Nevada Wolf Pack
Mountain West
It looked like Nevada got off to a nice start with a win at California. But it turns out that is not that good of a win. After a loss to South Florida, the Wolf Pack strung together five consecutive wins. But the schedule was pretty weak and this team lost to all four other bowl eligible teams from the Mountain West. Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Air Force were the obvious best four teams in the conference. After Nevada, there was a huge drop off this season and those are the only teams Nevada managed to beat.
2012 Record: 7-5, 4-4
Coach: Chris Ault
Coach Bowl Record: 2-7
Big Wins: 9/1 at California (31-24), 11/17 at New Mexico (31-24)
Bad Losses: 9/8 USF (31-32), 11/10 Fresno State (36-52)
Strengths:
The Wolf Pack offense is as explosive and dynamic as ever. Quarterback Cody Fajardo has taken the next step and turned into a consistent and extremely effective signal caller. Fajardo has thrown for 2,530 yards and 17 touchdowns on the season, while being intercepted just seven times. Receivers Brandon Wimberly and Richy Turner are Fajardo’s favorite targets, but sophomore Aaron Bradley has had some great games and tight end Zach Sudfeld is a big 6-7 target in the red zone. Improving as a passer, Fajardo is still known for what he can do with his legs. On the year he rushed for 981 yards and 11 scores. While Fajardo certainly helps the Wolf Pack’s seventh ranked rush offense, Stefphon Jefferson is the workhorse. He surpassed the 1,700 yard mark and rushed for an impressive 22 touchdowns. Nevada has the ability to grind it out with Jefferson or air it out with Fajardo. No matter what Coach Chris Ault needs his team to do, they can usually get it done.
Weaknesses:
Nevada gives up a lot of points. The closest they have come to a shutout all year long was a 21 point effort against Texas State. It makes no difference who the opponent is; Nevada is going to allow quite a few points. This is a team that will get involved in a shootout against anybody. And that is usually alright since Nevada has the firepower to outscore just about anybody. But Nevada is going to have to get some turnovers out of the defense if they hope to leave New Mexico with a bowl victory. And that may be more difficult than it seems. Nevada has intercepted just four passes all season long. That is an amazingly low number. Big hitters like Duke Williams, Lenny Jones and Brock Herring can force fumbles though and that might be the only way the Wolf Pack can win the turnover battle and the game.
Statistical Leaders:
Rushing: Stefphon Jefferson, RB, 1,703 yards
Passing: Cody Fajardo, QB, 2,530 yards
Receiving: Brandon Wimberly, WR, 788 yards
Tackles: Albert Rosette, LB, 128
Sacks: Brock Hekking, DE, 8.0
Interceptions: Khalid Wooten, CB, 2
2012 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 263.00 (7th in nation, 3rd in conference)
Passing Offense: 246.45 (52, 3)
Total Offense: 509.45 (10, 1)
Scoring Offense: 38.45 (16, 2)
Rushing Defense: 213.00 (111, 9)
Pass Defense: 217.91 (40, 6)
Total Defense: 430.91 (86, 7)
Scoring Defense: 33.00 (95, 8)
Turnover Margin: -.18 (71, 6)
Sacks: 1.82 (73, 5)
Sacks Allowed: 1.36 (32, 4)
Recent Bowl Appearances:
2011 Hawaii Bowl Southern Mississippi (17-24)
2010 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl Boston College (20-13)
2009 Hawaii Bowl SMU (10-45)
2008 Humanitarian Bowl Maryland (35-42)
2007 New Mexico Bowl New Mexico (0-23)
*all team stats through 11/24
