2009 Preview: Nevada Wolf Pack

Head Coach: Chris Ault (25th Season)
2008 Record: 7-6 (2nd WAC; lost to Maryland in the Humanitarian Bowl, 35-42)

2009 Schedule

* = Key game that could go either way

9-5 @ Notre Dame (W)*
9-12 @ Colorado State (W)
9-25 Missouri (Fri.) (W)*
10-3 UNLV (W)
10-9 Louisiana Tech (Fri) (W)*
10-17 @ Utah State (W)
10-31 Hawaii (W)
11-8 @ San Jose State (W)
11-14 Fresno State (W)
11-21 @ New Mexico State (W)*
11-27 @ Boise State (Fri) (L)*

Projected Record: 11-1

OFFENSE (7 Returning Starters)

Backfield (Strength)

The Chris Ault “Pistol” offense has given opposing defenses in the WAC fits as of late, including the consensus league champion, Boise State. The Wolfpack’s Pistol offense looks to be as strong as ever heading into ’09, and it will be led by the talent and experience from this backfield.

At Quarterback, junior Colin Kaepernick returns. Kaepernick last season was the fifth player in FBS history to throw for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 yards in the same season. He’s a multi-dimensional athlete who can dominate a game. Behind him is two sophomores in Tyler Lantrip and Luke Collins. Both Lantrip and Collins had solid springs, and capped them off with an impressive spring game showing combining to throw four touchdowns in the game while Kaepernick sat out.

Carrying the ball for the Wolfpack other than Kaepernick is one of the better 1-2 running back tandems in all of College Football this year in junior Vai Taua, and 6th year senior Luke Lipincott. Taua was 1st Team All-WAC last season rushing for 1,764 yards, while Lipincott rushed for 1,130. That’s three Wolpack players who rushed for 1,000 yards last season.

Receivers

Marko Mitchell was the lone drafted player (7th round, Redskins) from the Wolfpack this year, and his production will be sorely missed. Mitchell had 1,141 yards receiving on 61 catches last season.

Replacing Mitchell at the Z Receiver will be sophomore Tray Session or mid-year JC transfer Maurice Patterson. Both are neck and neck for the starting nod, and the battle will continue into fall.

Kaepernick’s top target though this year will likely be X Receiver, Chris Wellington. Had 632 yards last season as a sophomore, he will need to step up and emerge as a go-to guy for Kaepernick in this quick passing offense.

Then in the slot, Brandon Wimberly a redshirt-freshman who transferred from Oregon State had an impressive spring and beat out senior Dwayne Sanders to emerge as the starter at slot. Has great size at 6’3, could be a surprise in 2009.

Tight End looks to be solid for the Pack who have three upperclassmen with Virgil Green as the starter. Behind him are Kevin Bohr who has starting experience and senior Talalasi Puloka.

Offensive Line

Three offensive lineman return to an offense that was ranked 5th in total offense one season ago. All-WAC performers, Mike Gallett and Alonzo Durham will anchor the line from the tackle spots. Then junior John Bender will be at left guard.

There is still questions as to who will emerge as the right guard for the Wolfpack. Chris Baker a redshirt-freshman came out of spring practices as the #1 guy on the depth chart, but expect JC transfer Amini Silatolu from San Joaquin Delta to possibly be the starter when the Wolfpack take the field against the Fighting Irish.

At center, the Pack will have a guard from last season switching over to handle the snaps. Kenneth Ackerman gets the nod. Ackerman is a senior, who knows the offense and is very seasoned. Ackerman seemed to handle the position well during spring, and appears there won’t be a drop off.

DEFENSE (7 Returning Starters)

Defensive Line (Strength)

The Wolfpack return three starters back to their four man defensive front, that were the 6th best run defense in the nation and tops in the WAC allowing only 88 yards per game on the ground. The production in the run stuffing should still be at a high level with the players returning.

On the edges, expect the Wolfpack to get some heat in opposing backfields with All-WAC performers Kevin Basped and Dontay Moch. Both players are juniors. Basped led the team in tackles for loss last season with 18.5, while Moch led the team in sacks with 13. These two form the best DE tandem in the WAC.

In the middle of the line, senior tackle Nate Agalava returns and senior Chris Slack will be in his first year as a starter.

Linebackers (Concern)

A talented group that needs to start producing on the field, this is the Wolfpack’s youngest group of starters at any position on the team with two sophomores as starters, and a senior who was a JC transfer last season. Those sophomores though were starters last season as freshman in WOLF LB Brandon Marshall and James-Michael Johnson who will hold down the SAM spot. Senior Mike Bethea will be in the middle at the MIKE spot.

Secondary (Concern)

The Wolfpack were the worst pass defense in all of College Football last season giving up 311 yards through the air. The Pack return two starters to the secondary, but when the results were as bad as they were last year, this position has to be a concern for Ault and staff.

At Cornerback, senior Antoine Thompson a former JUCO transfer; Thompson took some time to get adjusted to the college game, but late in the year showed some promise recording an interception against Boise State. Thompson is one of the most athletic players on the team, as he is also a punt returner option for the Pack.

On the boundary spot, there is more concerns. Sophomore Isaiah Frey came out of spring as the starter, but look for Cory Smith a JC transfer from College of the Sequoias to have an opportunity come fall to be a starter.

At safety, the Wolfpack have a stud in Free Safety All-WAC performer Jonathon Amaya. Amaya was the leader in interceptions last season with four, and was also the leader in tackles with 68.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The kicking department looks to be solid for the Pack in ’09. Punter Brad Langley is recovering from a torn Achilles but should be ready to go come fall, Langley was an All-WAC selection last season.

For place kicking, junior Ricky Drake a JC transfer from College of the Canyons; was one of the best JC kickers last season. Drake is expected from day 1 of fall camp to take over the Place Kicking and Kick offs.

Final Thought

I’m very high on this Nevada team. They have the talent to be the surprise “Non-BCS” team this year like Utah was last season. The Pack has tons of talent across the board. The key as is for most teams is to stay healthy and get some production early on from their back 7 on defense. Their defense should be very good by season’s end.

The schedule for the Pack has some difficult games. I fully expect Nevada to shock the College Football landscape (won’t be a shocker to me) by beating Notre Dame in the season opener at South Bend. Some tough games against Colorado State, UNLV, and Big XII foe Missouri will be difficult tasks but I see the Pack emerging from those victorious. Missouri is rebuilding, and UNLV is a team Nevada has beat four years in a row and both come to Reno.

It’s all going to come down to that Friday season finale on ESPN at Boise State. Should be an epic game with a lot at stake.

Nevada Blog to check out

The Nevada Sagebrush