2021 Nevada Wolf Pack football team

Summary

The 2021 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno, in the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolf Pack were led by fifth–year head coach Jay Norvell and played their home games at Mackay Stadium. They competed as members of the West Division of the Mountain West Conference.

2021 Nevada Wolf Pack football
ConferenceMountain West Conference
DivisionWest Division
Record8–5 (5–3 MW)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorMatt Mumme (5th season)
Offensive schemeAir raid
Defensive coordinatorBrian Ward (2nd season)
Base defenseMultiple
Captains
Seasons
← 2020
2022 →
2021 Mountain West Conference football standings
Conf Overall
Team   W   L     W   L  
Mountain Division
No. 24 Utah State xy$   6 2     11 3  
Air Force x   6 2     10 3  
Boise State   5 3     7 5  
Wyoming   2 6     7 6  
Colorado State   2 6     3 9  
New Mexico   1 7     3 9  
West Division
No. 25 San Diego State xy   7 1     12 2  
Fresno State   6 2     10 3  
Nevada   5 3     8 5  
Hawaii   3 5     6 7  
San Jose State   3 5     5 7  
UNLV   2 6     2 10  
Championship: Utah State 46, San Diego State 13
  • $ – Conference champion
  • x – Division champion/co-champions
  • y – Championship game participant
Rankings from AP Poll

Preseason edit

Award watch lists edit

Listed in the order they were released

Award Player Position Year
Maxwell Award[1] Romeo Doubs WR SR
Carson Strong QB JR
Chuck Bednarik Award[2] Lawson Hall LB FY
Davey O'Brien Award[3] Carson Strong QB JR
Fred Biletnikoff Award[4] Elijah Cooks WR GS
Romeo Doubs SR
Cole Turner TE
Rimington Trophy[5] Tyler Orsini OL GS
John Mackey Award[5] Cole Turner TE SR
Jim Thorpe Award[6] Berdale Robins DB FY
Lou Groza Award[7] Brandon Talton PK JR
Paul Hornung Award[8] Romeo Doubs WR SR
Manning Award[9] Carson Strong QB JR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award[10]

Mountain West media days edit

The Mountain West media days were held on July 21–22, 2021, at the Cosmopolitan in Paradise, Nevada.

Media poll edit

The preseason poll was released on July 21, 2021. The Wolf Pack were predicted to finish in first place in the MW West Division.[11]

West
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Nevada 141 (19)
2 San Jose State 121 (5)
3 San Diego State 96
4 Fresno State 85 (1)
5 Hawaii 56
6 UNLV 26
Mountain
Predicted finish Team Votes (1st place)
1 Boise State 148 (23)
2 Wyoming 115 (2)
3 Air Force 104
4 Colorado State 72
5 Utah State 47
6 New Mexico 39

Preseason All-Mountain West Team edit

The Wolf Pack had four players selected to the preseason All–Mountain West Team; three from the offense and one from the specialists.[12]

Schedule edit

DateTimeOpponentSiteTVResultAttendance
September 47:30 p.m.at California*FS1W 22–1735,117
September 117:30 p.m.Idaho State*KNSN-TV/StadiumW 49–1023,965
September 1811:00 a.m.at Kansas State*ESPN+L 17–3848,768
October 212:30 p.m.at Boise StateFS1W 41–3137,426
October 97:30 p.m.New Mexico State*
  • Mackay Stadium
  • Reno, NV
CBSSNW 55–2821,448
October 167:30 p.m.Hawaii 
  • Mackay Stadium
  • Reno, NV
CBSSNW 34–1722,098
October 234:00 p.m.at Fresno StateFS1L 32–3433,012
October 297:00 p.m.UNLVCBSSNW 51–2028,960
November 67:00 p.m.San Jose State
  • Mackay Stadium
  • Reno, NV
FS2W 27–2417,770
November 137:30 p.m.at No. 22 San Diego StateCBSSNL 21–2311,821
November 196:00 p.m.Air Force
  • Mackay Stadium
  • Reno, NV
FS1L 39–41 3OT15,206
November 276:00 p.m.at Colorado StateCBSSNW 52–1017,465
December 278:00 a.m.vs. Western Michigan*ESPNL 24–5222,321

Source: [13]

Rankings edit

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314Final
APRVRVRVRV
CoachesRVRVRVRVRVRVRV
CFPNot releasedNot released

