Nevada glad to be back home

RENO - Winless Nevada hopes to put an end to two streaks when it faces unbeaten Colorado State tonight in its home opener at Mackay Stadium.

Kick-off is set for 6:05 p.m. for the nonconference game.

Nevada is 0-2 thus far, losing 28-19 to Fresno State and 52-21 to Arizona State. Colorado State beat Weber State 30-6 and arch-rival Colorado 14-10.

The Pack, dating back to 1974, have lost eight straight games to Colorado State. In the past seven games of the series, Nevada has been outscored 263-141 or an average of 37.5 to 20.1.

The Wolf Pack were 5-1 at home last year, ending the season with four straight home wins, including a 38-35 upset of Fresno State which earned Nevada a share of the Western Athletic Conference championship.

"I'm looking forward to it," Nevada coach Chris Ault said. "Colorado State is undefeated and a well-coached and physical football team. It's going to be one heck of a home opener."

Conversely, Colorado State coach Sonny Lubick, the architect of the great Miami defenses in the late 1980s, knows that Nevada is a much better football team than its 0-2 record indicates. Personally, Lubick is 7-0 against Nevada.

"I hope our guys realize that Nevada is a darned good football team," Lubick said. "We've been a pretty good road team, but there is an advantage to playing at home. I think it helps to play at home. This is their first home game, and I know they will be excited to play.

"Everybody is looking at their record. They have played two pretty good opponents. It's all about the schedule. ASU is a tough place and they played Fresno State, which is a good football team. It's all about that (the schedule). This is as tough of a game as we've played all year."

Lubick said this will be the Rams' biggest challenge to date, and a big reason why is quarterback Jeff Rowe.

A year ago, Nevada trailed 21-0 after the first quarter, but Rowe, who completed 23 of 34 for 324 yards and three scores, rallied the Pack back to within 21-14 after three quarters before CSU scored 21 in the final period.

"He (Rowe) can not only pass, but he can run," Lubick said. "We had our hands full with him last year

"He is good because of his experience and he has a way of buying time. He looks to throw rather than run."

Rowe admitted that he hasn't played his best football over the past two weeks. He has completed 35 of 63 for 346 yards and three scores. Against Fresno State, he said he had trouble with downfield accuracy, and he had a few misreads against Arizona State.

Robert Hubbard (87 yards per game) is still dinged up a bit, but is expected to play. Freshman Brandon Fragger, who was impressive in his seven-carry debut last week, is pushing for time as Hubbard's back-up with sophomore Luke Lippincott.

Colorado State comes into the game with the nation's top defense, allowing only 116 yards per game. Much of that is because of its schedule. The Rams played Weber State and Colorado, two unimpressive offensive teams.

Opponents have attempted just 39 passes combined the first two games, and CSU defensive end Jesse Nading knows that will change this week. CSU does have 11 sacks coming into the game, and Nevada's front of Barrett Reznick, Charles Manu, Dominic Green, Greg Hall and Jimmy Wadhams will be tested.

"I think the first two games teams ran to see if we could stop the run," Nading said. "Jeff Rowe is a good passer."

This is a different CSU offense that goes up against the much-criticized Pack defense, which has yielded 80 points in two games. Gone is Kyle Bell, who underwent season-ending knee surgery on Thursday, and gone is quarterback Justin Holland, who threw for three scores last year.

Johnny Walker caught a career-high 10 passes for 159 yards last week, and new QB Caleb Hanie completed his first 14 passes against Colorado, and ended up 20 of 23 for 233 yards and a score against Colorado.

"They are more wide open than they have ever been; more diversified," Ault said. "We're going to have to play our best."

Ault knows that the Rams are more wide open because they don't have Bell to pound away at opposing defenses and loosen up the passing game.

CSU ran for a paltry 15 yards last week, and Lubick knows that usually isn't enough to beat a good football team.

Nnamdi Ohaeri, who was a defensive back three weeks ago, carried three times for 39 yards against Weber State, and Gartrell Johnson carried 14 times for 17 yards against Colorado. Michael Myers has carried seven times for 38 yards.

"We're working on the running game," 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."

Notes: Defensive end Erics Clark has been banged up a bit, and that means Charles Wilson could start this week ... Adam Bishop is expected to start at tight end ahead of Anthony Pudewell, who has a nagging leg injury... CSU is 45-29 in road games since 1993 ... CSU is 12-30 in games where the team attempts 35 or more passes, and 91-27 when attempting less than 35 passes ... CSU has 11 sacks, and last year the Rams didn't get their 11th sack until the eighth game of the season.

Contact Darrell Moody at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281

COLORADO STATE (2-0) AT NEVADA (0-2)

When: Today, 6:05 p.m.

Where: Mackay Stadium

TV: None

Radio: ESPN Radio 630 AM (Dan Gustin/Billy Daniel), 5 p.m.

Line: Nevada is favored by 3