Last two games of season critical for Wolf Pack

RENO " The mood of Nevada's football team has been a bit somber this week.

Nevada players know they let a huge opportunity slip away when they lost 28-26 to Hawaii on Friday, and have really put themselves behind the proverbial 8-ball with two games left in the season.

The good news, however, is that Nevada still has a shot at a bowl game. If Nevada (5-5, 3-3) can win at San Jose State (4-7, 3-4) on Saturday and also beat Louisiana Tech (5-6, 4-3) at home on Dec. 1, the Pack would finish in fourth place and advance to a bowl game should Hawaii or Boise State qualify for a BCS game.

"It's tough," Nevada coach Chris Ault said. "We have to (bounce back). It's early right now. The most important thing is preparing for San Jose State (and not worrying about being bowl eligible)."

Quarterback Colin Kaepernick agreed.

"It's hard losing a game like that," he said. "We have to get re-focused for San Jose State. It's frustrating to lose like that."

Dominic Green, the center and leader of the offensive line, said some of the blame has to go to the offense for its failure to convert on the final couple of drives in the fourth quarter.

"It's third-and-1 and we get stopped," Green said. "We were only getting one or two yards on first down. That comes down to the offensive line.

"We should have won. We had our chances. You have to make your own destiny."

And, Green shrugged off talk about the Davone Bess fumble in the fourth quarter where the receiver was ruled down on contact, meaning Nevada couldn't challenge the play. Hawaii went on to score a TD on the drive for a 25-19 lead.

And, he isn't even thinking about a bowl game, either.

"We have to go out there and win these last two for ourselves," Green said. "We have enough on our plate right now."

For more on Wolf Pack football see Wednesday's Nevada Appeal.