Tigers will look to spread Pack defense
Coach Chris Ault said he has never felt more comfortable in his defensive backfield than he did after Saturday’s 35-19 loss to Texas Tech. Nevada held the Red Raiders to 297 yards passing, which was 178 yards less than Texas Tech averaged per game last season (475).
The Wolf Pack proved it could compete with a dominant spread offense, but the team has one week to prove it can do it again. Missouri’s offense, led by senior quarterback Chase Daniel, has already scored 104 points in its first two games of the season. It’s going to be another battle against a high-scoring, no-huddle, spread offense of the Big-12.
More spread offense
This week’s film session and scout team for Nevada will be similar to last week’s. The Tigers do a lot of the same things Texas Tech does.
Missouri’s offense is a little more run-oriented than Texas Tech, but it still passes the ball a lot in the spread formation. The Tigers averaged 45 pass attempts per game last year with 41 rushing attempts, which is much more balanced than the Red Raiders 3-1 pass-to-run ratio.
The Tigers’ main problem is replacing last year’s team leading rusher Tony Temple, who ran for 1,039 yards. Sophomore Derrick Washington and senior Jimmy Jackson have picked up the pace this season with 307 combined rushing yards.
The Tigers also like to spread the offensive linemen further apart than most teams do: three-and-a-half feet apart. This opens up running lanes for the backs and the quarterbacks as well as passing lanes for Daniel. It also makes it difficult for Nevada’s defensive lineman to get around the Tigers offensive line and attack the quarterback.
Like the Red Raiders, the Tigers also run the no-huddle. Saturday’s game was good practice for the Wolf Pack. Nevada’s athletic defenders had no problem combating the no-huddle for the first three quarters. The Wolf Pack will have to play a full 60 minutes Saturday against the Tigers.
Build on successes
Nevada outplayed Texas Tech on offense and defense Saturday, but couldn’t get the win. The Wolf Pack has to bring the same intensity and ability it brought last weekend. It was amazing to see Uche Anyanwu magnetize toward the ball; Antoine Thompson’s draping of receivers and Dontay Moch’s speed on the defensive lines outside was also promising. These guys and others proved the Wolf Pack’s defense is not only improved, but also capable of banging with the big boys.
The offense proved that it could move the ball down field, but it has to score. The Wolf Pack could only grab three field goals in five trips inside Texas Tech’s 20-yard line. Nevada needs to produce in the red zone and try the deep ball more for the quick score.
Time to go deep
Marko Mitchell showcased the ability to get open on deep routes and make big plays Saturday. With 10:30 left in the fourth quarter, quarterback Colin Kaepernick spotted Mitchell on a deep route near the south sideline. Mitchell grabbed the ball to complete a 48-yard touchdown play: Nevada’s longest play of the game. Kaepernick has to be able to spot Mitchell more often for deep plays, especially against the Tigers this weekend. If the Wolf Pack is to upset the No. 6 Tigers, it will need some quick scores along with the long drives it had Saturday.
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