For Colin Kaepernick, this is it.

Not that he needs any more excuses validating his mark in college football history, but the 2006 Pitman High graduate has one more chance to showcase the skills and determination that he picked up in Turlock. This opportunity comes Sunday, when his No. 15 University of Nevada football team takes on Boston College in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Kaepernick’s final college appearance begins at 6 p.m.

The senior quarterback already has solidified his place in college football, breaking NCAA and school records as if they were fine China, all while being the centerpiece of his coach’s pistol offense. At the same time, he has created new marks: He’s the first NCAA quarterback to have more than 9,000 passing and 4,000 rushing yards, accounting for a staggering 140 touchdowns.

But it’s never been about him, a repeated sentiment that comes from Kaepernick and the people close to him.

The Wolf Pack’s signature win — in a season in which they’ve gone 12-1 and are considered the heavy favorites over 7-5 Boston College — is upsetting Boise State, 34-31 in overtime, on Nov. 26, 2010, that helped give Nevada a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship. The victory also killed the Broncos’ bid for a BCS bowl.

So far this season, Kaepernick has accumulated 2,830 yards passing. He’s also one of two quarterbacks in the nation who has passed for 20 touchdowns and ran for 20 more; the other is Auburn’s Cam Newton, who will be the headliner of Monday’s BCS National Championship game.

In the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, Kaepernick will be arguably the game’s biggest star in his final college game before he auditions for the NFL.

To contact Chhun Sun, e-mail csun@turlockjournal.com or call 634-9141 ext. 2041.