After the completion of Nevada’s 44-26 win against UNLV head coach Chris Ault was displeased. Ault handed back the coaches passes-which said UNR Coaches.
“We won’t wear these again,” Ault said. “We wouldn’t do that to them up there.”
The Wolf Pack overcame a slow start and three turnovers to defeat UNLV and keep the Fremont Cannon for the sixth year in a row-the longest streak in the rivalry’s history.
“It’s the first time we’ve gone six times in a row so it’s a great feeling,” quarterback Colin Kaepernick said. “I’ve never seen it any other color and I’d like to keep it that way.”
Early on, it appeared as though the game would be close. The two teams were tied at seven after the first quarter. Wide receiver Rishard Mathews fumbled a punt return in the first quarter. The kick coverage team also struggled, giving up returns of 68, 32, 23 and 22 yards.
“That’s about being in the right lanes and making the right plays,” Ault said. “There’s no excuse for the way our kick-off coverage team and our kick return team played tonight.”
Kaepernick threw an interception in the first half and Nevada lost two fumbles during the game.
However, Nevada outscored the Rebels 37-13 the rest of the game to win pulling away. The Wolf Pack gained 516 yards of offense while the Rebels gained 294.
But the Rebels kept the game close, pulling to within 31-17 late in the third quarter.
“We made our mistakes and gave them a couple of points,” defensive end Dontay Moch said. “We have to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
After scoring, however, the Wolf Pack answered immediately. On Nevada’s next play from scrimmage, Taua scored on a 72-yard touchdown run as Nevada went up 38-17 headed into the fourth quarter.
Nevada improved to 5-0 on the season while the Rebels fell to 1-4, the first time the Wolf Pack is undefeated headed into conference play since joining the Western Athletic Conference.
Nevada had three different players who scored rushing touchdowns-Kaepernick, and running backs Vai Taua and Courtney Randall. Taua also caught Kaepernick’s lone passing touchdown of the game.
Nevada hosts San Jose State next Saturday to open its conference season.