Nevada vs. Utah State Football 2009
Revived Wolf Pack Aims for 3rd Consecutive Victory
After a turnover-plagued 0-3 start, the Wolf Pack is on two-game winning streak and putting up huge numbers. Nevada (2-3, overall, 0-1 WAC) will try to make it three victories in a row when it takes on Utah State in a Western Athletic Conference football game Saturday, Oct. 17, at Logan, Utah.
Nevada’s vaunted pistol offense fired some blanks early in the season, as the Wolf Pack dropped its opener 35-0 at Notre Dame, fell 35-20 at Colorado State, then lost 31-21 at home to Missouri. But the Pack ran wild in a 63-28 humiliation of UNLV, then opened its WAC season with an impressive 37-14 triumph over Louisiana Tech last week.
Coach Chris Ault’s team has climbed in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision rankings as well. Nevada now boasts the top rushing offense in the FBS at 288.8 yards per game, and is eighth in total offense at 475.0. The Wolf Pack ranked third and fifth in those categories last year.
Nevada could add to those numbers considerably against a Utah State defense that ranks 107th in the 120-team FBS. But the Aggies (1-4, 0-1) have shown great promise on offense during Gary Andersen’s first season as head coach.
So Saturday’s Noon PST contest will be a shootout. It will be telecast by the Nevada Sports Network.
Aggies Competitive Despite Tough Schedule
Utah State suffered a frustrating 20-18 loss at New Mexico State in its WAC opener last week, outgaining its opponent 429 to 230 in total offense but losing on last-second field goal. Special-teams mishaps and 128 penalty yards proved decisive.
The Aggies’ only victory is a 53-24 decision over Southern Utah the third week of the season. Their other defeats were 35-17 defeat at Brigham Young, a 38-30 loss to Texas A&M and a season-opening 35-17 setback to Utah.
Despite meeting two teams that are currently ranked in the Top 25, as well as a school from the Big 12 Conference, Utah State is actually outgaining its opposition. The Aggies are averaging 443.6 yards per game.
Borel, Turbin Lead Utah State’s Spread Offense
Quarterback Diondre Borel and running back Robert Turbin have been the spearheads for Utah State, which has averaged 26.8 points per game utilizing a new spread offense.
Turbin has rushed 84 times for 613 yards, ranking seventh in the FBS with 120.8 yards per game. The sophomore, who averages 7.2 yards per carry, carry has run for three touchdowns. He’s also made 11 pass receptions for 190 yards and two more TDs.
The fleet-footed Borel has rushed for 182 yards and four TDs, and has completed 57.1 percent of his passes for 1,140 yards and six touchdowns. The junior has been intercepted only once.
His most deadly target has been Stanley Morrison, who’s made 15 catches for 311 yards and a TD. Another threat is Omar Sawyer, who has 12 receptions for 155 yards, and two touchdown passes.
Aggies’ Wagner Ranks Among NCAA Tackling Leaders
The Aggies defense has been shoved around consistently, giving up 32.4 points per game in addition to 424 yards. But linebacker Bobby Wagner done a lot of pushing back. The sophomore has collected 55 tackles, and his average of 11 per game ties him for fifth in the FBS.
Safety James Brindley, meanwhile, has come up with 46 tackles. The senior is tied for sixth in the FBS with eight passes defended – two interceptions and six pass breakups.
Other leaders for the Aggies include cornerback Rajiric Coleman (35 tackles), linebacker Paul Igboeli (28 tackles), cornerback Chris Randle (24 tackles, 3 pass breakups) and defensive end Junior Keiaho (22 tackles).
QB Kaepernick Is Catalyst for Wolf Pack
The Wolf Pack committed 14 turnovers over its first four games, but had none vs. Louisiana Tech. Much of that was the result of QB Colin Kaepernick avoiding fumbles and interceptions that plagued him earlier in the season.
A 6-foof-6 junior with blazing speed, Kaepernick is the key to Nevada’s offense. He’s rushed for 384 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry. And he’s completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 920 yards and six TDs Kaepernick has been intercepted four times.
Kaepernick is second on the team in rushing to Luke Lippincott, who’s run for 393 yards and a TD on a 6.2 average. Third is Vai Taua, who has 316 yards and two TDs on a 6.4 average.
Another option is Mike Ball, who leads the Pack with five rushing TDs. The freshman has averaged 10.2 yards per carry while gaining 201 yards, and he’s also an accomplished kickoff returner (30 yards per runback).
The receiving corps is led by freshman Brandon Wimberly (25 catches, 360 yards, 3 TDs) and Trey Session (20 catches, 211 yards). Tight end Virgil Green has two TD catches for the Wolf Pack, who average 28.2 points per game.
Nevada’s Moch No. 2 on FBS List
The Wolf Pack isn’t known for its defense, yielding 28.6 points and 394.6 yards per game. But defensive end Dontay Moch has caused major distress for opponents, recording 12 tackles for losses to rank second in the FBS. The junior’s made 27 stops overall, recording three sacks and forcing two fumbles.
Another disruptive force for Nevada has been linebacker Brandon Marshall, who’s made 31 tackles – five for losses. And defensive lineman Kevin Basped has 5.5 tackles for losses, including 2.5 sacks.
Defensive back Jonathon Amaya tops the team in tackling with 36, and linebacker Mike Bethea also has 31.
Wolf Pack Holds Series Edge
Nevada has won its last four meetings with Utah State and owns a 15-4 series advantage. The Wolf Pack won last year, 44-17 in Reno, Nev.
But Nevada will try to extend its streak without starting offensive tackle Mike Gallett. The junior was suspended for an undisclosed violation of team rules, The Associated Press reported Tuesday.
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