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2022 in Review

The biggest problem for the Wolf Pack last fall was not that Jay Norvell was no longer on the sidelines, it was that a whole bunch of players Norvell brought in were no longer there either.

Welcome to the new landscape of college sports.

On the offensive side of the ball, Nevada averaged just 304.7 yards per game to rank 122nd in the nation.

Defensively, they allowed 396.2 yards per game to rank slightly better at 80th. On the scoreboard, they were outscored 30.9-18.8 over the 12 games.

The run game a season ago could only muster 119 yards per game, but the Wolf Pack still nearly produced a 1,000-yard back in Toa Taua, who finished the campaign with 911 yards on the ground.

Taua, however, is gone, but the cupboard is far from bear in the backfield.

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Offense

A pair of Pac-12 RBs have matriculated to Reno for 2023.

Sean Dollars transfers in from Oregon where he ran for 188 yards on just over 30 carries for the Ducks. Ashton Hayes returns to his hometown after a season with California.

They should be joined in the backfield by another former Pac-12 player as Brendan Lewis comes over from Colorado and should be the starter under center.

Shane Illingworth is still in the mix as well, but one would have to think it is Lewis’s position to lose.

The added depth at the skill positions on offense will certainly help, but they still need to get people blocked.

It does not matter how talented those guys are if they are getting hit in the backfield. There is only so much they can do on their own. In 2022, Nevada allowed 6.85 tackles for loss per game.

The offense will need to be able to open holes for the backs to work.

Lewis is a proven QB and should be able to produce with short passes, but the line will need to provide some time.

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Defense

Defensively, the Pack will want to get pressure and push the point of attack behind the opponents’ line of scrimmage.

If they can make plays behind the line it will speed up the improvement rate of the team.

The strength of the defensive unit could be the pass rush, and they could get that production from their linebackers.

Dru Watts should be able to build upon a fine freshman season in which he tallied nine TFL and three sacks. It is not a stretch to consider him the best player on the roster.

Another Oregon transfer, Jackson LaDuke could be Watts’ backer mate. Both players are versatile enough to play inside or outside should they be called upon.

The big problem for Nevada last season was the backend of the defense and that is the spot it needs to shore up.

Against teams that could throw the ball effectively last season the Pack really struggled, and improvement is essential in 2023.

Even if the front seven can create some havoc if receivers are left open a D-1 QB will find them.

There is hope in the secondary. Jaden Dedman and Issaiah Essissima are both capable and could develop into a productive tandem at cornerback—and Nevada will need them to be.

Tre Weeds comes from Eastern Washington and should be solid at the safety position.

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Schedule