2020 Nevada Wolf Pack football team explained
The 2020 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolf Pack were led by fourth–year head coach Jay Norvell and played their home games at Mackay Stadium. They were members of the Mountain West Conference.[1]
On August 10, 2020, the Mountain West Conference suspended all sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] On September 24, the conference announced that the football season would begin on October 24.[3]
Preseason
Award watch lists
Mountain West media days
The Mountain West media days were originally scheduled on July 16–17, 2020, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, but were canceled in favor of virtual media days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[12] The virtual media days that were scheduled to take place on July 27–29, 2020, were also canceled.[13]
Media poll
The preseason poll was released on July 21, 2020. The Wolf Pack were predicted to finish in second place in the MW West Division.[14] The divisions were later suspended for the 2020 season.
West| 1 | San Diego State | 122 (19) |
| 2 | Nevada | 100 (2) |
| 3 | Hawaii | 74 |
| 4 | Fresno State | 73 |
| 5 | San Jose State | 43 |
| 6 | UNLV | 29 | |
Mountain| 1 | Boise State | 125 (20) |
| 2 | Wyoming | 90 (1) |
| 3 | Air Force | 86 |
| 4 | Utah State | 60 |
| 5 | Colorado State | 59 |
| 6 | New Mexico | 21 | |
Preseason All−Mountain West Team
The Wolf Pack had two players selected to the preseason All−Mountain West Team; one from the offense and one from the defense.[15]
Offense
Brandon Talton – PKDefense
Dom Peterson – DL
Schedule
Revised
Personnel
Depth chart
| † | As of November 30, 2020 | |
Game summaries
Wyoming
See also: 2020 Wyoming Cowboys football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| WYO –3 | 54[16] | |
| Statistics | Wyoming | Nevada |
|---|
| First downs | 19 | 25 |
| Total yards | 361 | 496 |
| Rushing yards | 128 | 76 |
| Passing yards | 233 | 420 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 25:02 | 34:58 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Wyoming | Passing | Levi Williams | 16/31, 227 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Xazavian Valladay | 22 carries, 87 yards |
| Receiving | | 3 receptions, 102 yards |
| Nevada | Passing | | 39/52, 420 yards, 4 TDs |
| Rushing | Devonte Lee | 18 carries, 65 yards |
| Receiving | | 7 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TDs | |
At UNLV
See also: 2020 UNLV Rebels football team and Fremont Cannon.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| NEV –14 | 59[17] | |
| Statistics | Nevada | UNLV |
|---|
| First downs | 22 | 22 |
| Total yards | 497 | 348 |
| Rushing yards | 147 | 126 |
| Passing yards | 350 | 222 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 27:36 | 32:24 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Nevada | Passing | Carson Strong | 21/27, 350 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Toa Taua | 12 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 7 receptions, 219 yards, 1 TD |
| UNLV | Passing | Max Gilliam | 27/40, 207 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Charles Williams | 19 carries, 99 yards |
| Receiving | Tyleek Collins | 5 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD | |
Utah State
See also: 2020 Utah State Aggies football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| NEV –17 | 58.5[18] | |
| Statistics | Utah State | Nevada |
|---|
| First downs | 11 | 27 |
| Total yards | 210 | 542 |
| Rushing yards | 109 | 121 |
| Passing yards | 101 | 421 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 23:16 | 36:44 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Utah State | Passing | Jason Shelley | 15/27, 96 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Jason Shelley | 7 carries, 34 yards |
| Receiving | | 6 receptions, 30 yards |
| Nevada | Passing | Carson Strong | 36/52, 411 yards, 3 TDs |
| Rushing | Toa Taua | 12 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Romeo Doubs | 7 receptions, 137 yards, 3 TDs | |
At New Mexico
See also: 2020 New Mexico Lobos football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| NEV –17.5 | 63[19] | |
| Statistics | Nevada | New Mexico |
|---|
| First downs | 19 | 21 |
| Total yards | 392 | 352 |
| Rushing yards | 52 | 141 |
| Passing yards | 340 | 211 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 27:45 | 32:15 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Nevada | Passing | Carson Strong | 24/38, 336 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Toa Taua | 15 carries, 62 yards |
| Receiving | Romeo Doubs | 5 receptions, 172 yards, 3 TDs |
| New Mexico | Passing | Trae Hall | 17/32, 195 yards, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Bobby Cole | 17 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Emmanuel Logan–Greene | 5 receptions, 56 yards | |
San Diego State
See also: 2020 San Diego State Aztecs football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| SDSU –1.5 | 46.5[20] | |
| Statistics | San Diego State | Nevada |
|---|
| First downs | 16 | 19 |
| Total yards | 293 | 376 |
| Rushing yards | 109 | 88 |
| Passing yards | 184 | 288 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 27:07 | 32:53 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| San Diego State | Passing | Lucas Johnson | 14/24, 184 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Chance Bell | 11 carries, 42 yards |
| Receiving | Jesse Matthews | 5 receptions, 80 yards |
| Nevada | Passing | Carson Strong | 31/46, 288 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Toa Taua | 13 carries, 52 yards |
| Receiving | Romeo Doubs | 5 receptions, 133 yards, 1 TD | |
At Hawaii
See also: 2020 Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| NEV –7 | 63[21] | |
| Statistics | Nevada | Hawaii |
|---|
| First downs | 23 | 25 |
| Total yards | 376 | 365 |
| Rushing yards | 208 | 119 |
| Passing yards | 168 | 246 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 32:07 | 27:53 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Nevada | Passing | Carson Strong | 20/25, 168 yards, 2 TDs |
| Rushing | Toa Taua | 20 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | Cole Turner | 6 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD |
| Hawaii | Passing | | 26/32, 246 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Chevan Cordeiro | 15 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 10 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD | |
Fresno State
See also: 2020 Fresno State Bulldogs football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| NEV –6.5 | 59[22] | |
| Statistics | Fresno State | Nevada |
|---|
| First downs | 30 | 14 |
| Total yards | 599 | 416 |
| Rushing yards | 114 | 62 |
| Passing yards | 485 | 354 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 35:01 | 24:59 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Fresno State | Passing | | 41/65, 485 yards, 2 TD |
| Rushing | | 14 carries, 69 yards |
| Receiving | Keric Wheatfall | 6 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Passing | Carson Strong | 23/39, 354 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Rushing | Toa Taua | 11 carries, 39 yards |
| Receiving | Tory Horton | 5 receptions, 148 yards, 3 TDs | |
Vs. San Jose State
See also: 2020 San Jose State Spartans football team.
