Kaepernick will face old high school foe on Saturday

Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick will see a familiar face when New Mexico State comes to town this weekend.

Marquell Colston, a junior from Modesto's Grace Davis High School and Modesto Junior College, is a starting running back for the Aggies.

"I had a chance to play my senior year in high school (against him)," Colston said Monday during a teleconference. "I love watching Kaepernick."

Did he run much in high school?

"I don't remember him running," Colston said. "He also had (Anthony) Harding from Fresno State at running back. They were balanced."

Colston has emerged as the Aggies' top running back. He is coming off a 127-yard effort in a 45-10 win over Alcorn State. He scored on runs of 57 and 21 yards, respectively.

"He ran all over us in high school," said Kaepernick.

Even New Mexico State quarterback Chase Holbrook appreciates Kaepernick.

"I like watchimg him," Holbrook said. "He runs around pretty good. He is fun to watch. I'm on the sideline and I'm supposed to be studying keys, and I'll look up and catch a little bit."

Opposing coaches around the WAC appreciate Kaepernick's talents. Obviously they would rather watch it from afar than have to gane plan for it. A running quarterback presents a whole different set of problems for a defense.

PACK CLEANING UP SPECIAL TEAMS

Nevada coach Chris Ault was unhappy with his kick-off coverage units on Saturday against Idaho.

Idaho's Kama Bailey returned seven kicks for 243 yards, and Nevada punt returner Dwayne Sanders fumbled twice.

"We're going to work on that this week," Ault said.

Translation? It could mean that somebody besides Sanders may be returning punts this week against New Mexico State.

Barry Sacks, Nevada's special teams coordinator, said that same guys that had covered kicks well to this point, were guilty of some mised tackles against the Vandals.

Nevada did recover three onside kick attempts by Idaho. The Vandals had gone into the game a perfect 3-for-3.

MATHEWS' STATUS UNCERTAIN

Fresno State playd without Ryan Mathews in its loss to Hawaii, but coach Pat Hill is hopeful he'll return for this week's game at home against Idaho.

Hill said Mathews took a hit to the back of his knee. Hill said the swelling caused numbness.

"We'll keep him out until he's 100 percent," Hill said.

Hill can afford to be careful with Anthony Harding and Lonyae Miller in the rotation. Both rushed for more than 100 yards against Hawaii last weekend.

JUROVICH OUT

San Jose State coiach Dick Tomey said he doesn't expect wide receiver Kevin Jurovich, who caught 85 passes last year, to return to action this year.

Tomey told writers last week that Jurovich had mono. Yesterday, he talked abyt Jurovich having an enlarged spleen, which is very dangerous.

"It's very possible he won't play," he said.

Tomey said the school would apply for a medical redshirt year if Jurovich is unable to return.

WAC HONORS TRIO

Boise State's Kellen Moore and Hawaii teammates Keao Monteilh and Dan Kelly have been named the offense, defense and special teams players of the week.

Moore, a redshirt freshman, went 20-for-28 passing for 325 yards and two scores in the Broncos' 38-3 win over Louisiana Tech. He competed passes to 11 different receivers.

Petersen talked about Moore's progress and how he compared to past BSU quarterbacks since Petersen began coaching at Boise State.

"He's doing what we hoped he'd do," BSU coach Chris Petersen said. "You never know until you put them in a game. Practice is so much different.

"He's very efficient. he 's much different than Jared (Zabransky). Jared was a runner; an athlete. We tried to play to his strengths. Kellen is more of a passer."

Monteilh recorded seven tackles and two interceptions in the Warriors' 32-29 win. His first interception led to q field goal and a 19-3 lead. His second interception came right before the half and preserved a 19-9 lead.

Kelly kicked a career-best four field goals in the upset win over the Bulldogs. The field goals were from 36, 30, 41 and 33 yards, respectively. He scored 14 of Hawaii's 32 points.