Brothers on opposite sides

RENO - The UNLV-Nevada game is truly a family affair for the Jaekles.

Brett is Nevada's place-kicker, and his younger brother, Ben, is a reserve place-kicker for the Rebels.

The elder Jaekle played a big role in Nevada's 27-20 win, kicking field goals of 30 and a career-best 50 yards, and converting all three of his PAT attempts to help the Pack even its record at 2-2.

The 50-yarder was the longest of his career, and the longest by a Nevada kicker since Damon Fine booted a 53-yarder against Southern Utah back on Aug. 30, 2003.

Jaekle has now made nine of his last 10 attempts dating back to the 2006 season. His only miss was a 42-yard attempt at Northwestern.

He and Ben exchanged a few words as the teams left the field at halftime.

"He asked me what was going on with my kickoffs," said Brett Jaekle. "He told me I'd be all right."

Jaekle booted his first two kicks out of bounds, giving the Rebels great field position at the 35. UNLV converted the first into a field goal, but couldn't put up any points on the second errant kick.

After the game, Brett Jaekle was bemoaning the fact that he couldn't get enough tickets so that his whole family could sit on the Nevada side. He said he had about 15 or 16 family members there, and some had to sit on the UNLV side.

GREAT ATMOSPHERE

The players and Ault commented on the atmosphere around the stadium.

"It was electric," Ault said. "We felt it coming into the stadium. The students really help energize the crowd."

Quarterback Nick Graziano agreed.

"The fans played a great part," he said. "They had a good role in the game for us."

THE REAL MCCOY

The 90-yard TD pass play between Graziano and Mike McCoy late in the first quarter marked the career long for each player.

It was Nevada's longest play from scrimmage since a 95-yard pass play for a touchdown between Zack Threadgill and Nate Burleson against BYU on Sept. 14, 2002.

AMAYA. KING INJURED

Starting cornerback Jon Amaya sprained his knee in the first half, and didn't return to the game. He was replaced by Devon Walker.

"It doesn't look that serious," Nevada coach Chris Ault said. "He's probable right now."

The news wasn't so good for receiver Arthur King, who appeared to have suffered a shoulder separation. He isn't expected to play next week against Fresno State, according to Ault.

A NEW TACKLE

Redshirt freshman Mike Gallett started in place of John Bender at offensive tackle.

Ault said the move was made because Gallet has been playing better in practice.

WELCOME BACK

Ezra Butler (quadriceps) and Dominic Green (broken foot) returned to the starting lineup.

"I think Butler played well," Ault said. "Dominic did OK. It was his (Green's) first game this year. He played both guard and center."

Butler finished with a team-high 10 tackles, including 2 1/2 behind the line.

"I definitely feel like this was my first game," said Butler, who was suspended for one game and missed one with an injury. "I think I played well, but you can always play better."

Senior nose tackle Matt Hines said Butler's return really helps the defense.

"He gives us emotion out there," Hines said. "He comes out there playing hard, and people feed off him. It's definitely a plus having Ezra out there."

TRIBUTE TO IRELAND

The Mackay Stadium crowd paid a pre-game tribute to Bill Ireland, who passed away earlier this year.

Ireland, a 1952 graduate of Nevada, later coached the UNLV Rebels and was the school's athletic director. He was the main man behind starting the tradition with the Fremont Cannon.

STATS & FACTS

Nevada wore special silver jerseys for the game ... Nevada has now won three straight games in the series with UNLV and holds an 18-15 advantage in the series. This is Nevada's longest win streak in the rivalry since winning five straight straight from 1995-1999...Ault is now 10-7 as a head coach against UNLV, and he has yet to lose a home game to the Rebels ...The interception by Mike Samples in the first half was the first of his career... Dwayne Sanders hit the 100-yard mark in return yards, the first Nevada player to do so since D'Angelo Wilson last year against Louisiana Tech...Nevada won the coin toss and deferred to the second half. UNLV received the opening kickoff and Nevada defended the North goal...The cumulative score in the rivalry is now Nevada 858, UNLV 691... Erics Clark contracted pneumonia this week and missed the game. His status is unknown...Nevada has never been shut out as a member of Football Bowl Subdivision (Division I-A) and has not been shut out since Sept. 27, 1980, a streak of 321 games that is the longest in the nation.

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