Chris Ault built a dynasty from nothing, a gem out of a scrap heap.

He won his 200th game with Nevada last week and seeks No. 201 today at Utah State. For decades, the coach has mined Sacramento for talent, including six who remain all-time Wolf Pack greats. All were diamonds in the rough. A closer look:

• Jeff Tisdel – Tisdel emerged from Christian Brothers High School to become a two-time All-American in 1976 and '77, passing for 6,098 yards and 59 touchdowns. He became the first Wolf Pack player in three decades to compete in the East-West Shrine Game. Tisdel now coaches Sierra College.

"He was my first All-American," Ault said. "Our program was really down when he got here, and he really helped get us on track."

• Marshall Sperbeck – A transfer from Oregon State out of Valley High, Sperbeck quarterbacked one of Ault's greatest victories – in 1982 over 25th-ranked Fresno State, quarterbacked by Jeff Tedford. Sperbeck had two touchdown passes, ran for one and caught one on a trick play to key a 40-26 win.

"Of all the quarterbacks we had, he was one of the most talented," Ault said. "Terrific competitor, very bright. What he's doing as the Sac State coach now … he's the perfect fit for them."

• Charles Mann – Dave Hoskins, a Valley coach in 1979, urged Ault to take a peek at a long, lanky lineman, and after one glimpse, Ault offered him a scholarship. Mann went on to lead the Big Sky Conference with 14 sacks in 1982.

"He was 6-foot-5, 200 pounds in high school, very average, but he had so much ability," Ault said. "I watched him play basketball and thought, 'Gosh, I can put him anywhere - tight end, offensive line, defensive end, linebacker.' "

• Eric Beavers – The Davis product set Pack career marks in touchdown passes (78) and total offense (9,028 yards) and leading his team to a 13-1 mark in 1986. Beavers has been a high school coach the last two decades.

"He's the winningest quarterback we've ever had here – 40 wins – and to think, no one really recruited him," Ault said. "Loved him."

• Chris Vargas – Only Ault offered a scholarship to a player who earned the nickname "Magic" for his late-game heroics – none more dramatic than in 1991, when he engineered one of the greatest comebacks in NCAA history. Nevada trailed Weber State by 35 before Vargas keyed a 55-49 win. In 1992, the Woodland native led Nevada to its first bowl game in 44 years. He now does radio commentary on Pack games.

"One of my all-time favorites," Ault said.

• Alex Van Dyke – In two seasons with the Pack, the Sacramento City College transfer from Burbank set three NCAA records in 1994 and '95 and landed on the Nevada Team of the Century. Van Dyke now trains local athletes in Sacramento.

"What a special talent," Ault said. "He could do anything."

Back on track – When Armond Armstead made a move to get around an offensive tackle this week in practice, it was all there in plain view. The burst. The instinct. The USC defensive lineman from Pleasant Grove will return to action today when the Trojans play at Notre Dame.

The sophomore was sidelined for five weeks because of a broken foot. As reported in the Los Angeles Times, USC defensive-line coach Jethro Franklin, upon seeing Armstead's blitz move, bellowed, "He's back! He's back! He's 295 pounds of twisted steel and sex appeal!"

Starting nose tackle Christian Tupou of Grant has been slowed by a tender knee, though he will play today. Taylor Dever of Nevada Union is a backup right tackle for Notre Dame.

All A's for Denham – A blown knee with ligaments stretched and torn often spells disaster for athletes who need their legs. Such an injury has served to inspire Greg Denham, who has recovered from surgery during his Placer High days to carve out a nice career at UC Davis as another prolific Aggies passer. The junior passed for 380 yards and two touchdowns last week to earn the Great West Conference Offensive Player of the Week honor.

"I wasn't going to let the knee slow me down," Denham said.

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