Grambling not a softie for UNRNevada hosts Grambling State in Saturday opener

RENO -- Something will have to give when UNR has the ball today in its season opener against Grambling State.

The Wolf Pack returns eight players from one of the most productive offenses in the Western Athletic Conference.

Grambling, defending champion of the Southwestern Athletic Conference West Division, returns seven key players on a defense that ranked 12th in the nation in the Football Championship Subdivision last season.

UNR's offense includes running back Luke Lippincott, who led the WAC in rushing; quarterback Colin Kaepernick, the 2007 WAC Freshman of the Year; and first-team all-WAC center Dominic Green.

Grambling's defense allowed only 18 points per game last season and was second in the SWAC in rushing defense (102.4) and total defense (305).

It's shaping up as quite a clash -- the Wolf Pack ground game, which led the WAC in rushing and returns almost all of its key personnel -- and the Tigers' rush defense.

"I think the defense is going to have to set the tone," said Grambling rover Jeffrey Jack, a safety a year ago. "I see they (UNR) are a pretty good running team."

The Tigers will counter with a defense led by Christian Anthony, one of two returning linemen. He led the Tigers with 14 tackles for loss last season. They also return two starting linebackers and both starting cornerbacks.

"(Grambling) always has guys who go on to the (NFL)," UNR coach Chris Ault said.