Nevada vs. San Jose State
Nov. 15, 2008
Nevada Post-Game Notes
Nevada improved to 6-4 overall and 4-2 in the Western Athletic Conference. The Wolf Pack is bowl eligible for the fourth straight season.
Nevada coach Chris Ault is now 197-89-1 all-time in his career.
Sophomore quarterback Colin Kaepernick had a 16-yard run in the third quarter that broke the Nevada team single-season rushing record. The record was held by the 1978 team (3,096 yards). The record was broken in the 10th game this season the 1978 team played 12 games.
Colin Kaepernick had a 6-yard TD run in the fourth quarter that broke the Nevada team single-season rushing TD record. The record was held 1978 and 1981 teams at 34 rushing touchdowns. Nevada now has 35 rushing TDs and has played 10 games on the season the 1978 team played 12 games and the 1981 team played 11 games.
Sophomore running back Vai Taua topped the 100-yard mark in rushing for the fifth consecutive game and seventh time this season.
Colin Kaepernick topped the 100-yard mark in rushing for the fourth time this season and the sixth time in his career. Kaepernick also went over the 1,000-yard mark for the season.
This is the fourth time this season that Kaepernick and Taua have rushed for at least 100 yards each in the same game (UNLV, Hawaii, Fresno State).
Kaepernick scored on a 7-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and a 6-yard TD run in the fourth for his 15th and 16th rushing TD of the season and 21st and 22nd of his career. Kaepernick is now second on Nevada’s single-season list for rushing TDs in a season (Record-holder: Chris Lemon, 1997, 19). He is also tied for sixth on Nevada’s single-season list for touchdowns in a season.
Vai Taua’s 57-yard rushing touchdown in the second quarter was his 12th rushing TD of the season and 14th touchdown of the season. He is now tied for 10th on Nevada’s single-season touchdown list with 14.
Senior kicker Brett Jaekle connected on a 35-yard field goal in the first quarter and a 33-yarder in the fourth quarter. Jaekle is now 11-of-14 on FGs on the year.
Et Cetera: Jerome Johnson started at middle linebacker and Joshua Mauga started at one of the outside linebacker positions ... Marko Mitchell has now caught a pass in 24 straight games and in 35 of 36 games in his career ... Mitchell’s 31-yard touchdown catch in the third quarter was his sixth TD of the season ... Nevada scored in all four quarters of the game and has now scored in 28 consecutive quarters. Nevada has scored in every quarter but two this season (second half against Missouri) ... Nevada will remain home for its next game as undefeated Boise State comes to Mackay Stadium for Senior Day.
Nevada Post-Game Quotes
Nevada coach Chris Ault
-“It was really an interesting game. From an offensive standpoint I was a little disappointed Kaepernick didn’t convert some passes. Missed passes are missed opportunities. Defensively, they scored two touchdowns in four plays. That’s ridiculous. We had highs and lows, but we can’t do this against the Boise’s of the world.”
On the rushing records:
“It’s outstanding for those individuals. You have to throw your o-line in there. It starts up front and works its way to the back. I’m the last person to talk stats, but that’s pretty outstanding for those players. That’s some pretty good history right there.”
On becoming bowl eligible:
“We’ve got two games left. It’s nice but doesn’t mean much.”
Nevada senior center Dominic Green
On setting the school rushing record:
“It feels good having this record after only ten games, we just want to add to it to make a record that lasts.”
On playing Boise State next week:
“It is the number one game marked on my calendar and it’s on senior day. We came close last year and that loss digs at you, it’s the one game on our minds all the time.”
Nevada sophomore quarterback Colin Kaepernick
On becoming bowl eligible:
“It doesn’t mean anything right now, we have to get ready for Boise State. When we come back Monday morning, everything is about Boise State.”
On getting the win at home:
“A win is a win, it’s a good feeling whether you run it or throw it, it’s a good feeling.”
On the offense:
“We played well. I should have had three touchdown passes that didn’t happen.”
San Jose State Post-Game Quotes
San Jose State head coach Dick Tomey
On Nevada: “I think Nevada has a really good team. Obviously, we were soundly beaten. We had a little window of opportunity to get back in the second half but we just couldn’t get it done. I’m still amazed that they lost twice in conference.”
On Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick: “They got a quarterback that is a tremendous running threat and has a great arm. He’s grown a lot since we played them last year. He’s made a tremendous improvement.”
On the offense: “It was a little better than last week. We did some good things. We couldn’t run the ball but nobody can run the ball against [Nevada]. We pretty much gave up on it in the second half. The only thing that was good for us was our kickoff and our kickoff return.”
San Jose State cornerback Coye Francies
On San Jose State defensive tackle Jarron Gilbert on breaking record for career tackles for loss: “I’m very excited for him. I’m proud of his accomplishment. I’m still bitter from the defeat but I’m pleased to hear that though.”
On the team with injuries: “For me personally, it’s discouraging but I’ll fight through it. I think the team doesn’t worry about it.”
On Nevada’s offense: “I think they executed very well. It was a physical game and we expected a physical game.”
