Nevada scored a 19-thirteen win over Weber State on Saturday to enhance to two-1 on the season. Here is a Monday assessment of the sport and a look-beforehand to Nevada’s next opponent.
Just the data
The Wolf Pack held large edges in first downs (25 to ten) and general yards (453 to 137) so that you’d determine Nevada had this sport salted away early. You’d be wrong. The Wolf Pack didn’t cap its victory over the FCS Wildcats till less than a minute to head while Toa Taua’s strong walking gave the Wolf Pack a first down after a third-and-longer term sealed a 19-thirteen victory. Nevada changed into minus-two in turnover margin and additionally had a punt blocked, which made the game closer than it must have been.
Murray’s take
Former Nevada head teach Brian Polian had an announcing. “I’ll by no means make an apology for a win.” This changed into one of those styles of games. Beating an FCS college via six factors at domestic isn’t always the best end result, however, once more, a win is a win. Weber State did hold with San Diego State, every other Mountain West faculty, in the season opener where it additionally lost through simply six. But Weber State had its starting quarterback Jake Constantine in that recreation. After knee surgical operation, Constantine changed into out for this one, and his backup, Kaden Jenks, couldn’t virtually throw the ball. Nevada’s 2-1 file appears excellent. Its present-day degree of play needs to be stepped forward if the Wolf Pack goes to make a bowl.
Overall MVP
Freshman kicker Brandon Talton has proved he isn’t a one-hit marvel after his notable performance in the season-beginning win over Purdue in which he booted the game-winning fifty six-yard field aim. Talton made all four of his area-aim tries within the win over Weber State (from distances of 36, 30, 25 and 34 yards) and scored 13 of Nevada’s 19 points. He has become Nevada’s first discipline-purpose kicker to hit 4 subject goals in a sport considering the fact that Brett Jaekle against Texas Tech on Sept. 6, 2008. He’s 8-for-eight in his profession. He’s earned that scholarship given to him after the opener.
Offensive MVP
Jaxson Kincaide has been the forgotten guy in Nevada’s three-headed strolling returned corps, however with Taua banged up and unable to take the sphere load of the incorporates early in the season, Kincaide has emerged as a strong weapon via the first three games. Against Weber State, the senior rushed for seventy five yards on 11 contains, inclusive of Nevada’s simplest touchdown, a 33-backyard run that gave Nevada the lead for correct. He additionally had one catch, a kickoff return for 21 yards or even a tackle after a turnover. It turned into arguably the high-quality game of Kincaide’s career.
Defensive MVP
Nevada had stellar protecting efforts, so a number of gamers ought to have earned this honor, but Gabriel Sewell racked up the best stats, recording six tackles, along with a career-exceptional three.5 for loss. Nevada had a season-high 10 tackles for loss basic. With Constantine out, the best way Weber State turned into going to overcome Nevada changed into by way of correctly going for walks the ball. Sewell and the linebacker corps made positive that wasn’t the case. The field becomes stacked and the Wolf Pack held Weber State to seventy-four speeding yards on 27 consists of, top for two.7 yards consistent with carrying.
Fun stat
137 – Nevada held Weber State to 137 yards of offense, which is its lowest general allowed because giving up simply one hundred ten yards in a 37-zero shutout of UNLV in 2011. (The Rebels completed simply 1-of-14 passes in that recreation for eight yards). So the Weber State win to become one of the exceptional performances in Nevada’s protecting records in case you wipe away the quality of opponent. The most effective touchdown the Wolf Pack gave up become an 11-yard skip from Jenks to Rashid Shaheed, but the Wildcats started that force at the Nevada 15-backyard line after a blocked punt. Elite attempt by the D.
Up next
After gambling an FCS opponent remaining week, the challenge does not get any greater hard this week as Nevada faces UTEP, that’s 2-24 over the last three seasons. The Miners have most effective played video games this year, beating FCS opponent Houston Baptist, 36-34. Houston Baptist’s soccer program changed into created in 2013 and the college is 10-46 considering joining the FCS in 2014). UTEP lost to Texas Tech, 38-3, in week two before getting a bye closing week. Beating the Miners should not be a trouble as Nevada is a 14-point favorite. This is the easiest opponent on Nevada’s 2018 agenda. The biggest challenge will be the sport’s place. Nevada is 3-10 underneath Jay Norvell on the street and will play this recreation in the Sun Bowl.
