Quarterback helping Nevada thread defenses

By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nevada fifth-year senior Zach Threadgill, who had only two starts at quarterback before this season, averages 336.8 yards per game in total offense. University of Nevada photo WHAT: WAC football, Nevada (2-3, 1-0) at Hawai'i (3-2, 2-1) KICKOFF: Saturday at 6:05 p.m. TV/RADIO: Live on Oceanic Digital 255 and 256 (pay per view) 6:05 p.m. Delayed on K5 at 10 p.m./Live on 1420 AM

"That's pretty nice," Nevada's Zack Threadgill said of his early success. "It's a testament to how the team's playing."

Threadgill, a fifth-year senior who missed the entire 2000 season because of a torn anterior cruciate ligament, leads the Western Athletic Conference with an average of 324 passing yards per game.

He also tops the WAC and is fifth nationally in total offense, averaging 336.8 yards per game.

It is an impressive start for a quarterback whose experience entering this season totaled 11 games, including two starts. What's more, Nevada, which plays Hawai'i Saturday in a WAC showdown, was supposed to be a run-oriented team.

But after Chance Kretschmer, who led the nation in rushing last season, suffered a season-ending injury last month, Nevada turned to its old ways. Nevada was traditionally a passing team that switched tactics when Kretschmer developed into a top rusher last season.

Without Kretschmer, Wolf Pack coach Chris Tormey again opened the passing lanes. Threadgill, who backed up David Neill the last three years, embraced his new role.

"As a backup, you have to be prepared," Threadgill said. "You have to have the mental aspect that you're ready to go. You're always one step away. The guys on the team respected me, and I've always had respect for them. (Being a starter) hasn't changed me at all."

Threadgill said he has never had a recorded time in the 40-yard sprint. He also insists he can throw a football a maximum of 50 yards. "I don't get into throwing competitions," he said.

Instead, he uses his agility and cunning to pick apart defenses. His favorite target is Nate Burleson, who leads the nation in receiving.

Of his success, Threadgill said, "There was a lot of hard work during the offseason." Threadgill, who was raised in Glendale, Ariz., and the other 90 percent of the team spent the summer in Reno. After going through two conditioning sessions each day, the players staged seven-on-seven games at night.

"It wasn't mandatory," he said. "It was something we felt we needed to do."

Threadgill has had to punch in long hours to develop from a lightly recruited high school senior. Although Washington State and Colorado State showed interest, Nevada was the only Division I-A team to offer a football scholarship.

He redshirted in 1998, threw 33 passes in two games in 1999 and then suffered the knee injury in 2000. "There were some frustrating moments," he said. "It's been a long road. I worked through it. You have to keep your mind straight, keep focused, not allow yourself to get out of shape. Even if you don't play, you can keep up on the mental aspect of the game."

Threadgill said he has made the adjustment to his starting role. Although he admitted to sneaking peeks at preseason football magazines, he said, "you can't get caught up in all of the hype."

He said he no longer follows media reports of his progress. "I let my parents do all of that stuff," he said. "I have to keep focused."