Personnel edit

2021 Nevada Wolf Pack football team roster
Players Coaches
Offense
Pos. # Name Class
WR 1 Melquan Stovall Jr
RB 2 Devonte Lee Sr
WR 3 Jamaal Bell So
WR 4 Elijah Cooks GS
QB 6 Hamish McClure Jr
WR 7 Romeo Doubs Sr
QB 10 Drew Scolari Fr
QB 11 Clay Millen Fr
QB 12 Carson Strong (C) Jr
WR 13 Carson Walters Jr
QB 14 Jake Barlage Jr
TE 15 Henry Ikahihifo So
QB 16 Nate Cox Sr
WR 17 Justin Lockhart Jr
QB 18 Jonah Chong So
TE 19 Cole Turner Sr
WR 20 Jeshua Fixel   So
WR 20 Tory Horton So
RB 22 Ty Collins Fr
RB 23 Jacques Badolato–Birdsell Fr
WR 24 Tyrese Mack Fr
RB 25 Avery Morrow So
RB 26 Terrell Johnson Sr
TE 31 Reagan Roberson GS
RB 32 Wesley Kommer So
RB 33 Dylan Overstreet Fr
RB 35 Toa Taua Sr
OL 54 Jermaine Ledbetter (C) GS
OL 55 Tyler Orsini GS
OL 56 Zac Welch   Fr
OL 58 Trevyn Heil   Fr
OL 60 Donovan Carter   So
OL 61 Drew Cannon Sr
OL 62 Frank Poso So
OL 63 R.J. Taylor So
OL 65 Aaron Frost Sr
OL 67 Gray Davis Sr
OL 68 Jacob Nunez   Fr
OL 71 Grant Starck So
OL 72 Dominic Eldridge Fr
OL 75 Jacob Gardner So
OL 77 Trey Hamilton Jr
OL 78 Andrew Madrigal Fr
OL 79 Moses Landis Sr
TE 81 Carlton Brown III Fr
WR 83 Aaron Smith So
WR 84 Jeremiah Gradowitz So
WR 87 Dazure Paggett Fr
Defense
Pos. # Name Class
DB 1 Berdale Robins
CB 2 Isaiah Essissima Jr
DB 5 Emany Johnson Jr
DB 6 Tyson Williams Sr
DE 7 Kameron Toomer GS
DB 9 Zeke Robbins Jr
LB 10 Lamin Touray Sr
LB 11 Daiyan Henley Sr
DB 12 Kacee Williams   So
DB 13 Jordan Lee Sr
CB 14 Zach Lewis Fr
DB 15 Jaden Dedman Jr
DT 16 Maurice Wilmer   So
DT 17 Crishaun Lappin Sr
DB 19 Richard Toney Fr
DB 20 Tyriq Mack Sr
DB 20 Bentlee Sanders
DB 22 Jayce Godley Jr
DE 23 Jack Powers Jr
DB 24 Chad Brown So
DB 24 Micah Camat So
DB 25 A.J. King So
DB 26 Avery Carrington   So
DB 29 Devin Gunter So
LB 30 Lawson Hall (C)
DB 31 Mikael Bradford Sr
LB 32 Drue Watts Fr
DB 33 JoJuan Claiborne Sr
LB 34 Josiah Bradley Jr
LB 36 Naki Mateialona So
DB 37 Marquese Allen–Patmon So
DB 38 Christian Swint Sr
DB 39 Micah Lilo So
CB 40 Dorian Blackwell Fr
LB 42 Davion Blackwell So
DB 42 Zion Burns Fr
DE 44 Daniel Grzesiak Jr
LB 45 Trevor Price Sr
DB 46 Aedan Seiuli Fr
DL 52 Dwight Togiola Fr
DT 53 Zak Mahannah GS
DE 54 Dion Washington Fr
LB 56 Adam Weynand So
LB 59 Peter Montini So
DT 66 Thomas White So
DT 73 Christopher Love Jr
DE 80 Caleb Manson Fr
DE 90 Breylon Garcia Jr
DE 91 Jeremiah Bodwin Fr
DT 92 Amir Johnson Sr
DT 93 Curtis Bonam   So
DE 94 Isaiah Overton Fr
DT 95 Tristan Nichols GS
DT 96 Teivis Tuioti So
DT 97 Aaron Overton Jr. So
DE 98 Sam Hammond (C) GS
DT 99 Dom Peterson Sr
Special teams
Pos. # Name Class
PK 18 Matthew Killam So
PK 43 Brandon Talton Jr
PK 48 Matt Freem Sr
PK 49 Julian Diaz GS
LS 85 Austin Ortega Jr
LS 88 Nick Barcelos Fr
P Paddy Turner Fr
Head coach
Coordinators/assistant coaches

