Can the Nevada Wolf Pack Ever Win With New Coaching?
Offense
Despite last year’s struggles, quarterback Cody Fajardo managed to still play pretty well, throwing for 13 touchdowns to only 3 interceptions and rushing for another 8 touchdowns. His numbers dropped off from his sophomore campaign in 2012, though, and in a more pass-happy offense last year, he took more sacks. He has shown himself to be very accurate with a 68 percent completion rate, and he’s still a dual threat, but staying healthy has to be a priority as he enters his senior season. If he can do that, the passing game should be on point and he’s a dark horse superstar. If not, sophomore Tyler Stewart or senior Devin Combs will have to step up. Combs has the most potential but is coming off an injury as well.
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Senior Kendall Brock is back at running back, and although it’s nice to have the entire backfield back, Brock will have to be more of a difference maker this year. It’s not like he wasn’t used a lot last year, with 185 carries, but he only had 812 yards and 10 touchdowns on that. Those numbers wouldn’t be terrible except for the fact that Farjado is also used a lot in the running game, and if he’s going to have any pressure taken off of him, Brock will have to break a few long ones. Junior Don Jackson will take some carries as well after 332 yards and 4 touchdowns last year.
In addition to the problems at running back, somebody is going to have to step up and be the big-play receiver as well. Brandon Wimberly is gone after 989 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns last year. This year, senior Richy Turner and Aaron Bradley will have to take the lead roles. Both are competent after Turner had 755 yards and 4 touchdowns last year and Bradley had 474 yards and 2 touchdowns. But the most potential at this position belongs to Hasaan Henderson. Henderson only had 326 yards and a touchdown last year, but he was a freshman, and standing at 6’5″ 230 pounds, the guy provides incredible size to create mismatches anywhere on the field. There is no reason that he can’t be a breakout star this year. Losing Kolby Arendse at tight end could be potentially damaging, but sophomore Jarred Gipson had experience in 12 games as a freshman last year. Keep an eye on Jerico Richardson at receiver, who saw action last year as a freshman as well, and sophomore Patrick Clifford could have an impact at tight end as well. Behind these guys are three freshman receivers and a freshman tight end who could provide depth. As a whole, despite Wimberly’s departure, the unit should be better overall, and there’s enough talent to take pressure off Fajardo and the running game.
Nov 30, 2013; Reno, NV, USA; Nevada Wolf Pack quarterback Cody Fajardo (17) runs play against the BYU Cougars in their NCAA football game at MacKay Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen/USA TODAY Sports. BYU won 28-23.
The offensive line has a good bit of talent returning except for the most important player on last year’s team, left tackle Joel Bitonio. Bitonio was first-team All-Mountain West Conference and had 38 career starts. However, senior center Matt Galas and senior tackle Kyle Roberts both have plenty of starting experience, and sophomore guard Jeremy Macauley had 10 starts as a freshman last year and has lots of potential standing at 6’1″ 305 pounds. Those three guys will determine how good the line is this year, and all of them are pretty good. Guard Fred Lavulo is another starter who is gone, but junior Connor Talbott saw as much action at the position as Lavulo did last year, and Zach Brickell could also fill in. Most importantly, however, somebody will have to fill the other tackle position, but nobody else has experience. Junior College transfer Humberto Lopez was most likely recruited to do just that, and standing at 6’5″ 305 pounds, he’s the most obvious choice. There are five other guys in the system to provide depth at the line, so after a few games of growing pains, the unit should be as good as last year, despite a bit thinner when it comes to experience.
If the skill players for Nevada can step up and make more game-changing plays than last year, then the Wolf Pack’s offense as a whole should be better. Fajardo can’t have all of the pressure put on him this year, especially after facing injury issues last year. The receivers and running game will determine just how far Fajardo can go as a potential breakout player on the national scene this year, and they’ll have to improve from last year.