Getting down to crunch time with postseason hopes on the line.
Nevada fans could certainly get used to the Kaepernick to McCoy connection if it continues to lead to more wins.
Two weeks after McCoy caught a touchdown pass from Kaepernick late in the fourth to beat Utah St., the heroics were repeated on Friday night, as Kaepernick found McCoy for a 31-yard touchdown with a minute left to lead Nevada to a 40-38 victory at New Mexico St.
Nevada’s third straight victory puts them over .500 both overall and in conference play (5-4, 3-2) and keeps the Wolf Pack alone in fourth place in the WAC and more importantly, in the hunt for a bowl berth.
Kaepernick was 15 of 28 for 237 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 136 yards and two more touchdowns on 11 carries. The interception was only his second of the season, and his first since taking over under center for Nick Graziano in the Fresno St. game. In that time, he has thrown for 1,237 yards and 13 touchdowns and run for 440 yards and five touchdowns.
And, after losses to Fresno St. and Boise St., the four-overtime thriller that put the redshirt freshman on the map, the Wolf Pack have won three in a row, two with late comebacks.
McCoy hasn’t always had a ton of chances this season, but when he’s needed to make a big catch, he has, and along with Marko Mitchell, form a reliable duo for the young QB.
And, if that offense continues to click like it has (Luke Lippincott went over 1,000 yards and took over the WAC rushing lead with a 143-yard performance against the Aggies), a bowl game is certainly within Nevada’s reach - especially if Hawaii or Boise St. ends up in the BCS, or if they can surpass the Bulldogs (6-3, 5-1) for third, which would guarantee a bowl berth.
Speaking of Boise St. and Hawaii, Boise is doing their part to set up a potential WAC title/BCS berth clash, as the Broncos easily disposed of San Jose St. on Saturday by a count of 42-7. Taylor Tharp threw for 258 yards and three touchdowns, and Ian Johnson, in his return from a bruised kidney, had only 33 yards on 12 carries, but scored two touchdowns.
This weekend, Boise St. visits in-state ‘rival’ Idaho, while Hawaii has a markedly tougher game, hosting Fresno St. In the newest BCS standings, Hawaii dropped two spots to 16th, while Boise St. moved up to 20th.
At this point, Boise St.’s road to the BCS is a lot easier than Hawaii’s, as the Broncos have Idaho, then host winless Utah St., before their trip to the island. As for Hawaii, they have the game against the Bulldogs, a trip to Reno, and then the visit from the Broncos, before finishing out with Washington.
It will definitely be interesting to see how it plays out, but, if either one wins out, a BCS bowl should be in the cards. Hawaii is currently 10th in the Harris poll and 12th in the coaches’ poll, and if they win out, they will move up at least a few spots, since some of the teams above them will take each other out, and finally beating some tough opponents will resonate well with the polls.
As for the Broncos, winning their next two, then picking up a road win over what should be a top-ten team (if they remain unbeaten), plus the movement above them, would likely be enough to get the Broncos into another BCS bowl - likely the Sugar Bowl, as it looks right now.
November 12th, 2007 at 3:08 am
[...] repdose hammered out a great article on HawaiiHere’s the brief overview of the storySpeaking of Boise St. and Hawaii, Boise is doing their part to set up a potential WAC title/BCS berth clash, as the Broncos easily disposed of San Jose St. on Saturday by a count of 42-7. Taylor Tharp threw for 258 yards and three … [...]