Nevada needs to get defensive

RENO - The numbers are there for all to see, and they aren't pretty for the Nevada defense.

Consider the following:

• Opponents have converted 13 of 24 third-down opportunities, including three on the game-winning drive put together by Fresno State (9-for-14) two weeks ago.

• The Pack have managed just one sack, that coming last week by J.J. Milan. Nevada had one sack wiped out by a penalty, and Erics Clark barely missed ASU's Rudy Carpenter another time.

• Nevada has allowed 80 points thus far, an average of 40 a game.

• Nevada's defense is giving up nearly seven yards a snap, another number that is only going to lead to more frustration and more losses.

Nevada hopes to put a stop to the sub-par play when it faces Colorado State, 2-0, Saturday at 6 p.m. at Mackay Stadium in the Wolf Pack's home opener.

"First and foremost at this stage, we have to worry about ourselves," said Barry Sacks, Nevada's co-defensive coordinator. "The defense has to get its drive back and keep that focus.

"We have to get back on the right track; we need to get there. We need to defend the pass with much more consistency. We have to pressure the quarterback more and we have to get off the field on third down."

Sacks said that an acceptable percentage on third down is 33 percent or higher, meaning you are stopping the opposition at least once out of three third-down attempts.

ASU hit Nevada with at least nine plays of 20 or more yards, and three of those were on touchdown passes by Carpenter.

"That's one of our goals is to stop the big play," defensive end Charles Wilson said. "We've given up far too many already (this season).

"If anything, we've got to get some consistency. We've got to keep people off the scoreboard."

Wilson said this week is all about getting the unit's swagger back. Defense is all about attitude, and no doubt after last week's debacle, the defense has to be doubting itself a little bit.

The secondary blew some coverages, leading to several big plays, including a 52-yard pass from Carpenter to a wide open Nate Kimbrough which made the score 17-7. A safety failed to rotate over, leaving Kimbrough so wide open, Ray Charles wouldn't have missed him.

The secondary has another big challenge ahead of it.

Colorado State quarterback Caleb Hanie has completed 35 of 45 passing attempts for 445 yards and one score, and Johnny Walker has caught 13 passes for 192 yards.

"They used to be a power team," Nevada coach Chris Ault said. "They are sprinting out, using some option and play-action passing. They are a lot more wide open."

The Rams had to change their offense a little when Kyle Bell went down with a season-ending knee injury in fall camp. Bell gained 1,288 yards and scored 10 times last year. He gained 183 and scored once in last year's 42-21 win over the Pack.

"We did pretty good (last week)," Walker said. "We just didn't put points on the board. I think we are an explosive team."

Walker said CSU will be even better once it proves it can move the ball on the ground. Colorado held CSU to 15 yards rushing last weekend, but CSU still won 14-10.

"We're working on the running game," CSU coach Sonny Lubick said. "I'd like to see more production from the running game. I think we will improve. There hasn't been much running room. We need to get a little movement, get a crease and give our running backs a chance."

Nnamdi Ohaeri, who was a defensive back three weeks ago, played most of the time against Colorado. He has carried seven times for 43 yards and Gartrell Johnson started against Weber State and scored three times. Michael Myers has carried seven times for 38 yards.

Notes: Former Wooster standout Zac Bryson is a reserve safety for the Rams ... The Rams are currently ranked No. 1 in the nation defensively, allowing less than 120 yards per game and only 37 yards on the ground ... When CSU beat Colorado 14-10 last week, it was only the sixth time in Lubick's CSU career that the Rams had won scoring less than 20 points ... Saturday is Heroes Day at Mackay Stadium. The Wolf Pack are honoring police officers, firefighters and service men and women. Law enforcement or fire department personnel can purchase tickets for $10 at the Legacy Hall ticket office. Personnel must be in the appropriate uniform when making the purchase.