Support staff

  • Jashon Sykes (Colorado)
    Senior Associate AD, Football Operations
  • Lucas Gauthier (UCLA)
    Director of player personnel
  • Colton Bosnos (Shasta and Nevada)
    Assistant Director of player personnel
  • Adam Hodge
    Video Coordinator
  • Harold Smith
    Graphic Designer
  • Rhonda Lundin Bennett (Northwestern)
    Sports Administrator
  • Ryan Mitchell (Occidental and Seattle)
    Senior Associate Director of Athletics for Intercollegiate Services
  • Andrew Caudill
    Assistant AD, Academics
  • Spencer Hiett
    MS, LAT, ATC Assistant Director of Sports Medicine
  • Shannon O'Hair
    Football Equipment Manager
  • Cindy Breeden
    Administrative Assistant
  • Silas Clapham (Washington)
    Recruiting Assistant

Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (S) Suspended
  • (I) Ineligible
  •   Injured
  •   Redshirt

Roster
Last update: August 15, 2021

Depth chart edit

As of August 15, 2021

Game summaries edit

At California edit

Nevada at California
1 234Total
Wolf Pack 0 1390 22
Golden Bears 14 003 17
    
Pregame line Over/under
CAL –3 52.5[14]
Statistics Nevada California
First downs 19 17
Total yards 373 330
Rushing yards 61 153
Passing yards 312 177
Turnovers 0 0
Time of possession 27:42 32:18
Team Category Player Statistics
Nevada Passing Carson Strong 22/39, 312 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Toa Taua 10 carries, 37 yards
Receiving Tory Horton 3 receptions, 94 yards
California Passing Chase Garbers 25/38, 177 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Damien Moore 15 carries, 79 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Jeremiah Hunter 2 receptions, 35 yards

Idaho State edit

Idaho State at Nevada
1 234Total
Bengals 7 030 10
Wolf Pack 14 7721 49
  • Date: September 11, 2021
  • Location: Mackay Stadium
    Reno, NV
  • Game start: 7:36 p.m. PDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 7 minutes
  • Game attendance: 23,965
  • Game weather: Temperature: 82 °F (28 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: W 11 MPH
  • Referee: Timothy Davis
  • TV announcers (KNSN-TV/Stadium): Noah Coslov (play–by–play) and Jordan Palmer (analyst)
     
Pregame line Over/under
NEV –35 56.5[15]
Statistics Idaho State Nevada
First downs 18 26
Total yards 283 586
Rushing yards 141 145
Passing yards 142 441
Turnovers 5 0
Time of possession 32:49 27:11
Team Category Player Statistics
Idaho State Passing Tyler Vander Waal 10/17, 107 yards
Rushing Malakai Rango 10 carries, 72 yards
Receiving Xavier Guillory 5 receptions, 54 yards
Nevada Passing Carson Strong 34/43, 381 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing Toa Taua 9 carries, 103 yards
Receiving Elijah Cooks 7 receptions, 89 yards, 2 TDs

At Kansas State edit

Nevada at Kansas State
1 234Total
Wolf Pack 7 0100 17
Wildcats 7 10021 38
  • Date: September 18, 2021
  • Location: Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium
    Manhattan, KS
  • Game start: 1:05 p.m. CDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 25 minutes
  • Game attendance: 48,768
  • Game weather: Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: SW 6 MPH
  • Referee: David Alvarez
  • TV announcers (ESPN+): Shawn Kenney (play–by–play), Barrett Brooks (analyst) and Shane Sparks (sideline)
     
Pregame line Over/under
NEV –1.5 51.5[16]
Statistics Nevada Kansas State
First downs 14 22
Total yards 331 398
Rushing yards 25 269
Passing yards 306 129
Turnovers 1 0
Time of possession 29:00 31:00
Team Category Player Statistics
Nevada Passing Carson Strong 27/40, 262 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing Devonte Lee 10 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Romeo Doubs 7 receptions, 121 yards
Kansas State Passing Will Howard 7/10, 123 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Deuce Vaughn 23 carries, 127 yards, 1 TD
Receiving Daniel Imatorbhebhe 1 reception, 68 yards, 1 TD

At Boise State edit

Nevada at Boise State
(Rivalry)
1 234Total
Wolf Pack 10 10183 41
Broncos 14 737 31
  • Date: October 2, 2021
  • Location: Albertsons Stadium
    Boise, ID
  • Game start: 1:36 p.m. MDT
  • Elapsed time: 3 hours and 25 minutes
  • Game attendance: 37,426
  • Game weather: Temperature: 69 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: N/A
  • Referee: Brandon Cruse
  • TV announcers (FS1): Alex Faust (play–by–play) and Petros Papadakis (analyst)
         
