One sophomore was expected to be a big producer in Nevada's pistol offense this season.

The other, not so much.

But Wolf Pack quarterback Colin Kaepernick and running back Vai Taua have combined to power a Nevada attack that comes to town this weekend sporting some of the nation's gaudiest numbers.

Nevada enters Saturday's Western Athletic Conference game with Hawaii at Aloha Stadium second in the country in rushing and sixth in total offense.

But Nevada head coach Chris Ault isn't letting the Pack get too wrapped up with stats the pistol's produced.

“;We're a good offense, but we've still got a ways to go,”; the Hall of Fame coach cautioned. “;We still make some fundamental mistakes that we need to correct.”;

Even with Luke Lippincott, last year's WAC rushing champion, out with a season-ending knee injury, the Wolf Pack offense hasn't broken stride in running to the top of the WAC and national rankings.

At 305.3 rushing yards per game, the Wolf Pack are on pace to break the school's single-season record of 3,096 yards set in 1978.

With Kaepernick at the controls, and Taua more than filling in for Lippincott, the Pack has kept statisticians busy in racking up better than 519 yards and 38 points per contest.

“;What (the pistol) does is it's a two-back offense because the quarterback's just as talented as a runner as any backs we've faced, maybe more so,”; Hawaii coach Greg McMackin said.

Kaepernick, the WAC Freshman of the Year last season, has lived up to his reputation as a runner in picking up 613 yards and 11 touchdowns.

But it's his development as a passer that's impressed the Warriors in their preparations this week.

“;He's throwing the ball with more accuracy and he's just more comfortable in the offense,”; Ault said of Kaepernick, who is completing 62.5 percent of his throws, compared to 54 percent last year.

The Warriors keyed on closing Kaepernick's running lanes last year and held him to 23 yards on 11 carries. He completed just nine of 20 passes for 134 yards in UH's dramatic 28-26 win in Reno.

“;Last year it was part of our game plan to put him into passing situations,”; Hawaii linebacker Adam Leonard said. “;This year from the velocity on his ball and the throws he's been making, you can definitely see a drastic improvement.”;

While Kaepernick was expected to be a major part of the Wolf Pack offense, Taua was expected to play a supporting role in the backfield.

His began the season among the backups until Lippincott tore ligaments in his knee against Texas Tech on Sept. 6.

The 5-foot-10, 225-pound Taua has run with the opportunity, picking up 736 yards so far, including 310 in the last two weeks against New Mexico State and Utah State.

“;(Taua) really has been a pleasant surprise,”; Ault said. “;He just has really good balance, that's one of the biggest things and he has good change of direction.”;

Keeping the Pack fenced in is a task at once daunting and enticing for the Warriors defense.

“;For a linebacker, a team that loves to run, that's a direct challenge to you and the linemen in front of you,”; Leonard said.

Clearing the way

Victor Clore's role didn't put him in the spotlight, but his absence has been evident in the Warriors' return game.

Clore was part of UH's wedge unit on kickoff returns, leading the way for the returner, but he suffered a knee injury against Louisiana Tech and missed last week's game at Boise State, when the Warriors struggled in that phase.

“;Victor's really the heart and soul of our wedge,”; UH special teams coach Ikaika Malloe said. “;Just his leadership skill and tenacity in hitting it.”;

Defensive linemen Tuika Tufaga, C.J. Allen-Jones and Tua Mahaley and linebacker Kaleo Wong were among those given a look at filling the middle of the unit yesterday.

“;A no-nonsense guy who'll definitely crush your head,”; Malloe said of Wong, a junior who has yet to get into a game this season.

The unit will try to clear the way for Malcolm Lane, who takes over kickoff-return duties this week. With UH last in the nation in punt returns, Malloe said Aaron Bain will be the primary punt returner.

“;He's one of our better hands, we want him to catch the ball first and hopefully with the scheme we have we can get him to a return,”; Malloe said.