Last week, Fresno State battled Utah State with its backs
against the wall. Now it controls its own destiny against
the Wolf Pack this Saturday.
Dalton Runberg / The Collegian
Breakdown: Bulldogs
Fresno State will finally be on the road as it will travel to Reno, Nev. after a three-game homestand. This could be the biggest game of the season as the ‘Dogs and Nevada are both undefeated in Western Athletic Conference play. If Fresno State gets the win against Nevada, then its outright WAC title hopes will still be alive with only four conference games remaining this season.
Quarterback Derek Carr had a better game than the Boise State outing in which he was a non-factor all night. The ‘Dogs will need the type of play calling they had last Saturday, allowing Carr to get the ball in his playmakers’ hands. Junior Robbie Rouse is one of those playmakers that needs to get the ball at least 25 times to help Fresno State move the ball against the WAC’s top total defense. Punt returner Devon Wylie needs to continue his recent success of coming up with big returns to set up Carr and company with favorable field position.
On defense, the ‘Dogs shut down the impressive Utah State rushing attack in the second half of Saturday’s game. Now the defense faces another top-notch run game this weekend and will need to rise up it did a week ago.
If the ‘Dogs can control the line of scrimmage and play stout defense, Fresno State may very well take a firm grip on the WAC standings.
Breakdown: Wolf Pack
Nevada faced a similar fate as the Bulldogs a couple weeks ago against Boise State, losing 30-10. Since that 20-point defeat, in which Kellen Moore had an uncharacteristically poor game, the Wolf Pack have rebounded with two dominating wins against UNLV and New Mexico, who will be foes both Nevada and Fresno State will face next season in the Mountain West Conference.
The Wolf Pack have won a majority of their games with a steady rushing attack that aids in winning the time-of-possession battle. Nevada, uses a four-back rotation at running back with junior Mike Ball and three players from the Central Valley in sophomore Stefphon Jefferson (Visalia, Calif.), senior Lampford Mark (Clovis, Calif.) and freshman Kendall Brock (Clovis, Calif.).
Nevada also has rotated quarterbacks so far this season with senior Tyler Lantrip and freshman Cody Fajardo playing in six and four games, respectively. They are both threats with their legs as well as their arms.
On defense, senior defensive lineman Brett Roy leads the Western Athletic Conference with six sacks and 12.5 tackles for a loss. Roy will provide Fresno State’s offensive line with another tough test in the run game and passing game come this Saturday.
Keys to Victory
1. Contain the Pistol
The biggest offseason headline for the Fresno State-Nevada matchup was QB Colin Kaepernick moving on to the NFL after four highly productive seasons. He had been Fresno State’s worst nightmare for four seasons. With Kaepernick gone, Fresno State has a much better chance of containing the Pistol.
2. Limit the ‘Big Play’
Fresno State didn’t limit the big play in the first half against Utah State, but in the second half the ‘Dogs held the Utah State offense in check the Fresno State “D” will need play the type of defense it played in the second half against Utah State to slow down Nevada.
3. Continue diverse play calling
In the Utah State game, the ‘Dogs opened up the playbook and showed in a variety of ways they can attack a defense. Fresno State has to utilize its weapons again.
Position Matchups
When Fresno State runs:
Advantage – Fresno State
RB Robbie Rouse bounced back from his worst game of the season with a good game against Utah State. Nevada has a solid overall defense, but has somewhat struggled to stop the run.
When Nevada runs:
Advantage – Nevada
Fresno State’s run defense stepped up against Utah State in the second half, but have had a tough time in the past against Nevada’s Pistol offense.
When Fresno State passes:
Advantage – Even
QB Derek Carr had a better game against Utah State, but Nevada’s pass defense tops the WAC.
When Nevada passes:
Advantage – Nevada
Nevada’s offense has traditionally been a run-based attack, but this season it has averaged 239 passing yards per game.
Special teams:
Advantage – Even
Kicker Kevin Goessling hit his first field goal since missing three against Mississippi. This one was a 39-yarder. He will have to play a key role against Nevada for the ‘Dogs to get the “W.”