Nevada became the fourth bowl eligible team from the Western Athletic Conference with its 41-17 dominating win over San Jose State in front of a home crowd of 14,343 at Mackay Stadium Saturday.

Last year, the Spartans took down the Wolf Pack for the first time in six years. With a smothering defense, Nevada hopes it started a new streak.

Nevada’s defense came out fast and aggressive, backing up San Jose State two yards and forcing a three-and-out on the game’s first possession.

Initially, the Pack’s offense looked like anything but the offense that racked 600 yards of total offense at Fresno State a week ago. A defensive pass interference gave Nevada its only first down as the hosts also posted negative yardage on their opening drive.

Although Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick struggled in the first half, completing 6 of 15 passes, the sophomore sparked the offense with his elusive moves.

During Nevada’s second possession, Kaepernick took the ball down to the San Jose State 16 on a 34-yard run. The Pack was set up with a first-and-goal at the 4, but was backed up to the 18 before Brett Jaekle split the uprights on a 35-yard field goal at the 6:03 mark in the first quarter.

On San Jose State’s ensuing possession, the Spartans moved the yard markers for the first time in the game, but couldn’t get much else. However, the visitors did take an edge in the field position battle by downing a rugby style punt at the Nevada 3.

The edge didn’t last long as the Wolf Pack journeyed into SJSU territory before having to punt.

It would only be a matter of time before Nevada’s offense would find an opening.

Past the midway point in the second quarter, the Wolf Pack’s drive did not look like it was going anywhere. On a third-and-17 play, Kaepernick threw off the wrong foot and on the run for a 44-yard gain to Chris Wellington, which set up a 7-yard rushing touchdown by Kaepernick on the next play for a 10-0 lead.

Nevada took over with a little over two minutes left in the first half, but wasn’t satisfied going into the locker room with a 10-0 lead. With the ball on its own 43, Nevada gave the ball to leading rusher Vai Taua, who faked past one defender, broke an arm tackle and was gone down the sideline for a 57-yard touchdown run with 1:02 on the second-quarter clock.

San Jose State (6-5, 4-3 WAC) looked to get on the scoreboard before halftime. After a 39-yard pass from Kyle Reed to David Richmond to the Wolf Pack 27, the Spartans looked poised to get back in the game against a defense that had forced six punts. But SJSU had to settle for a 44-yard field goal by Jared Strubeck with 22 seconds remaining in the first half.

Kaepernick’s accuracy woes continued in the second half, but so did his big runs. Kaepernick eclipsed the century mark thanks to a 46-yard QB draw up the middle to the SJSU 5. Courtney Randall, in for Taua, who was injured earlier in the drive, plowed into the end zone from 5 yards out, pushing the Nevada lead to 24-3 with 12:16 left in the third quarter.

The Spartans struck back quickly though and capped a three-play, 50-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Reed to Richmond. The drive lasted just 36 seconds.

San Jose State’s defense could not keep the momentum from swaying back to the Silver and Blue.

Kaepernick finally found his touch on a deep ball, connecting with Marko Mitchell over the middle for a 31-yard touchdown pass and capping an 11-play drive for a 31-10 advantage.

But once again, the Spartans went to the air and scored on a 10-yard fade pass to Richmond on a drive that took one second longer than San Jose State’s previous one.

After being held to -16 yards on the ground through the majority of three quarters by the nation’s second best run defense, SJSU’s strategy of abandoning the run failed to put points on the board when the Spartans could not convert on a fourth-and-10 at the Nevada 33 late in the third. San Jose State lost 23 yards on 16 carries on the afternoon.

“It was a little better than last week. We did some good things,” SJSU coach Dick Tomey said of his offense. “We couldn’t run the ball but nobody can run the ball against them. We pretty much gave up on it in the second half.”

Nevada received two big favors in the fourth quarter. The first was when Reed fumbled while trying to scramble out of the pocket and Joe Easter recovered for the Pack at the SJSU 27.

Five plays later, Jaekle tacked on three points with a 33-yard field goal, pushing the gap to 34-17, just over three minutes into the final quarter.

The second San Jose State gaffe occurred when the Spartans were called for an offside penalty on another Jaekle field goal attempt, which gave Nevada a first down. Kaepernick proceeded to take it in from 6 yards out for a 41-17 lead. It also was the seventh time the Pack scored at least 40 points in a game this fall.

Nevada’s offensive line was a big factor in the success Saturday. The Spartans came in with 31 sacks, but could not get to Kaepernick all day.

“Getting a win here for the crowd, we’re just letting everyone know that we’re still here. We’re not going anywhere,” Nevada senior offensive lineman Dominic Green said. “This is our team. This is our season. We’re not letting these guys back down one bit.”

Kaepernick and Taua helped break a 30-year-old school record for rushing yards in a season. Kaepernick rushed for 147 yards on 14 carries, while Taua added 125 yards on 18 touches. It was the fourth time the duo both ran for over 100 yards in the same game.

“It’s outstanding for those individuals,” Nevada coach Chris Ault said. “You have to throw your O-line in there. It starts up front and works its way to the back. I’m the last person to talk stats, but that’s pretty outstanding for those players.”

Second-place Nevada (6-4, 4-2 WAC) still has a chance to win the conference crown but will need to beat Boise State Saturday and win at Louisiana Tech the following week and hope for a Broncos loss versus Fresno State.