Making WInners

Future Page of TYF -Making winners in life and on the field,

The Colin Kaepernick, and alumni of the 1997 Vikings (#45) played 69-67 in a shootout that set the record for points in a Division I-A game. Kaepernick was on the losing end, but he still is the Rivals.com National Freshman of the Week for his part in going toe-to-toe with the Broncos in his first career start.

Kaepernick and the Wolf Pack moved the ball almost at will, compiling 639 total yards and seven scoring drives during regulation. Kaepernick passed for the big play and sliced through Boise's defense -- which had been ranked third in the nation -- for sizable runs.

Nevada's Colin Kaepernick put together a banner performance against Boise State.
"When it happens, you don't really realize until after," Kaepernick said. "When you're in the game, you're more worried about moving the ball and getting that first down and winning. Afterward, it's a little surreal."

Kaepernick stepped in for starter Nick Graziano against Fresno State on Oct. 6 when Graziano's season ended with a torn tendon in his right foot. Kaepernick threw four touchdown passes and ran for another score in the 49-41 loss to the Bulldogs, but he'd soon upstage himself.

Kaepernick, a 6-foot-6, 215-pound redshirt freshman from Turlock, Calif., was 11 of 26 for 243 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 177 yards and two scores against Boise State. But he and the Wolf Pack came short of extending the game to a fifth overtime when he was tackled on a two-point conversion attempt.