Game Day Primer / Sat, Nov 7
AWAY TEAM
7–1
HOME TEAM
3–5
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01 / Why this game matters
New Mexico finally has a number next to its name. Now the No. 22 Lobos have to win somewhere they never have: Reno. Nevada just got shut out at UCLA, but its defense gives the Wolf Pack a chance to spoil the celebration. Watch whether New Mexico can keep running the ball without asking quarterback to rescue difficult passing downs.
02 / Know these people
Scottre Humphrey / The running back to find near the goal line
New Mexico · Running Back (RB)
The New Mexico back has 11 rushing touchdowns on 111 carries. When the Lobos get close, watch whether Nevada can get him on the ground before he gets a second push.
EJ Smith / The linebacker meeting the running game head-on
Nevada · Linebacker (LB)
Nevada’s leading tackler has 85 stops. Against a team that averages more than 200 rushing yards, where he makes those tackles matters: near the line is a win; several yards downfield keeps New Mexico comfortable.
03 / Watch for this
Watch where Nevada linebacker first reaches New Mexico running back . If is already several yards downfield, the Lobos can keep handing it to him.
04 / Sound smart
New Mexico has never won in Reno. Its best result there was a 0-0 tie in 1942. Surely we can improve on the entertainment value tonight.
The central storyline
New Mexico finally has a number next to its name. Now the No. 22 Lobos have to win somewhere they never have: Reno. Nevada just got shut out at UCLA, but its defense gives the Wolf Pack a chance to spoil the celebration. Watch whether New Mexico can keep running the ball without asking quarterback to rescue difficult passing downs.
A read on both sides
New Mexico
Team vibe
New Mexico is 7-1 and 4-0 in the Mountain West, with five straight wins since a 14-6 loss at Oklahoma. The Lobos run for 213.1 yards a game and allow just 11.9 points. The recent games have been tighter than those averages suggest: three straight wins with exactly 21 points, including 21-16 at San José State. This team has learned to win when the offense isn't putting on a show.
Nevada
Team vibe
Nevada is 3-5 and 2-2 in the Mountain West. A 28-13 win over San José State showed what the Wolf Pack can do; the 27-0 loss at UCLA showed how little room its defense has for help from the offense to disappear. Nevada allows 156.9 passing yards per game, but New Mexico would much rather run. Running back , with 588 rushing yards, gives Nevada its own way to keep the ball moving.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: New Mexico running back as he reaches the line with the ball.
If you see it: He gets several yards before a Nevada defender wraps him up.
Here's what it means: New Mexico can keep using its ground game and avoid asking its quarterback to make the harder throws.
On screen
Look for: New Mexico quarterback when he drops back to pass.
If you see it: He holds the ball after his first look instead of releasing it.
Here's what it means: Nevada may have taken away the easy throw. This is when a sack or a forced pass could give the Wolf Pack an opening.
The central storyline
New Mexico finally has a number next to its name. Now the No. 22 Lobos have to win somewhere they never have: Reno. Nevada just got shut out at UCLA, but its defense gives the Wolf Pack a chance to spoil the celebration. Watch whether New Mexico can keep running the ball without asking quarterback to rescue difficult passing downs.
A read on both sides
New Mexico
Team vibe
New Mexico is 7-1 and 4-0 in the Mountain West, with five straight wins since a 14-6 loss at Oklahoma. The Lobos run for 213.1 yards a game and allow just 11.9 points. The recent games have been tighter than those averages suggest: three straight wins with exactly 21 points, including 21-16 at San José State. This team has learned to win when the offense isn't putting on a show.
Nevada
Team vibe
Nevada is 3-5 and 2-2 in the Mountain West. A 28-13 win over San José State showed what the Wolf Pack can do; the 27-0 loss at UCLA showed how little room its defense has for help from the offense to disappear. Nevada allows 156.9 passing yards per game, but New Mexico would much rather run. Running back , with 588 rushing yards, gives Nevada its own way to keep the ball moving.
Current storylines
Teach Me What to Notice
On screen
Look for: New Mexico running back as he reaches the line with the ball.
If you see it: He gets several yards before a Nevada defender wraps him up.
Here's what it means: New Mexico can keep using its ground game and avoid asking its quarterback to make the harder throws.
On screen
Look for: New Mexico quarterback when he drops back to pass.
If you see it: He holds the ball after his first look instead of releasing it.
Here's what it means: Nevada may have taken away the easy throw. This is when a sack or a forced pass could give the Wolf Pack an opening.
Players & Coaches
Players & Coaches
New Mexico · Running Back (RB)
The New Mexico back has 11 rushing touchdowns on 111 carries. When the Lobos get close, watch whether Nevada can get him on the ground before he gets a second push.
Players & Coaches
Nevada · Linebacker (LB)
Nevada’s leading tackler has 85 stops. Against a team that averages more than 200 rushing yards, where he makes those tackles matters: near the line is a win; several yards downfield keeps New Mexico comfortable.
Players & Coaches
New Mexico · Quarterback (QB)
New Mexico’s passer has six touchdown passes and seven interceptions. Forcing him into obvious passing situations gives Nevada a better opening than letting the Lobos choose between a run and a throw.
Players & Coaches
Nevada · Running Back (RB)
Nevada’s leading rusher has 588 yards and five touchdowns. New Mexico allows only 81.6 rushing yards per game. With Friday’s starting quarterback still unconfirmed, getting Kelley through that first wave would help whoever takes the snaps.
The Stakes
New Mexico can protect its unbeaten conference record and turn its first week as a ranked team into another road win. Nevada needs an upset to make its pursuit of six wins less unforgiving.
Why it matters
Nevada’s best chance starts with making New Mexico earn its passing yards. If the Wolf Pack can stop the run early in a possession, has to make the throws his six-touchdown, seven-interception season suggests are far from automatic. But that only matters if Nevada’s offense holds up its end. Another night of empty possessions would ask too much of the defense.
History & Context
History & Context
New Mexico is 0-4-1 at Nevada. The tie was 0-0 in 1942. Last year the Lobos won 24-22 in Albuquerque; now they have to finish the job on the road.
Conversation Starters
Conversation Starters
New Mexico has never won in Reno. Its best result there was a 0-0 tie in 1942. Surely we can improve on the entertainment value tonight.
Conversation Starters
The Lobos have scored exactly 21 in three straight wins. Is 21 their magic number again?
Conversation Starters
Nevada needs three wins in its last four games. Beating a ranked team would be quite a way to start.