Colin Kaepernick Inches Closer to NCAA Records as Nevada Defeats Utah State

Nevada's Colin Kaepernick is a little closer to setting three all-time NCAA records in the Wolf Pack's victory over Utah State, 56-42. With the win, Nevada (7-1) reappears in the AP Top 25 and inches up to No. 23 in the BCS rankings.

After jumping out to a 35-0 lead in the first half, Nevada gave up 42 points to the Aggies in the second half, hanging on to win by two touchdowns. But what appeared to be a complete defensive meltdown was actually a glimpse of what the Wolf Pack will look like next year.

Coach Chris Ault sat nearly the entire starting lineup in the second half. With Kaepernick out, RB Vai Taua resting a severe ankle sprain, and most of the starters sitting the bench, the second half was on-the-job experience for the second string. Even so, Ault must have wondered if he pulled his starters too soon, as the Aggies almost got back into it.

Although he only played half the game, Kaepernick made progress toward three important all-time NCAA records. He rushed for 106 yards and scored his 52nd rushing TD. He now stands at third all time in NCAA history for rushing TDs by a QB, and he needs only five more to tie Tim Tebow for second place and seven more to tie Eric Crouch for the all-time record.

With five regular season games to go and a bowl appearance now guaranteed, Nevada's Colin Kaepernick will almost certainly surpass Tebow and may well catch Crouch as the all-time best rushing QB in college football history.

Kaepernick also completed 10-of-15 passes for 190 yards and two TDs. He now has 1670 yards passing so far this season and will almost certainly surpass the 2,000 yard mark for the fourth year in a row. He has 8,746 yards passing in his career.

But Kaepernick also has 771 yards rushing so far this season and will likely top 1,000 yards for the third consecutive year. If he exceeds the 2000/1000 mark this year, he will be the only QB in college football history to do so in three consecutive seasons.

He now has 3,677 rushing yards and needs only 323 more to have passed for over 8,000 and rushed for over 4,000 yards in a career.  He will be only the second player in NCAA history to be in that club, and he has a good chance of being the only player in history to pass for over 9,000 yards and rush for over 4,000.

Mostly unnoticed, Nevada's Colin Kaepernick is laying claim to these three all-time NCAA records, putting him in a league by himself as arguably the greatest dual-threat QB in college football history.

Nevada next faces Idaho and Fresno State on the road, before taking on New Mexico State at home, followed closely by the big game against Boise State in Reno on November 26.