Lippencott has strong debut

FRESNO - Luke Lippincott has always wanted to play running back.

He got his first chance in a regular-season game, and played well in Nevada's 28-19 loss to Fresno State Friday night at Bulldog Stadium.

Lippincott carried seven times for 32 yards and his first college TD, a 1-yard run in the fourth quarter.

"Luke did a nice job," Nevada coach Chris Ault said.

Lippincott entered the game in the third quarter when Robert Hubbard was shaken up after a 7-yard gain. He carried twice for 5 yards and caught a 2-yard screen pass.

"He (Hubbard) signaled me in," Lippincott said. "I just tried to run hard and hold on to the ball. "

He played on Nevada's next possession, carrying twice for 6 yards and catching a pass for 5 yards. Nevada scored on that possession to make it 21-12.

Hubbard came back on the next drive briefly, but it was Lippincott that finished up, carrying three times for 21 yards and a score.

GREAT COMEBACK

Dwayne Wright's 158-yard effort was the fifth time he's gone over the 100-yard mark, and his three scores is a career high. The last time a FSU player scored three times was when Wendell Mathis scored three times against Hawai'i last year.

"I hope tonight answers all of the questions on whether Dwayne is healthy or not," FSU coach Pat Hill said. "He's healthy, period. He ran very hard and was a load to bring down. I'm very happy for him. It's been two years for him to be away from the game."

Wright injured his knee in the second game of the 2003 season against Kansas State.

GOOD DEBUT FOR

BRANDSTATER

Tom Brandstater completed 16 of 24 for 124 yards in his first-ever start for Fresno State.

"I couldn't be happier with Tom's performance," Hill said. "He managed the game very well. He was ready to play."

Brandstater converted 11 of 17 plays on third and fourth down.

"The quarterback did a good job of managing the game which is important for them," Ault said. "When you play Pat Hill, he's going to run the ball at you, and it's up to you to stop it. We didn't do that tonight."

BARCIA PUNTS FOR PACK

Tommy Barcia kicked four times for a 36.8 average in his first action in three years at Nevada.

Only two of the kicks were returned for 11 yards. Barcia's kicks weren't long, but the hang time was decent.

WHERE'S THE RUSH?

Neither team registered much of a pass rush.

Nevada didn't sack Brandstater once, and Fresno State sacked Jeff Rowe once, though the Bulldogs put pressure on the elusive Rowe at various times.

FACTS & FIGURES

Fresno State is now 12-2 in its last 14 openeres, and Pat Hill is 44-8 as a head coach in Bulldog Stadium ... The Bulldogs suited up eight true freshman for the game ... The last time FSU blocked a PAT was Oct.29, 2005, and Garrett McIntyre blocked it ... FSU punter Robert Malone made his first appearance for the Bulldogs, starting with a 52-yard punt. He averaged 39.8 on four kicks... Josh Magua and Ezra Butler led the Pack with eight tackles apiece. Two of Magua's tackles were behind the line of scrimmage.

•Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1281