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| NEV –2.5 | 61.5[23] | |
| Statistics | Nevada | San Jose State |
|---|
| First downs | 24 | 18 |
| Total yards | 398 | 506 |
| Rushing yards | 138 | 200 |
| Passing yards | 260 | 306 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 31:43 | 28:17 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Nevada | Passing | Carson Strong | 33/48, 260 yards, 1 TD |
| Rushing | Toa Taua | 11 carries, 96 yards |
| Receiving | Romeo Doubs | 9 receptions, 75 yards |
| San Jose State | Passing | | 20/30, 306 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Rushing | Tyler Nevens | 12 carries, 184 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 7 receptions, 156 yards | |
Vs. Tulane (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
See also: 2020 Tulane Green Wave football team and 2020 Famous Idaho Potato Bowl (December).
| style= | Pregame line! | style= | Over/under |
|---|
| TULN –1 | 56.5[24] | |
| Statistics | Tulane | Nevada |
|---|
| First downs | 18 | 21 |
| Total yards | 365 | 480 |
| Rushing yards | 197 | 209 |
| Passing yards | 168 | 271 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 23:50 | 36:10 |
|
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
|---|
| Tulane | Passing | | 12/25, 168 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs |
| Rushing | Cameron Carroll | 10 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD |
| Receiving | | 2 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Passing | Carson Strong | 22/28, 271 yards, 5 TDs |
| Rushing | Devonte Lee | 18 carries, 105 yards |
| Receiving | Toa Taua | 6 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD | |
Notes and References
- Web site: 2020 Nevada Football Schedule. December 11, 2019.
- Web site: Mountain West Postpones 2020 Fall Sports. TheMW.com. August 10, 2020. August 11, 2020.
- 2020 Mountain West Football Season to Begin on October 24. themw.com. September 25, 2020. November 12, 2020.
- Web site: Peterson on Chuck Bednarik Preseason Watch List. University of Nevada Athletics. August 2, 2021.
- Web site: Taua on Doak Walker Preseason Watch List. University of Nevada Athletics. August 2, 2021.
- Web site: Cooks on Fred Biletnikoff Preseason Watch List. University of Nevada Athletics. August 2, 2021.
- Web site: Peterson on Bronko Nagurski Preseason Watch List. University of Nevada Athletics. August 2, 2021.
- Web site: 2020 Outland Trophy Watch List Unveiled. July 21, 2020. Football Writers Association of America. August 8, 2020.
- Web site: Talton on Lou Groza Preseason Watch List. University of Nevada Athletics. August 2, 2021.
- Web site: Taua on Paul Hornung Preseason Watch List and Hall on Wuerffel Trophy Watch List. University of Nevada Athletics. August 2, 2021.
- Web site: Strong on Maxwell Preseason Watch List. University of Nevada Athletics. August 2, 2021.
- News: Khan Jr.. Sam. Mountain West, MAC planning virtual preseason media days. April 29, 2020. ESPN. January 8, 2021.
- News: Mountain West Postpones 2020 Football Virtual Media Days. July 20, 2020. Mountain West Conference. August 8, 2020.
- News: Boise State, San Diego State Picked to Win 2020 Mountain West Football Divisional Titles. July 21, 2020. Mountain West Conference. August 8, 2020.
- Web site: 2020 Mountain West Football Preseason All−Conference Team. July 22, 2020. Mountain West Conference. August 8, 2020.
- Web site: Wyoming Cowboys vs Nevada Wolf Pack. Odds Shark. November 6, 2020. en.
- Web site: Nevada Wolf Pack vs UNLV Rebels. Odds Shark. November 6, 2020. en.
- Web site: Utah State Aggies vs Nevada Wolf Pack. Odds Shark. November 6, 2020. en.
- Web site: Nevada Wolf Pack vs New Mexico Lobos. Odds Shark. November 14, 2020. en.
- Web site: San Diego State Aztecs vs Nevada Wolf Pack. Odds Shark. November 18, 2020. en.
- Web site: Nevada Wolf Pack vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. Odds Shark. November 24, 2020. en.
- Web site: Fresno State Bulldogs vs Nevada Wolf Pack. Odds Shark. December 2, 2020. en.
- Web site: Nevada Wolf Pack vs San Jose State Spartans. Odds Shark. December 8, 2020. en.
- Web site: Tulane Green Wave vs Nevada Wolf Pack. Odds Shark. December 17, 2020. en.
