INSIDE SLANT

Everyone around the WAC is pointing to Nevada’s de facto conference title game showdown with Boise State on Nov. 27. But the Wolf Pack, winners of seven straight, have a good incentive not to look past this week’s opponent—New Mexico State.

New Mexico State upset Nevada 48-45 in Reno last season, giving the Aggies their first—and only—road win in WAC play since joining the league in 2005. Coach Chris Ault said the team barely celebrated its big victory against Fresno State before turning its attention to New Mexico State.

They better not look past it. We’re not that good. We have to focus on what we’re trying to do, how we’re trying to get things done and take care of business,” Ault said.

Nevada, which has won seven straight since beginning the season with three consecutive losses, has put itself in position for its first outright WAC title since joining the league in 2000. The Wolf Pack tied with Boise State in 2005.

Nevada is finally getting noticed for its hot play. The Wolf Pack is receiving votes in the coaches and Associated Press polls.

“We’re not even thinking about Boise at all. We’ve got New Mexico State to handle this week,” safety Jonathon Amaya told the Reno Gazette Journal.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Nevada set a school record with 40 rushing touchdowns in 10 games. The Wolf Pack set the record last year with 39 in 13 games last season.

• Nevada should set a school record for rushing yards in a season against New Mexico State. The Wolf Pack has rushed for 3,531 yards in 10 games this season. The school record is 3,611 yards in 13 games last year.

Series History:   Nevada leads 10-2 (last meeting, 2008, 48-45, New Mexico State)

Scouting The Offense:   Nevada ranks No. 1 in the nation in rushing offense at 353 yards per game, more than 35 yards per game ahead of No. 2 Georgia Tech. Nevada is averaging 7.5 yards per carry. The Wolf Pack is No. 2 in the country in total offense, despite a passing attack that ranks 106th. That’s how dominant the running game has been, behind QB Colin Kaepernick and running backs Vai Taua and Luke Lippincott. …

The Wolf Pack could set an NCAA record with three 1,000-yard rushers in the same season. No team has ever done that. Kaepernick (1,015) and Taua (1,059) have already eclipsed that mark. Lippincott (866) is closing in on it.

Scouting The Defense:   Nevada ranks near the bottom of the NCAA at 117th in pass efficiency defense. The Wolf Pack has allowed nine touchdowns of 50 yards or more this season, including a 57-yard passing touchdown to Fresno State last week. Nevada has allowed at least one touchdown of 32 yards or more in every game this season.

Nevada may have turned a corner defensively against Fresno State. The Wolf Pack has allowed just 21 points in the last two weeks, seven against San Jose State and 14 against Fresno State.

Nevada started the season minus-11 in turnover margin in the first five games. In the last five games, Nevada is plus 9 in that category.

Quote To Note:   “It’s definitely motivation for us. Ask anyone on the team, they don’t want a repeat of last year, especially where we’re at and where we’re headed right now.”—Quarterback Colin Kaepernick told the Reno Gazette-Journal about the Wolf Pack’s loss to New Mexico State last season.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Nevada at New Mexico State, Nov. 21—The Aggies stunned Nevada last year in Reno. It is New Mexico State’s only WAC road victory since joining the conference in 2005. And it still stings the Wolf Pack, who has won seven straight. That game is serving a critical purpose this week. Instead of looking ahead to the Nov. 27 showdown with Boise State, Nevada is focused on taking down New Mexico State.

Keys To The Game:   Nevada’s offense is cruising right now, averaging 427.3 rushing yards per game during its seven-game winning streak. Nevada has scored 50 or more points in four of its last seven games. As long as the Wolf Pack doesn’t look past New Mexico State, it should have no trouble.

Players To Watch:  

QB Colin Kaepernick is now 15th in NCAA history for rushing yards by a quarterback. Kaepernick has 2,738 yards rushing in 34 games. He has scored 37 rushing touchdowns. Pat White of West Virginia is No. 1 on the list with 4,480 rushing yards.

RB Vai Taua rushed for 179 yards against Fresno State, marking his sixth consecutive game with 100 yards or more and his seventh of the season. Taua has 15 career 100-yard games in his career.

S Jonathon Amaya was named WAC Defensive Player of the Week for his effort against Fresno State. Amaya had a team-high eight tackles and forced a fumble in the win. Amaya leads the Wolf Pack with 67 tackles this season. He also has a team-high six pass break-ups.

Roster Report:  

• S Cameron Bayne (shoulder) did not play against Fresno State.

• S Mo Harvey returned to the starting lineup against Fresno State.

• S Jonathon Amaya has started 27 consecutive games for Nevada.