Nevada vs. Boise State Football 2009
Streaking Wolf Pack, Unbeaten Broncos Meet in WAC Title Showdown
The undefeated Broncos will face the Wolf Pack on Friday, Nov. 27, in a game that will likely decide the Western Athletic Conference football championship.
Nevada (8-3 overall, 7-0 WAC) will capture the title outright if it wins the 7 p.m. PST game at Boise, Ida. If the Broncos prevail, they'll clinch at least a share of the conference crown, and gain a chance to claim it outright with a victory over New Mexico State on Dec. 5.
Of course, Boise State (11-0, 6-0) is also in strong contention for a Bowl Championship Bowl bowl berth. The Broncos, who are No. 6 in the BCS standings, have a good chance of securing it if they keep winning.
They've done that quite a bit vs. Nevada recently, winning the last nine games for a 23-12 lead in the series. But the Wolf Pack came close the past two seasons, falling 41-34 at Reno last year and a dropping a 69-67, four-overtime heartbreaker at Boise in 2007.
Nevada's last victory over the Broncos was a 42-24 decision in 1998, and the Wolf Pack hasn't won in Boise since a 56-42 triumph in 1997. Nevada, nonetheless, will carry an eight-game winning streak into the 2009 game. The Pack hasn't lost since falling to 31-21 to Missouri the third week of the season.
Broncos, Wolf Pack Rank Among NCAA's Highest-Scoring Teams
Friday's game, scheduled for telecast by ESPN2, will match two of the highest-scoring teams in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. Boise State leads the FBS with an average of 44.36 points per game. Nevada, which runs a unique "pistol" offense, is fourth at 41.27.
Nevada boasts the top rushing attack in the FBS, piling up 373.18 yards per game. The Wolf Pack is the only team in NCAA history to have three rushers top 1,000 yards in the same season. Coach Chris Ault's team can pass, too, and it ranks second in the FBS in total offense at 523.18 yards per game.
Boise State is ninth in the FBS with 455.91 yards of total offense, and it also features a solid defense. Chris Petersen's Broncos are yielding 17.3 points and 301.9 yards per game. Nevada is allowing 25.6 points and 396.4 yards.
The Wolf Pack blew out New Mexico State 63-20 last week. Boise State is coming off a 52-21 victory over Utah State.
Boise State's Moore Has Thrown 33 TDs, Only 3 Interceptions
Boise State quarterback Kellen Moore completed 15 of 29 passes for 233 yards and one TD vs. Utah State – a solid outing for most, but a sub-par one for Moore. The sophomore has been spectacular in 2009, completing 66.26 percent of his passes for 2,791 yards and 33 touchdowns. He's been intercepted only three times and sacked just five times.
Two Boise State receivers have a chance to top 1,000 yards. Austin Pettis has made 62 catches for 850 yards and 14 touchdowns. Titus Young has 60 catches for 808 yards and nine scores.
The running attack is effective as well. Jeremy Avery has rushed for 1,008 yards and five touchdowns, gaining six yards per carry. Doug Martin, whose hard-nosed running serves as a strong complement to the elusive Avery, has powered his way to 512 yards and 10 TDs on a 5.7 average. He had 121 yards and four TDs vs. Utah State.
The Broncos have been very successful taking care of the football, committing only 10 turnovers. Their opponents, meanwhile, have turned the ball over 29 times.
Safety Johnson Continues to Deliver for Broncos Defense
Safety Jeron Johnson leads Boise State with 73 tackles, and he racked up 14 last week vs. Utah State. Johnson also has a team-high four interceptions, but cornerbacks Kyle Wilson and Brandyn Thompson and linebacker Aaron Tevis are close behind with three apiece.
The Broncos have recorded 21 sacks, with linemen Ryan Winterswyk and Billy Winn leading the charge. Winterswyk has team highs of seven sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss. WInn's made 5.5 sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss.
Winston Venable, a combination linebacker/safety, is second on the team with 49 tackles. Linebackers J.C. Percy and Daron Mackey are next with 48 and 36 tackles, respectively.
Boise State's defense has been sharp most of the season, but did yield over 500 yards in victories over Idaho and Fresno State. Nevada could provide a much difficult test.
Kaepernick, Taua, Lippincott Top 1,000 Yards
Nevada has run the ball so effectively that it has a good chance of placing three rushers over 1,200 yards by season's end. Two are already over 1,100.
Running back Vai Tua has already picked up 1,185 yards and scored nine touchdowns while averaging eight yards per attempt. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has 1,129 yards and 16 touchdowns, picking up 7.7 yards per rush. Running back Luke Lippincott is third with 1,028 yards and nine TDs, on a 7.7 average.
In addition to running for 16 TDs, Kaepernick has passed for 16. He's connected on 60.2 percent of his throws for 1.734 yards, with only five interceptions.
Freshman Brandon Wimberly (42 catches, 495 yards, 4 TDs) is the No. 1 receiver. Other threats include Chris Wellington (21 receptions, 264 yards) and tight end Virgil Green (20 catches, 239 yards, 4 TDs).
DB Amaya Anchors Nevada Defense
Nevada's defense has surrendered 400 yards or more in six games this season. But with the way the Wolf Pack has been scoring, it's enjoyed the luxury of bending in many of its games.
Safety Jonathon Amaya has been steady performer, leading the Pack with 71 tackles. He's also broken up seven passes and made an interception.
Another standout is defensive end Dontay Moch, whose made 19.5 tackles for loss to rank fifth in the FBS. Moch has 51 tackles overall, including 6.5 sacks. The other Nevada end, Kevin Basped, has 10.5 tackles for loss, including 7.5 sacks. Nevada has 29 sacks overall.
The Wolf Pack has also been bolstered by linebackers Mike Bethea (59 tackles), Brandon Marshall (56 tackles) and James-Michael Johnson (53 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss). Defensive back Mo Harvey has added 51 tackles.
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