Nevada @ Hawaii preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 31, 2009 ) Hawaii 21, Nevada 31

In order for No. 21 Nevada to build on its best start since it became a Division I football program, the Wolf Pack will have to beat a Hawaii team that has long been its chief spoiler.

The Warriors will be looking to build on momentum of their own when the two teams meet in an important Western Athletic Conference football game Saturday night.

Nevada has used one of the nation’s most explosive offensive attacks to start the season with six straight wins, the school’s best start since it went 12-0 in 1991, its last year as a Division I-AA program.

Although Nevada defeated Hawaii 31-21 last year in Reno, the Wolf Pack has lost six straight when it leaves the mainland to face the Warriors. Hawaii (4-2) has won three straight since a 31-13 loss at Colorado, and is coming off an impressive 49-27 road win over Fresno State.

The Wolf Pack defeated downtrodden San Jose State 35-13 in its homecoming game last Saturday. Its offense piled up a season-high 640 yards led by senior dual-threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who threw 273 yards on 20-of-27 attempts against San Jose State. He also rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Senior running back Vai Taua continues to emerge as a potent threat. He has 837 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the season, picking up 196 yards and three scores last week. His 22 career 100-plus yard games are the most of any active college player.

Taua has been effective against Hawaii, rushing for 287 yards in two previous games against the Warriors.

A shootout in this game likely will catch no one by surprise. Nevada ranks second nationally in total offense with 545.3 yards per game and is No. 7 in scoring at 43 per game. Its unheralded defense ranks No. 31 in the country, allowing 18.8 points per game.

Led by quarterback Bryant Moniz, the Warriors lead the nation in passing with 421.7 yards per game. Moniz has thrown for 2,245 yards and 18 touchdowns against just four interceptions for the Warriors, who have won their last three games by a combined score of 156-55. Hawaii ranks No. 11 nationally in scoring at 39.3 points per game.