Texas Tech next up for Nevada

Nevada, fresh off its season-opening 49-13 thumping of Division 1-AA Grambling State, started preparation on Monday for its battle against No. 12 Texas Tech Saturday night.

Texas Tech is the second-highest ranked team to play at Mackay Stadium. Boise State was ranked 10th on one of its recent visits to Mackay Stadium, according to the Nevada sports information office.

The Red Raiders, also 1-0, slammed Eastern Washington 49-24 in their opener last weekend.

Nevada coach Chris Ault said there is a huge difference in caliber between Texas Tech and Grambling State.

"You can't even compare," Ault said. "There is not even one Grambling player that could play for Tech."

Tech's offense is led by 2007 Sammy Baugh winner Graham Harrell, a third-year starter at quarterback, and wide receiver Michael Crabtree, who won the 2007 Biletnikoff Award.

"They (Tech) are the best offense to come to Nevada in recent memory," Ault said. "They have the No. 1 offense. He (Harrell) is poised.He's done a great job. Part of it is the system. It's really a fun offense."

As long as you aren't trying to stop it. With four or five receivers out on every play, the young Nevada secondary will get a workout.

Much of Nevada's success will hinge on how much pressure the front seven can put on Harrell and disrupt the timing of Harrell & Co.

"It's a combination of both (heavy pass rush and using more than four defensive backs)," safety Jon Amaya said. "We need a good pass rush and we have to play great technique in the secondary."

It will be like playing Hawaii or New Mexico State, which means Nevada must limit the yards after catch (YAC), and keep the receivers in front of them.

Avenahonored

Christa Avena was named the Western Athletic Conference's women's Cross Country Athlete of the Week.

Avena, a senior from Bishop Gorman High in Las Vegas, placed second overall at the 4K Nevada Twilight Cross Country Classic last Friday at Rancho San Rafael Park.

Avena clocked a 16:05, as Nevada placed five runners in the top seven en route to the team title.

HarringtonPOW

Nevada sophomore outside hitter Kylie Harrington was named to the Shamrock Invitational All-Tournament team .

Harrington led Nevada to a 1-2 record in the season-opening tournament at Notre Dame.

It is the first time that the Nevada star has been named to an all-tournament team in her career.

She averaged 2.90 kills, 2.80 digs and 3.25 points in the three matches.

In the final two matches. she posted back-to-back double-doubles with 14 kills and 10 digs versus Notre Dame then followed that with 10 kills and 14 digs in the IPFW win.

The 14 digs versus IPFW established a new career high while the 14 kills in the Notre Dame loss tied her career high.