Pregame line Over/under
BSU –3.5 59[17]
Statistics Nevada Boise State
First downs 18 24
Total yards 393 410
Rushing yards 130 22
Passing yards 263 388
Turnovers 0 6
Time of possession 28:01 31:59
Team Category Player Statistics
Nevada Passing Carson Strong 25/38, 263 yards, 1 TD
Rushing Toa Taua 12 carries, 124 yards, 2 TDs
Receiving Justin Lockhart 5 receptions, 94 yards
Boise State Passing Hank Bachmeier 34/47, 388 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing Cyrus Habibi–Likio 10 carries, 46 yards
Receiving Stefan Cobbs 10 receptions, 132 yards, 2 TDs

New Mexico State edit

New Mexico State at Nevada
1 2Total
Aggies 0
Wolf Pack 0
Pregame line Over/under
NEV –31.5 61.5[18]
Statistics New Mexico State Nevada
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
New Mexico State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nevada Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Hawaii edit

Hawaii at Nevada
1 234Total
Rainbow Warriors 7 1000 17
• Wolf Pack 3 17140 34
  • Date: October 16, 2021
  • Location: Mackay Stadium
    Reno, NV
  • Game start: 7:30 p.m. PDT
  • Elapsed time: 3:40
  • Game attendance: 22,098
  • Referee: M. Vandervelde
  • Television network: CBSSN
Pregame line Over/under
N/A N/A
Statistics Hawaii Nevada
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Hawaii Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nevada Passing
Rushing
Receiving

At Fresno State edit

Nevada at Fresno State
1 2Total
Wolf Pack 0
Bulldogs 0
Pregame line Over/under
N/A N/A
Statistics Nevada Fresno State
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Nevada Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Fresno State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

UNLV edit

UNLV at Nevada
(Battle for the Fremont Cannon / Silver State Series)
1 2Total
Rebels 0
Wolf Pack 0
Pregame line Over/under
N/A N/A
Statistics UNLV Nevada
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
UNLV Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nevada Passing
Rushing
Receiving

San Jose State edit

San Jose State at Nevada
1 2Total
Spartans 0
Wolf Pack 0
Pregame line Over/under
N/A N/A
Statistics San Jose State Nevada
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
San Jose State Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nevada Passing
Rushing
Receiving

At No. 22 San Diego State edit

Nevada at San Diego State
1 2Total
Wolf Pack 0
No. 22 Aztecs 0
Pregame line Over/under
N/A N/A
Statistics Nevada San Diego State
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Nevada Passing
Rushing
Receiving
San Diego State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

Air Force edit

Air Force at Nevada
1 234Total
Falcons 0 1770 24
Wolf Pack 3 0714 24
Pregame line Over/under
N/A N/A
Statistics Air Force Nevada
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Air Force Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Nevada Passing
Rushing
Receiving

At Colorado State edit

Nevada at Colorado State
1 2Total
Wolf Pack 0
Rams 0
Pregame line Over/under
N/A N/A
Statistics Nevada Colorado State
First downs
Total yards
Rushing yards
Passing yards
Turnovers
Time of possession
Team Category Player Statistics
Nevada Passing
Rushing
Receiving
Colorado State Passing
Rushing
Receiving

References edit

  1. ^ "Doubs and Strong on Maxwell Preseason Watch List". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  2. ^ "2021 Bednarik Award Watch List: Kyle Hamilton, Kayvon Thibodeaux top names to watch". Pro Football Network. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  3. ^ "Strong on Davey O'Brien Preseason Watch List". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  4. ^ "Cooks, Doubs and Turner on Fred Biletnikoff Preseason Watch List". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  5. ^ a b "Orsini on Rimington Preseason Watch List and Turner on John Mackey Preseason Watch List". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  6. ^ "Robins on Jim Thorpe Preseason Watch List". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  7. ^ "Talton on Lou Groza Preseason Watch List". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  8. ^ "Doubs on Paul Hornung Preseason Watch List". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  9. ^ "Strong on Manning Preseason Watch List". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  10. ^ "Strong on Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Preseason Watch List". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved August 22, 2021.
  11. ^ "Boise State, Nevada Picked to Win 2021 Mountain West Football Divisional Titles". Mountain West Conference. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  12. ^ "2021 Mountain West Football Preseason All-Conference Team". Mountain West Conference. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  13. ^ "2021 Football Schedule". University of Nevada Athletics. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
  14. ^ "Nevada Wolf Pack vs California Golden Bears". Odds Shark. Retrieved August 19, 2021.
  15. ^ "Idaho State Bengals vs Nevada Wolf Pack". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 8, 2021.
  16. ^ "Nevada Wolf Pack vs Kansas State Wildcats". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  17. ^ "Nevada Wolf Pack vs Boise State Broncos". Odds Shark. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  18. ^ "New Mexico State Aggies vs Nevada Wolf Pack". Odds Shark. Retrieved October 5, 2021.