Last year Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick had 248 total yards and four touchdowns against the Aggies.
This year Kaepernick is averaging more than 168 yards a game through the air. Walker said he and the Aggie defense are equally concerned with Kaepernick’s uncanny ability to get out of the pocket and run. Kaepernick is currently fourth in the WAC in rushing, averaging 102 yards per game.
“Kaepernick is a really good passer and he’s an amazing runner,” linebacker Sam King said. “Anytime that guy gets out of the pocket, he can stretch it for 20 or 30 yards, and even a touchdown.”
Head football coach DeWayne Walker said, unfortunately for the Aggie defense, Kaepernick is not the only explosive player on the team.
“We have to stop Kaepernick, so you put all your focus on stopping him, but here comes [Vai Taua] or [Luke Lippincott], so they have a three-headed monster almost,” Walker said. “They have three guys that can hit you at any time.”
Running backs Taua and Lippincott are second and sixth in rushing in the WAC, respectively.
Last year, the Aggies defeated Nevada in a 48-45 shootout, but Walker said another game like that is unlikely.
“I don’t know if we’re going to be able to put up 48 points,” Walker said. “We have to keep the points down. There’s no way we can give up 40 something points and even have a chance.”
The Aggies will be especially pressed for offensive production Saturday against the Wolf Pack, since running back Seth Smith is not 100 percent. Smith has been an offensive workhorse this year, carrying the ball more than 17 times per game.
“We just ran him to death, and rightfully so,” Walker said. “He’s just going to have to battle through it to try to get through the season. I always expect him to play.”
Still, the primary theme of the practice week has been slowing down Nevada’s three-headed monster running game.
“As a group, we all have to know what we’re getting from practice throughout this week,” safety Stephon Hatchett said. “They have a powerful running offense. As you can see they’re No. 1 in the nation. All 11 players on the field and the substitutes have to know what we are doing at every point in the game from start to finish.”
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