Editor's note: This is the 12th in a series previewing each of the opponents BYU, Utah and Utah State will face this season.
The matchup
Nevada at Utah State, Nov. 21
Time, TV TBA
Maverik Stadium, Logan
There are some big holes to fill for Nevada in the 2015 season, the largest being the departure of four-year starting quarterback Cody Fajardo.
How fast the Wolf Pack is able to get Fajardo's replacement to successfully run the offense could play a determining factor in if the team makes the postseason for the 10th time in the past 11 seasons.
At the same time, there's enough experience at other positions that suggests Nevada could challenge San Diego State and Fresno State for the Mountain West's West Division title.
Utah State and Nevada play for the first time since 2011, when both were members of the Western Athletic Conference. The late-November tilt could prove vital for both squads in the Mountain West division races.
The Deseret News caught up with Chris Murray, Nevada football beat writer for the Reno Gazette-Journal, to discuss Nevada's search for a starting quarterback and what expectations the Wolf Pack have for the 2015 season.
DN: Who do you see replacing Cody Fajardo at quarterback?
CM: It’s an open race until a couple of weeks before the season, but junior Tyler Stewart, who played as a freshman but didn’t have a single pass attempt last year, is the frontrunner, with youngsters Dante Mayes, a sophomore, and redshirt freshman Hunter Fralick chasing him. Mayes and Fralick are better fits in the Pistol offense given their dual-threat abilities, but Stewart isn’t incapable of running, either. At 6-foot-4 and with a strong arm, Stewart also has the most experience in the offense. In his one career start, as a freshman against Hawaii, Stewart was 14-of-20 for 202 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in a lopsided win. I’d be surprised if he doesn’t start the season opener, although with early season games against Texas A&M and Arizona behind a young offensive line, it might be hard to keep that job with some young talent behind him.
DN: Who else should we pay attention to on offense?
CM: Hasaan Henderson is a converted quarterback entering his third season as a receiver. He’s 6-5 and has great ball skills. Henderson suffered a head concussion and spinal concussion that included some nerve damage that ended his 2014 season early (the Wolf Pack’s passing game tanked after his injury). But he’s back to full strength and should have a breakout junior season. He caught 45 passes for 579 yards and four touchdowns last year and could push for 1,000 yards this season. Nevada’s running backs — senior Don Jackson and sophomore James Butler — also should have a good season. They’ll split carries, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see both hit 1,000 yards as long as the offensive line is competent. Tight end Jarred Gipson is the only returning all-league player on offense.
DN: Who are the players to watch on defense and special teams?
CM: The defensive front seven is the team’s strength. The biggest name is Ian Seau, a second-team All-Mountain West pick and the nephew of Junior Seau. A defensive end, he had 8.5 sacks, 10.5 tackles for loss and an interception returned for a touchdown last season. Defensive tackle Rykeem Yates might be the most impressive interior defensive lineman in the MW but he’s had discipline issues. If he’s matured, he could be the best defensive player in the conference. The linebacker corps — Matthew Lyons, Jordan Dobrich and Bryan Lane Jr. — is experienced and need to be a strength. On special teams, K Brent Zuzo is solid (28-of-35 in his career) and P Alex Boy, who averaged 44.3 yards per punt in 2014, was second-team All-MW last season.
DN: What question marks remain headed into fall camp?
CM: The quarterback is the big question mark and the offensive line and secondary also carry questions. Of the projected starting five on the offensive line, four came to Nevada as walk-ons. That’s not ideal. In the secondary, Nevada lost its two starting cornerbacks and one safety and moved the other starting safety to backup linebacker, so there are four open starting positions among a young set of defensive backs. Those positions need to be sorted out before the season opener.
DN: What is your overall outlook on Nevada?
CM: More than previous years, there seems to be a wide spectrum of potential finishing records. Nevada has question marks at quarterback and on the offensive line and that usually isn’t a good sign. However, the defensive front seven should be well above average, the running backs are good and the schedule is very easy. Outside of games against Arizona, at home, and Texas A&M, on the road, the other 10 games are highly winnable as Nevada didn’t draw Boise State, Colorado State or Air Force from the Mountain Division on its 2015 schedule. The West Division looks weak again this year, so the Wolf Pack could win the division if it gets good play at quarterback and up front on the line. I’m guessing a six- or seven-win season and second- or third-place finish in the West.