Dahl leads way up front for Pack offense

RENO - There's one big reason why Nevada has produced a 1,000-yard rusher in each of the last three seasons - Harvey Dahl.

The Wolf Pack's mammoth 6-foot-5, 305-pound tackle has been a devastating force and is considered one of the top players at his position on the West Coast, which is why he is on the watch list for the Outland Trophy and Lombardi awards.

"It's an honor to be noticed," Dahl said of the preseason accolades. "I don't worry about it though. Until it happens, it's not an issue. All I can I can do is go out and have a great season and help the team win.

"I don't feel pressure (because of the preseason stuff). I always have a lot of pressure on me to help us have a winning season. Winning the conference and beating Vegas are what I want."

That's a very unselfish guy talking. He just wants to be part of a successful program and individual accolades take a backseat to that. It's a refreshing attitude. Some athletes say it, but when those words come out of Dahl's mouth, you really believe it.

Dahl has been a hit ever since he came to Nevada as a 240-pound tackle from Fallon. He's worked extremely hard at gaining weight and getting stronger, and the proof is on the field.

As a true freshman in 2001, Dahl started the last four games at tackle, helping teammate Chance Kretschmer win the NCAA rushing title (157.5 yards per game). Dahl started seven games at right tackle the following year and graded out as one of the top blockers on the squad.

Dahl came into his own last year. He blocked well enough to help Kretschmer rack up five games of 100 yards or more, including a 170-yard effort against Southern Utah in a 24-23 win, and a 171-yard effort in a 28-21 upset of Tulsa.

"His attitude makes him the player he is," Kretschmer said. "He goes all out every play and every game. If they give me the ball and I'm supposed to go behind him, we'll get the job done."

And, he hopes to be just as productive this season in Chris Ault's Air Wolf offense which uses the pass to set up the run. Chris Klenakis, an Ault protégé, will be Dahl's new line coach.

Dahl is happy to be working with Klenakis, another product of Fallon.

"He's an intense guy," Dahl said. "He gets after you. It's a good thing. He's not going to let you slide on something. You're going to stay out there until you get it right.

"He's seen a lot of offensive tackles. He knows what it takes. He's going to make me the best player I can possibly be."

While the NFL draft is several months away, you can't blame Dahl for not letting his attention wander just a bit.

"My strength is pretty good," he said. "My quickness and footwork are the things I need to work on the most. I know Coach Klenakis will be on me all the time about it."

Not that Dahl needs much of a push.

The Dahl File

Position: Offensive Tackle

Height: 6-5

Weight: 305

High school: Churchill County, Fallon

Notable: On the watch list for the Lombardi Award. His best two games last year may have been against Southern Utah and Tulsa where he helped spring tailback Chance Kretschmer for more than 170 yards in each of those games.