Terrapins shell too tough for Wolf Pack

BY MARY ALBL AND KIRK BELL

Arbiter Sports Staff

The Nevada’s third-ranked rushing defense was not enough to stop the ground attack of Maryland at the Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl Tuesday night in Boise, Idaho. The Wolf Pack lost 42-35 to the Terrapin’s.

Nevada allowed 258 rushing yards, 174 of which came from Maryland’s sophomore sensation tailback Da’Rel Scott who did not play during the first half.

Scott averaged 12.4 yards per carry setting a new Humanitarian Bowl record. Scott was voted Maryland’s Most Valuable Player.

“I guess I felt as though I had to run with a purpose,” Scott said.

Scott, along with six other Tarrapin players, were suspended for a portion of the game due to curfew violations in the days leading up to the Humanitarian Bowl.

Scott scored his first touchdown off a 49 yard rush 12:21 left in the fourth quarter. His second came on with Maryland’s next drive, putting together a 66-yard rushing attack ending in a Scott touchdown and a 42-28 Tarrapin lead.

“Our defense did what it has done all year,” Nevada head coach Chris Ault said. “Give up big plays.”

The Wolf Pack’s star sophomore quarterback Colin Kaepernick was held to just 1.7 yards per carry on nine attempts. Pressure forced him to pass 47 times, completing 24 for 370 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. He also had one on the ground that brought Nevada within a touchdown in the closing minutes of the game. Kaepernick was named the Wolf Pack’s MVP.

The Roady’s Humanitarian Bowl was the last Western Athletic Conference match-up of the 2008-09 bowl season. The WAC went 1-4 in bowl games. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs were the only conference representative to emerge victorious with their defeat of Northern Illinois University 17-10 in the Independence Bowl.

“You take care of your own backyard.You want the conference to win,” Ault said. “We’re the last WAC team to play and that’s tough."

Mary Albl and Kirk Bell

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