The Wolf Pack took on University of Idaho in their home opener on Sept. 9, losing to the Vandals 33-6 — starting the season 0-2 for the first time in six years.
Nevada quickly fell into a deficit in the first quarter. In the first play of the game, the Pack defense let Turon Ivy Jr., Idaho running back, run for a 75-yard touchdown. While Nevada tried to answer back with a touchdown of their own in their first drive, they were stopped in the red zone, settling for a field goal.
For the rest of the quarter, aside from the last play of the game, neither team would score. Both Nevada and Idaho committed a turnover and had one 3-and-out each: Nevada’s interception by Idaho linebacker from AJ Bianco, Nevada quarterback, and Idaho’s fumble by Anthony Woods which was recovered by Drue Watts. The silence was broken by the Vandals, as with the time expiring, Nick Romano, Idaho running back, ran for a 15-yard touchdown. After one, Nevada trailed 14-3.
The second quarter was much more inactive compared to the first. In the longest drive of the game with 15 plays, Nevada would score their second field goal to open the quarter. Both teams wouldn’t see the other side of the field until the Vandals’ last drive of the half, where the Wolf Pack stopped Idaho at the Nevada nine yard line, only allowing a field goal as the time expired. With one half in the books, the Pack was down 17-6.
Nevada stumbled coming back from halftime. After the offense went three-and-out in their first drive, the Wolf Pack defense was quickly picked apart, as the Vandals marched down the field for a touchdown in two minutes, 20 seconds. Nevada would allow one more field goal while turning the ball over on downs and throwing another interception, this time from Brendon Lewis, quarterback. As the game went into the final quarter, Nevada trailed 27-6.
The fourth quarter was the nail in the coffin for the Pack. Although the Vandals were still able to get two more scores before time expired, Nevada’s defense was able to keep Idaho from getting past the Nevada 12 yard line, holding them to field goals for the rest of the game. Meanwhile, the Pack offense was still silent. Even when it seemed like they were mounting a push, Nevada was stopped in their tracks, turning the ball over on downs again while fumbling the ball and turning it over in their last drive of the game. When the dust settled, the Wolf Pack would be on the losing side 33-6.
With this loss, the Nevada football team stands at 0-2 for the season, marking the first time the program has started their season with two losses since 2017. Their next game is on Saturday, Sept. 16, where the team will take on Big 12 conference powerhouse Kansas University in Mackay Stadium at 7:30 pm.
Derek Raridon can be reached via email at draridon@sagebrush.unr.edu or via Twitter @RaridonDerek.
