When you ask fans to name compelling rivalries: Alabama-Auburn, Army-Navy, Clemson-South Carolina, Colorado-CSU, Florida-FSU, Florida-Miami, Georgia Tech-UGA, Grambling-Jackson State, KSU-KU, Miami-UF, Michigan-Ohio State, ND-USC, Oklahoma-Texas, Pitt-WVU, Texas-Texas A&M. USC-UCLA, heck the UW-WSU Apple Cup game likely comes to mind before Nevada, [formerly Nevada-Reno] versus UNLV. 13 extra police were deployed, for a total of 90+!
Yet a brawl in stands from this game is a YouTube sensation. The term 'dual-threat' has been heard about as often this football season as Change has been heard this election season but QB Colin Kaepernick ran for 240 yards with touchdown runs from four, 66 and 28 yards out, connected with Virgil Green for a 40-yard score might turn out in the long run to be the best of them all. Though Tebow, White, Grothe, Lefevour, Perrilloux, 'Juice' Williams, Snead are more well-known than Kaepernick who is built like an NBA 2 Guard at 6'4.7" 212 yet he runs with power and his 4.84 40 time is deceptive as his build in not conducive to sprinter style starts.
UNLV hung tough in the first half with two Omar Clayton touchdown passes, and cut the lead to eight in the third quarter on a seven-yard pass to Ryan Wolfe, and then it was all Nevada with 14 fourth quarter points. The Wolf Pack outgained the Rebels 620 yards to 381. Kaepernick passed for 176 yards and two touchdowns through the air for Nevada (2-2), while Via Taua added 123 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries to help lead the Nevada Wolf Pack to a 49-27 victory over the UNLV Runnin' Rebels in the Battle for the Fremont Cannon at Sam Boyd Stadium[the largest NCAA trophy!].
As for UNLV (3-2), the team was paced by Omar Clayton, who threw for 327 yards and three touchdowns despite completing only 18 of his 38 flings. In his defense there were a few bad drops by receivers. Clayton also tossed an interception and was sacked twice. Less than two minutes into the contest Ben Jaekle connected on a 47-yard field goal, giving the Runnin' Rebels a 3-0 edge. UNLV pushed its lead to 10-0 with a seven-yard TD pass from Clayton to Phillip Payne. Nevada found the scoreboard midway through the first quarter with a 70-yard touchdown pass from Kaepernick to Chris Wellington. The Runnin' Rebels were quick to answer back, as Clayton hit Casey Flair with a 41-yard touchdown pass. Less than a minute into the second quarter the Wolf Pack cut their deficit to 17-14 with a four-yard touchdown run by Kaepernick.
After Nevada's defense forced a turnover, the offensive unit wasted no time going to work, as Kaepernick connected with Virgil Green on a 40-yard touchdown pass. Nevada extended its lead to 28-17 with a seven-yard touchdown run by Courtney Randall. Jaekle connected on a 52-yard kick in the final seconds of the first half, bringing the Runnin' Rebels within eight points as the two teams went into the break. The Wolf Pack only needed one play in the second half to push their lead to 35-20, as Kaepernick broke free and scored on a 66-yard touchdown run. Midway through the third quarter Clayton hit Ryan Wolfe with a seven-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Rebels deficit to just eight points. Nevada dominated the last quarter, as the team used a four-yard TD run by Taua, followed by a 28-yard touchdown jaunt by Kaepernick.
The two fourth quarter scores put the Wolf Pack ahead for good, as the team went on to win by a 22-point margin this game was, [sports cliché alert!] closer than the final score indicates but the UNLV defense was overmatched and really showed signs of wear in the second stanza.
Nevada
#62 OG/OT John Bender 6'7.6" 327 5.49 the Jurassic sized Canadian is just a sophomore and when injuries forced their fine C Dominic Green to OG, Bender did reasonably well at OT, but in this game he was back at his more natural position. He moves well for "Man Bear" he can hit moving targets, as long as they don't move to quickly, he is long and strong he is better as a run blocker than a pass blocker he is on the ground too often but has good fundamentals.
#61 C 6'2.3" 299 5.28 Dominic Green is looking better coming back from injury, Green has played all along the line, is smart and tough with his size he needs to be in a Denver-style scheme he has the eyes and mind but his body makes him a priority UDFA.
QB#10 Colin Kaepernick RS Sophomore 6'5" 216 4.76 Is very much like the player he replaced with 1 BIG difference. Jeff Rowe has a decent arm, Kaepernick's can be mentioned in the same breath with: Sanchez, Freeman, Stafford, Davis, note quite with Russell, Elway, Favre or Vick but just a notch below. However he showcased his legs in this game and like Flacco he is deceptively fast. He is a future day 1 pick if he keeps improving.
OT #73 RS Junior Alonzo Durham 6'3.6" 289 5.15 1st caught my eye in the MPC Computers Bowl [rolls right off the tongue right! ] He did very well against Calais Campbell with minimal help. What did not know at the time was that was his 1st start! Very good feet and strong for his size but likely will be moved to OG or C at the next level. With a good year in 2009 could be a 6th rounder.
