Nevada offense humbles Cal

RENO, Nev. – Colin Kaepernick ran for 148 yards and three touchdowns and passed for 181 yards and two more scores in Nevada’s 52-31 nonconference victory over California on Friday night.

Marlon Johnson scored on a 65-yard interception return, and Vai Taua added 151 yards rushing – including a 54-yard run that made it 45-24 with 7:43 left – to help the Western Athletic Conference school improve to 3-0.

Shane Vereen ran for a career-high 198 yards and three scores for the Bears (2-1), who had a 22-1-1 record against Nevada entering the game.

Kaepernick moved into a tie for seventh with Missouri’s Brad Smith in career rushing touchdowns with 45. In three games this year, the 6-foot-6 senior has thrown for six touchdowns and run for seven.

The Bears were without linebacker Mike Mohamed, the Pac-10’s leading tackler a year ago who was out with a sprained toe. They entered the game leading the nation in fewest yards allowed, averaging 161 per game. But Nevada had 297 by the half while holding Cal to only 136 as the Wolf Pack scored on four of their five possessions for a 24-14 lead.