Wolf Pack fans enjoy the atmosphere, not game

RENO - Veteran KBOI Radio sportscaster Paul J. Schneider said he will remember three football games as crucial battles between his beloved Boise State Broncos and the Wolf Pack.

First and foremost, Saturday's game between the two Western Athletic Conference foes ranks at the top of his list because of the national and bowl implications for both teams. Boise came into Mackay Stadium ranked No. 12 in the BCS poll. A win would strengthen Boise's bid to play in a major BCS game like the Fiesta Bowl.

The veteran Boise broadcaster, who has called the play-by-play action of BSU sports since 1973, said the series between the two schools has developed into one of the best rivalries in the WAC.

"For this to be a big rivalry, both teams have to be good," he said.

With Nevada's emergence during the past two years as a top-tier team in the WAC, Schneider said he envisions a good series between the two teams for years to come.

"A lot of people show up (for these games)," he said, adding that 7,500 Boise fans traveled to Reno for the season's final league game. "We love the game being the last one of the year. It's better to play late."

Schneider said the 1987 game holds just as much importance from a personal point of view. He and his wife married in Reno on the eve of a Boise State-Nevada game.

"We got married at the old MGM Grand," he said.

Schneider, though, is quick to point out that Boise won the football game.

Schneider called the action for the triple overtime game in 1990. Nevada pulled out a 59-52 victory in the 1-AA playoff game at Mackay Stadium and earned a trip to the national championship game against Georgia Southern.

As for this year's game, good weather and a college football atmosphere greeted the 25,504 fans to Saturday's 33rd encounter between the two teams, which was played on a picturesque autumn afternoon.

Angela Skibins grew up in Gardnerville. Now a Reno resident, Skibins said she enjoyed the game except for the score.

"This is awesome. It's great they sold out," Skibins said from her seat in the south end zone.

Her husband, Gary, concurred.

"This has been a big time game for a big time program," he said.

Michael Kalleras of Carson City was disappointed with the game's outcome. He said the Wolf Pack fans needed to root more in the second half to spur on Nevada's offense.

Season-ticket holder Rick Taylor has been an ardent supporter for the past 10 years.

"Minus the UNLV game, this is the fullest as I have seen it (Mackay Stadium)," said the former Fernley resident now living in Reno.

Saturday's turnstile attendance was the 10th largest in Wolf Pack history.

Taylor said he considers the Boise-Nevada rivalry a friendly one, not like the hatred and intensity generated by UNLV.

"I love to see the Boise fans down here. We were tailgating next to each other before the game and exchanging food," he said.

Taylor said he also liked seeing the stadium packed.

"It was nice to see a lot of people here today," Taylor said.