the team’s yards (2,379 of 4,347) and 40 percent of the team’s touchdowns (19 of 48).

The Wolf Pack’s next likely options to start at running back are either sophomore Lampford Mark, who was fourth on the team with 286 rushing yards and three touchdowns, or freshman Mike Ball, who was fifth with 201 yards and five scores.

Neither Ault or anyone else associated with the program will have further comment on Taua’s situation.

Juan López can be reached at jlopez@nevadasagebrush.com.