RENO, Nev. – Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick has been named the National Performer of the Week by the College Football Performance Awards, the CFPA announced Sunday. Junior wide receiver Rishard Matthews also earned honorable mention from the CFPA.
The senior from Turlock, Calif., was brilliant on Saturday in Nevada’s 63-17 win over Idaho. He completed 20-of-30 for 320 yards and a career-high five touchdown passes. He did not throw an interception and was not sacked in the game. On the ground, Kaepernick also had 22 yards on eight carries.
With the five scores, Kaepernick tied the school record for most TD passes in a career at 78 (tied with Eric Beavers, 1983-86). Kaepernick also moved over the 9,000-yard mark in passing for his career at Nevada. He is the second Wolf Pack quarterback to hit that milestone and the 14th quarterback in WAC history to do so.
In addition to the National Performer of the Week honor, Kaepernick was also named the National Quarterback Performer of the week.
Matthews, a junior from Santa Ana, Calif., had a career game against the Vandals. He caught seven passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns, all of which set career highs. He also had his first career touchdown run on a 7-yard reverse.
Kaepernick and Matthews hooked up for a 53-yard pass play in the first quarter that was Nevada’s second touchdown of the game. The duo connected again late in the second quarter when Kaepernick hit a streaking Matthews down the left sideline for a 45-yard catch. The diving grab by Matthews was a highlight reel catch and set up a 2-yard Kaepernick-to-Matthews touchdown pass on the next play as Nevada capped a 96-yard drive on seven plays in just 46 seconds to take a 28-3 lead into halftime.
Nevada, now 8-1 overall and 3-1 in Western Athletic Conference play, moved up to No. 21 in both national polls this week. The Wolf Pack will be back in action this week when it travels to Fresno State to battle the Bulldogs. Fresno State is 6-2 overall and 4-1 in WAC play and the Bulldogs are receiving votes in the USA Today poll. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Bulldog Stadium and the game will be carried on either ESPN or ESPNU. A decision on which network will carry the game is expected by Monday.
Link:
http://collegefootballperformance.com/perfomers-of-the-week/2010/