#13 6'2PK Brett Jaekle made field goals from 47 and 52 yards against UNLV. That kind of leg could be a weapon for the Wolf Pack as the season progresses. Jaekle has made 5-of-7 attempts this season.
Note- Scrappy RS Sr. TB # Luke Lippincott 6'0.5" 218 4.68, who led the WAC in rushing last season, tore the ACL in his left knee and will miss the rest of the season. He has petitioned the NCAA in hopes of getting a sixth season of eligibility.
On Defense-
SS #30 Jon Amaya 6'1.4" 192 4.61 was not as impressive as I had expected, this might be the lingering effects of a knee injury about 1/2 way through last season. Either way he had no tackles or impact and appeared to aggravate the knee.
JR LB #36 Mike Bethea 6'2.4" 243 4.77 Does nothing great, but everything will, he is a very strong tackler, reads misdirection well, is quicker than he looks he posted 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 5 solo tackles an assist. A "poor man's" Chad Greenway the Palomar JC transfer was not expected to crack the 2 deep but on this night he was the best looking player in the front 7.
Josh Mauga #30 6'1.3" 248 4.66 seems back from a blown MCL, he is well-rounded, smart and versatile. He's played MLB, ILB and OLB in 4-3 and the 3-4 scheme, he chased Clayton but missed often only had 1 assist. Similar to Posluzny but a little thicker build. Priority UDFA based on this game but likely a 5th rounder on numbers and physical ability.
Dontay Moch RS Sophomore 6'0.6" 246 4.59 Is a very intriguing prospect he projects to 3-4 OLB and was a 200M champ in HS at about 230! Not as explosive as when I saw him before still for flashes he's unblockable and is playing on raw talent. With more power and more moves he could be a Terrell Suggs-type.
#17 FS/SS Uche Anyanwyu 6'1.4" 218 is a "in the box" thumper with some quickness and change of direction. He looks and plays like a small WLB and might get a look at that position he had 8 solos, 1 assist with a TFL. Moved to SS when Amaya went down, I think he'll go in the 7th round.
UNLV Although overshadowed by the spectacular performance by Nevada QB Colin Kaepernick, QB #2 Omar Clayton- former walk-on a 6'0.5" 203 4.68 sophomore also had a good game, completing 18-of-38 passes for 327 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for a team-high 47 net yards on 12 carries. Clayton's interception, which deflected off the hands of a Rebel receiver, snapped his school-record streak of not throwing an interception at 173. That string ranked second in the nation behind Florida's Tim Tebow's streak of 183. He reminds me of Jeff Blake and might need to be on next year’s All-Under-Appreciated team. He just needs to use his eyes better and quicken his release, he has enough arm and I guess he is about as tall as he's likely to get.
JR WR #88 Ryan Wolfe 6'0.6" 209 4.57 will be a pro and plays like one now, runs spectacular routes, plays faster than he times has hands like a jewel thief and the guts to match. In the late 50s-60s he'd have been a star like: Jack Snow, Boyd Dowler, George Saur, Max McGee, think Mike Hass but faster. 8 catches 167 yards 1 TD including a 46 yarder where he was tightly covered initially lost his man and showed off balance and power. I LOVE this kid!!
AJ Greene and Julio Jones are more well-known Freshman wide outs than # 18 Phillip Payne 6'2.3 187 4.55, but Payne's hands, ability to get the ball at its apex and big play ability take a back seat to nobody's. The lanky long-strider needs to get stronger, learn to explode out of his breaks and max out his natural speed. Think Sidney Rice.
#4 TB Frank "The Tank" Summers 5'9.3" 234 4.61 was never a factor and had the second lowest output of his college career in the loss to Nevada, finishing with just 20 yards on nine carries. Summers tweaked his knee in practice earlier that week perhaps that was part of it but mostly there was nowhere to run. He is similar to former UH power back Ryan Gilbert or Gerald Riggs Jr. a solid but unspectacular 1 speed, downhill runner with good feet and vision. Likely a late round selection 6th-7th.
Defense JR FS #23 Terrence Lee 5'11.6 178 4.53 made 10 solo tackles and 4 assists, many on Colin Kaepernick 8 or more yards down field, the cup 1/2 full way to think of it is he may have saved 50 more yards and 2 more TDs. Had little to do in coverage, needs 10 more lbs. but not afraid to stick his face in there.
RS JR WLB #33 Jason Beauchamp 6'2.6" 232 4.67 was the most impressive defensive prospect on either team, he is filling in well for Beau Bell and registered a career-high 21 tackles, including 10 solo stops, 2.5 tackles for loss (-12 yards), a sack (-8 yards) he also had a fumble recovery in the first quarter that led to a touchdown drive. He is like Brian Iwuh or Barrett Ruud.