Ten things to watch when the Nevada Wolf Pack (9-1, 4-1) takes on the New Mexico State Aggies (2-8, 1-5) at Mackay Stadium on Saturday (1:05 p.m.) . . .
1. The Wolf Pack could make history
The next Wolf Pack victory will be the 500th in the 104-year history of the program. You probably missed the first one, back in 1898 against the Stewart Indian School. So here's your chance to see history. Chris Ault was also the head coach for victories No. 300 (in 1983) and No. 400 (in 1995). And, no, he wasn't the coach for No.1 against Stewart Indian School. A victory on Saturday will also mark the first time the Wolf Pack has reached the 10-victory plateau in a season since becoming a Division I-A school.
2. Colin Kaepernick could make history
Kaepernick's next touchdown pass will give him the Wolf Pack record for career TD passes. He is currently tied with Eric Beavers at No. 1 with 78. Kaepernick set the school record for rushing touchdowns a week ago (he now has 54) with two against Fresno State. The senior also needs just 51 yards to reach 1,000 rushing yards this season. When that happens (On his first carry? Second?), he will become the first quarterback in NCAA history to rush for 1,000 yards and pass for 2,000 yards in the same season for three seasons in a row. He will also become the first quarterback in NCAA history to simply rush for 1,000 yards in three consecutive season.
3. Kaepernick and Vai Taua could make history
Kaepernick and Pack running back Vai Taua could become the NCAA's all-time leader in career rushing yards by two teammates. The record is currently held by SMU's Eric Dickerson and Craig James at 8,193 yards combined. Kaepernick and Taua currently have 7,963 yards. They could have the record by halftime.
4. The scoreboard could simply explode
The Wolf Pack averages 43 points a game this season, fourth in the nation. The Pack has scored 40 or more points in 10 of its last 11 games against New Mexico State. They dumped 63 on the Aggies a year ago in Las Cruces. The Wolf Pack has also scored in 14 consecutive quarters and 37-of-40 overall this season. The Aggies allow an average of 36 points and 434 yards a game. Both those numbers will likely go up by Saturday night.
5. Ault will likely empty the sideline
You might see every single active Wolf Pack player on the sideline take the field in this game. With Boise State coming to Mackay Stadium just six days later, it makes no sense for the regulars to play past the middle of the third quarter if this game goes as expected (the Pack is nearly a 40-point favorite). Boise State, for example, took starting quarterback Kellen Moore out of its 59-0 victory over New Mexico State this year after one drive in the third quarter, leading 45-0. Next week is the most important week of this season for the Pack. It's also a short practice week with a holiday thrown in to complicate matters. It is not the time to nurse nagging injuries.
6. Wolf Pack could return a punt or kickoff for a touchdown
The Wolf Pack return teams are in a long dry spell, second only to the Rice Owls. The Pack has gone 116 games without a punt return for a touchdown and 147 since they returned a kickoff for a score. The only Division I-A school in a longer slump in both categories is Rice, which has gone 150 games without a punt return TD and 291 without a kickoff return TD. This game, though, could end the slump. First of all, New Mexico State punts an average of seven times a game, giving Pack punt returner Rishard Mathews plenty of opportunities. Mike Ball (26.5 yards per kickoff return) will likely only get a couple opportunities, (the Aggies average just 16 points a game) but New Mexico State has already allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown this year (96 yards by Kansas' D.J. Beshears).
7. Wolf Pack defense could get a healthy dose of confidence
New Mexico State, to put it politely, struggles on offense. The Aggies are 108th in the nation in total offense (304 yards a game) and 116th in scoring (15.8 points a game). They convert just 30% of their third down plays (112th in the nation) and they've scored just 15 touchdowns all season on offense (six rushing, nine passing). Are you wondering when was the last time the Wolf Pack defense had a shutout? You should. The Pack blanked Louisiana Tech late in the 2006 season.
8. Wolf Pack won't overlook New Mexico State
New Mexico State won't be able to sneak up on the Pack. First of all, the last time the Aggies came to Mackay they went home with an improbable 48-45 victory that still makes Ault twitch a little. That loss just might be the most embarrassing for the Pack in the Kaepernick era (the Aggies have gone 5-25 since that game in 2008). And, second of all, this is the Pack's final chance at home this season to have some fun before things get real serious against Boise State next week. A loss to the Aggies would ruin the season.
9. It will be Turn Back the Clock Day at Mackay
Guess what, Pack fans. The Wolf Pack is actually going to play a day game at Mackay Stadium. Can you believe it? Not even the we'll-do-anything-for-a-buck WAC could find a cable channel willing to televise this game and send the opening kickoff into the cold night air. Outstanding. Cable TV's loss is our gain. It will be the first and only day game at Mackay this season. It will be like old times, you know, before lights and an ESPN contract turned the Wolf Pack into a reality TV show. Most Wolf Pack fans cut their college football teeth going to afternoon games at Mackay Stadium, feasting at morning tailgate parties and heading to their favorite night spot after the game to savor another Pack victory. It's tradition. It needs to happen more than once a year.
10. Expect the Pack to keep it simple against Aggies
If this was the final game of the season, you could expect Ault and the Pack to have a little fun with it. Kaepernick at wide receiver. Dontay Moch at running back. Duke Williams at quarterback. Ault up in the press box. Anthony Martinez at running back. Vai Taua running the Wildcat offense. James-Michael Johnson at tight end. OK, maybe not that much fun. But something a bit more entertaining than, say, the usual assortment of 20 Taua dives up the middle, 10 Kaepernick runs around the corner and 20 passes to the sideline. But this isn't the last game. And the last thing Ault wants to do is to put anything significant on the game film for Boise State to scout.
