Nevada looks to improve
10th in a series of 13 features on Hawaii's opponents
In 2002 Nevada football proved it can compete. This year, Wolf Pack coach Chris Tormey wants it to win.
If not for two losses of four points and one by three, the boys from Reno would've beaten the house last year. Instead they went 5-7 -- on paper, a nice continued improvement from 3-8 and 2-10 the previous two years, but disappointing in its own way.
"We have to win some close games. We were ahead in the fourth quarter against Colorado State and UNLV, and we were also close against Fresno State and Louisiana Tech," Tormey said. "Coming close doesn't help you. Making plays in the fourth quarter and winning helps you."
Tormey, now in his fourth year at Reno after five seasons as the head man at Idaho, is done making the rebuilding excuses. The long-term plan is falling into place, as Nevada returns 18 starters and was able to redshirt most of its freshmen last year.
The Wolf Pack also possesses star power, with players like junior running back Chance Kretschmer (6-foot-1, 226 pounds) and senior defensive end Jorge Cordova (6-2, 250). Kretschmer led the nation in rushing two years ago, and Cordova is the Western Athletic Conference preseason defensive player of the year.
Cordova is among a group of 19 players starting their final go-round that Tormey is depending upon for leadership and performance.
"This senior class has to play at a very high level. There are players who have the chance to be dominant players. They've paid the price, they've worked hard. Now they have to step up and play."
With all his talk about senior leadership though, Tormey still has a relatively young team -- and a very green quarterback. He named sophomore Jeff Rowe (6-5, 209) the starter Sunday. Rowe completed 17 of 26 passes for 138 yards in backup duty last year. Junior Andy Heiser (6-1, 186) will also see some duty, Tormey said.
Junior Chris Hines (6-2, 299) won a camp competition for the left guard job; the other starters are senior left tackle Alan Parker (6-5, 314), sophomore center Kyle Gosselin (6-5, 280), senior right guard Isaiah Ross (6-3, 322) and junior right tackle Harvey Dahl (6-5, 309). Sophomore Anthony Pudewell (6-4, 250) is the tight end.
Senior Tim Fleming (6-1, 184) is Nevada's top receiver with Nate Burleson's advancement to the NFL. But Fleming is battling a sore shoulder and might not play Saturday against Southern Utah. The other pass-catchers are talented JC transfer Willie Johnson (6-4, 195), sophomore Nichiren Flowers (6-3, 202) and junior Del McGee (6-0, 195).
Nevada was 97th in the nation in defense in 2002, yielding 419.6 yards per game. That number should improve just because Kretschmer is back to eat up yards and the clock; he missed most of last season with a knee injury.
Cordova figures to make a more direct contribution, since he led the WAC in sacks last year with nine. He is joined up front by sophomore J.J. Milan at end and senior Derek Kennard Jr. (6-1, 285) and junior Chris Barry (6-3, 294) at the tackles.
Senior Daryl Towns (6-1, 230), sophomore Logan Carter (6-3, 215) and junior Carl LaGrone are the starting linebackers. Senior Ronnie Hardiman (6-0, 195) tries to bounce back after injuries last year. He and junior Keone Kauo (5-11, 188) could be one of the league's best safety tandems. Senior Ali Jones (6-1, 198) and sophomore Chris Handy (5-11, 198) are at the corners.
Hardiman is slated to return kicks and junior Marlon McLaughlin (5-10, 180) takes care of punts. Senior punter Derek Jones led the WAC in punting last year with a 40.9 average (Hawaii's Mat McBriar didn't have enough kicks to qualify). Senior kicker Damon Fine hasn't quite lived up to his name, making only 10 of 17 field goals last year. Tormey is looking for improvement from the kicking game.
"We have yet to win a game with a big special teams play," he said.
Many are pegging Nevada as a team that can turn the WAC's big three of Boise State, Fresno State and Hawaii into a party of four.
Mackay Stadium finally has lights and Nevada will host three night games. Are the Wolf Pack players ready for the glare?
Nevada Wolf Pack
2003 schedule
Aug. 30 Southern Utah Sept. 6 at Oregon Sept. 18 at San Jose State Sept. 27 Southern Methodist Oct. 4 UNLV Oct. 11 at Washington Oct. 18 at Tulsa Oct. 25 Louisiana Tech Nov. 1 at Rice Nov. 8 Fresno State Nov. 15 Hawaii Nov. 29 at Boise State
2002 results
5-7 overall, 4-4 WAC
Aug. 31 Washington State, at Seattle L, 7-31 Sept. 14 Brigham Young W, 31-28 Sept. 21 Rice W, 31-21 Sept. 28 Colorado State L, 28-32 Oct. 5 at UNLV L, 17-21 Oct. 12 at Hawaii L, 34-59 Oct. 19 San Jose State W, 52-24 Oct. 26 at Louisiana Tech L, 47-50 Nov. 2 at Southern Methodist W, 24-6 Nov. 9 Texas-El Paso W, 23-17 Nov. 16 at Fresno State L, 30-38 Nov. 23 Boise State L, 7-44
