Nevada Wolfpack Football Preview 2013 [AUDIO]

Nevada football would not be what it is today without former head coach Chris Ault. Now that Ault is gone and Brian Polian has stepped in, it will be interesting to see how the team responds in 2013.

The Wolfpack are in the midst of a coaching change, but don’t expect anything to change on offense.  Nevada’s potent pistol offense earned them 514.9 yds/game, which ranked 8^th in the nation last season (1^st in MWC).  QB Cody Fajardo returns as a junior after throwing for 2,786 yds and completing 246 of his 367 attempts for 20 TD’s and 9 INT’s.  Backup QB Devin Combs adds depth as he saw action last season, throwing 25 of 39 with 384 yds, 4 TD’s, and 1 INT.

However, the offensive backfield loses first-team All-MWC RB Stephon Jefferson.  Jefferson ran for 1883 yds on 375 carries and 24 TD’s.  He ranked 2^nd in the nation in rushing, 1^st in the MWC.  He also ranked 1^st in the conference in scoring and 3^rd nationally.  Fajardo was also a valuable contributor to the rushing attack, netting 1121 yds on 190 carries for 12 TD’s.  The Wolfpack also lose Nick Hale, who rushed for 302 yds on 54 carries with 2 TD’s.

At receiver, Nevada returns first team All-MWC selection Brandon Wimberly.  The WR hauled in 70 passes for 845 yds and 4 TD’s, which ranked 5^th in the conference.  TE Zach Sudfeld must also be replaced after he caught 45 passes for 598 yds and 8 TD’s (9^th in MWC).  However, the team’s second leading receiver from last season is back.  Richy Turner reeled in 60 catches for 752 yds and 3 TD’s (7^th in MWC).

At O-Line, the Wolfpack must replace three of its front five linemen, including first-team All-MWC selection Jeff Nady.

Defensively, the defensive line looks like it will be the most solid on that side of the ball.  Brock Hekking, a second team All-MWC selection, comes back after ranking third in the conference in sacks with 8.  He also tallied up 75 total tackles, which ranked 25^th in the MWC.  Lenny Jones was also a presence in the offensive backfield, collecting 5 sacks on the season.

At linebacker, the Pack must replace all three of its starters from last season.  Albert Rosette will be the biggest loss after he was able to pile up 135 total tackles, 4 TFL’s, 1 sack, 2 FF’s, and 2 PBU’s.  He led the conference in total tackles last season.  Boughton (75 total tackles (20^th in MWC)) and Green (6.5 TFL’s) will also be missed at linebacker this season.

In the secondary, SS Charles Garrett (35 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 INT) is the only returning starter this season.  Nevada loses a couple of second team All-MWC selections in CB Khalid Wooten and SS Duke Williams.  Williams racked up 106 total tackles (7^th in MWC), 5.5 TFL’s, and 1 INT last season.  Wooten made 53 total tackles, 2 TFL’s, 1 sack, and 2 INT’s with one “pick six.”  He also was a valuable contributor to special teams, ranking 5^th nationally in punt returns (15.13 yds/return).

Offensive Domination: Nevada led the conference last season in yards/game with 515.  They were able to out-gain opponents by almost 72 yds/game, which led them to be ranked 8^th in the country in total offense.

Lack of Backfield Presence: The Pack defense had a difficult time getting into the offensive backfield, managing to get just 3.85 TFL’s/game.  They ranked 118^thnationally in this category last season.

2013 Schedule:

8/31 at UCLA
9/7 UC Davis
9/14 at Florida State
9/21 Hawaii*
9/28 Air Force*
10/4 at San Diego State*
10/19 at Boise State*
10/26 UNLV*
11/2 at Fresno State*
11/9 at Colorado State*
11/16 San Jose State*
11/30 BYU

*-Conference Games

Critical Games:

1. @San Diego State: The Wolfpack lost a heart-breaker in Reno last season to the Aztecs.  Now, Nevada has a chance to pick up a win in Qualcomm Stadium this year.  This is crucial game for both contenders as it could have a lot to do with their MWC Championship hopes.
2. Boise and Fresno: Picking up both of these games on the road will be very difficult for the Wolfpack, but winning one of them could keep them in the hunt for a potential MWC Championship crown.

*-First Team All-Mountain West

^-Second Team All-Mountain West

This article was complied with the use of NCAA Football Statistics, Mountain West Conference Football,  Nevada Football Preview 2013, and Nevada Wolfpack Football.

Audio:

Nick Rolovich and Scottie Hazelton (Offensive and Defensive Coordinators) talk about: Cody Fajardo (Rolovich), Pistol offense (Rolovich), Experience coming back on Defense (Hazelton).  (Courtesy of WolfPackAthletics):

Ryan Radtke (Voice of The Wolfpack) talks about: Coach transition, Fajardo, Running Backs and pressure on Fajardo, and The defense: