Wolf Pack QB can give UNLV the runaround

Though linebacker Starr Fuimaono and quarterback Colin Kaepernick were on the same recruiting trip to UNR in 2006, their situations were vastly different.

Fuimaono had choices. He also was being courted by UNLV, Brigham Young and Washington, and finally signed with the Rebels. Now he's one of their defensive leaders.

For Kaepernick, signing day was barely two weeks away and he had yet to receive any scholarship offers. Soon after, the only school that wanted him badly enough to offer a scholarship did so, and it's a gamble that has paid off handsomely for the Wolf Pack.

The Rebels don't need to be reminded. Last year they were beaten almost single-handedly by Kaepernick, who rushed for 240 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 176 yards and two scores in a 49-27 victory at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Perhaps the Rebels (2-2) will be better able to contain Kaepernick when they play UNR (0-3) in Reno at 1 p.m. Saturday. Prior to this season, UNLV tried to strengthen its defense on the edges by moving tackle Malo Taumua and linebacker Jason Beauchamp to end.

Coach Mike Sanford said, however, the real problem in last year's game was failing to stick to the defensive philosophy.

"The biggest problem we had stopping (Kaepernick) was he was running option football, and to me that isn't exclusively the ends," Sanford said. "I think that is overall assignment football.

"We used a special defensive scheme last year, and it was too different from our normal defensive scheme, and we did not play it well."

Fuimaono missed last year's game while nursing a knee injury. The Rebels' leading tackler with 37, Fuimaono said UNLV has to keep Kaepernick "contained and make him throw the ball."

But passing isn't necessarily a weakness for Kaepernick, a 6-foot-6-inch, 215-pound junior. Last season he threw for 2,849 yards and 22 touchdowns and ran for 1,130 yards and 17 scores.

"It's definitely not something I expected, coming to college and being a running quarterback, but I'm going to do anything I can to help the team," Kaepernick said.

His running will be even more vital because Wolf Pack tailback Vai Taua is doubtful because of an elbow injury. Taua rushed for 209 yards in UNR's first two games.

Luke Lippincott will be the feature back. He rushed for 1,420 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2007, but missed most of last season with a knee injury. He showed he's back by gaining 114 yards against Missouri.

"I don't think a defense can single me out," Kaepernick said. "We have too many players to make plays for us."

But Kaepernick has had an uneven start this season. In losses at Notre Dame and Colorado State, he threw four interceptions and rushed for only 63 yards. At home against Missouri, he played mistake free with 146 yards passing and 59 rushing while totaling two touchdowns.

"He did a lot of things in terms of controlling the game, a lot of plays we have to get to audible-wise," UNR coach Chris Ault said. "He played his best game to date."

Ault has been a big believer in Kaepernick since he participated in the coach's camp.

Other schools worried that Kaepernick might choose baseball, and he apparently is still a prospect. The Chicago Cubs drafted him in the 43rd round this year.

Also, playing a wing-T offense in high school made it difficult for schools to properly evaluate Kaepernick.

"He threw the ball like a baseball pitcher, but he had a gun on him," Ault said. "He's a really good athlete. Regardless, we were going to offer him a scholarship. If he didn't play for us as quarterback, he would be a starting free safety."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.