Reno, Nev. – Led by the Union up front, the Nevada offense looked sharp in the Wolf Pack’s final scrimmage of fall camp.
The offense recorded six touchdowns – five on the ground – in the 10-series controlled scrimmage at Mackay Stadium. Senior running back Vai Taua ran for two of the scores (a 1-yard run and a 3-yard run) while redshirt freshman Stefphon Jefferson led the way with 84 yards on the ground and another touchdown. Junior Lampford Mark reeled off a 22-yarder for a touchdown and redshirt freshman quarterback Mason Magleby had the other TD run, a 3-yarder.
Senior quarterback Colin Kaepernick was sharp throwing the ball. Kaepernick finished 11-of-13 for 118 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. His touchdown pass was a 14-yarder to juco transfer Rishard Matthews, who made a stunning catch in the corner of the end zone.
“I thought our offense front came off the ball like we expect them to do,” head coach Chris Ault said. “Defensively speaking, we weren’t sharp like we have been. … We’ll rally that group and get them to the point they have got to be.” (CLICK HERE for all of Ault's post-scrimmage comments).
The Pack secondary did have a pair of interceptions. Sophomore corner Thaddeus Brown had the first pick, making a nice play off a deflection. Sophomore safety Duke Williams had the other interception, making a brilliant play on the ball, batting it in the air and then coming up with the pick. Both interceptions came from junior quarterback Tyler Lantrip, who was 8-of-14 for 74 yards.
Junior safety Bubba Boudreaux led the defense with eight tackles while Marlon Johnson had six stops and Albert Rossette had five tackles. Sacks were recorded by Dontay Moch, Brandon Marshall, Mike Andrews and Zack Madonick.
The Pack will take Sunday off from practice and will not practice Monday either with classes beginning at the university. Nevada will return to the practice field on Tuesday as it prepares for the season opener against Eastern Washington on Sept. 2. Season tickets are available by calling 775-348-PACK.
Scrimmage Stats Passing
Colin Kaepernick 11-13-118-1-0; Tyler Lantrip 8-14-74-0-2; Mason Magleby 2-2-54-0-0; Cody Fajardo 2-5-17-0-0.
Rushing
Stefphon Jefferson 7-84-1; Courtney Randall 9-57-0; Lampford Mark 4-31-1; Vai Taua 7-29-2; Cody Fajardo 2-23-0 Colin Kaepernick 3-13-0; Mike Ball 1-5-0; Nick Hale 2-4-0; Mason Magleby 1-3-1.
Receiving
Rishard Matthews 5-61-1; Zach Sudfeld 4-49; Tray Session 3-18; Necho Beard 2-53; Joe Huber 2-18; Moe Patterson 2-17; Michael Wyman 2-19; Vai Taua 1-22; Nick Hale 1-9; Stephen Jeffers 1-4.
Tackles
8: Bubba Boudreaux; 6: Marlon Johnson; 5: Albert Rosette; 4: Corbin Louks, Dontay Moch, Jeremiah Green; 3: Duke Williams, Khalid Wooten, Kevin Grimes, Kaelin Burnett, Brandon Marshall, Zack Madonick, Dean Faddis. 2: Isaiah Frey, Doyle Miller, James-Michael Johnson, Dray Bell, Thaddeus Brown, Adam Liranzo, Brock Hekking, Fig James; 1: Willie Faataualofa, Brett Roy, Ryan Coulson, Orie Lupear, Evan Favors.
