Alone Atop The WAC: Nevada Buries Idaho In Offensive Tsunami

(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

It wasn't like Idaho was a pushover coming into this game. With a 6-1 record and a win over Colorado State, the Vandals have proven to be a much improved team. Their only loss was to Washington and that was not by that much. After all, they boasted the best rushing defense in the WAC holding opponents to less that 100 yards per game. They were facing the nation's top rushing offense and it promised to be a tough game.

Idaho was good. Very good, in fact. QB Enderle passed for some 400 yards. Their WR's were terrific. Idaho need not hang their heads. The scored 45 points in a losing effort. That's not shabby!

Unfortunately, they ran into a Nevada team that is surging offensively. Their very tough early non-conference schedule is clearly paying off. Once again, the Pack offense put on a show with 662 yards, 484 of them rushing, They won 70-45. They have widened their grasp on the nation's top rushing team status at 320 yards and are now second in the nation in total offense. They lead the WAC in rushing, total offense, sacks and tackles for loss per game. DE Dontay Moch leads the nation in TFL.  They still have some weaknesses. Their corners get beaten too often and give up too many big plays and penalties. Their corners just don't have the speed or size. To beat Nevada, you have to go to the air for big plays. You cannot stop their running game. Even Notre Dame couldn't stop their running game. Their offensive line is very good and their defensive line was smothering and put pressure on Enderle all day.

Consider this, it could have been worse. QB Kaepernick was lifted for much of the 4th for his stand-in and their sterling blue chip NFL prospect, DE Kevin Basped sat out much of the second half with a knee sprain. Most of the starters came out mid-way through the 4th. Ault, never one to run up the score, ran out the clock at the end with the Pack about to make it 77 points.

The Idaho and Nevada players gathered around after the game, patting each other on the back. It was a display of class, sportsmanship and mutual respect. Nevada hasn't gotten much respect this season due to their 0-3 start. But that was against top tier teams. Anyone who has counted them out is not watching them very closely. ESPN's pundit Kirk Herbstreit clearly doesn't. He said yesterday that Boise State will definitely run the table. Don't be so sure about that, Kirk. I have been saying all season, Nevada will be Boise's toughest game. At least for now, Nevada is alone atop the WAC.

Kaepernick is just amazing. He is the most unusual QB I have ever seen. He rushed for 230 yards and 4 TD's himself! He also went 13 for 21 in the air and passed for 2 more TD's. He has deceptive speed and once he gets running room, look out, he is fast! He has so many weapons it is hard to explain. You just have to watch him, as I have, in every game since his debut against BSU in 2007 when torched them for 67 points. But Nevada has so many terrific players and they are coming together and getting better every game.  Look out WAC.

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