Nevada football to host Northwestern

RENO - Nevada puts its six-game home winning streak on the line when it hosts Northwestern tonight (5:05 p.m.) at Mackay Stadium.

It will be the first time that a Big 10 football team has played at Mackay Stadium, which is a result of a more aggressive scheduling philosophy by the Nevada athletic administration.

"I think it's a great opportunity to go play on national TV in an environment that Nevada prides itself in," Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald said. "I think it's going to be a great football game and an opportuinity to show Northwestern football."

Northwestern is 2-1, having beaten Eastern Michigan (14-6) and Miami of Ohio (21-3). The Wildcats were pounded by Division I-AA New Hampshire (34-17) in the second week of the season.

"Obviously they have great athletes," Nevada quarterback Jeff Rowe said. "They have a good linebacker (Nick Roach). We haven't had a chance to play Big 10 schools like we have the Pac-10. It will be fun."

"They are balanced," Nevada coach Chris Ault said. "Their quarterback does a lot of running, and they have pretty good backs and receivers. They are really physical."

Northwestern quarterback Mike Kafka has completed 42 of 67 for 355 yards and one score, and Shaun Herbert leads the receiving corp with 14 catches for 85 yards. Rasheed Ward has 10 catches for 88 yards. Running back Tyrell Sutton has carried 45 times for 253 yards and a score.

Kafka and Andrew Brewer, both redshirt freshmen, alternated at quarterback last week against Eastern Michigan. Kafka won the job after leading the Wildcats to a pair of scores last weekend.

"He missed some shots against New Hampshire," said Northwestern coach Pat Fitzgerald, who inherited the team after Randy Walker died in the off-season. "Certainly last week he made things happen (last week)."

Northwestern likes to spread the field, but runs out of the spread formation just as often as it passes. Ault said that the Wildcats use a lot of zone blocking in that spread formation and try to create running lanes.

Fitzgerald is still stressing that his team needs to be more consistent offensively.

"We have to continue to play with poise and play with focus," Fitzgerald said. "We're in neutral right now.

"We had our first athletic adversity when we lost to New Hampshire. We know the challenge we're going into this week. It's huge for our program."

It's obviously a big week for Nevada. A win over a Big 10 school is certainly a feather in any team's hat.

In Ault's offensive system, success hinges on the play of the quarterback. There was talk that Ault challenged Rowe after the Pack started with losses to Fresno State and Arizona State. Whether he did or didn't isn't a big deal. Rowe did have an outstanding game against Colorado State, completing 19 of 22 passes for 210 yards and two scores. He also ran for 65 yards.

"I didn't need a challenge," Rowe said. "I'd already challenged myself. I knew I needed to play better. The Arizona State game wasn't how I like to play. Believe me, I've played worse games.

"ASU had a good plan to counter it (the bootlegs Rowe ran against CSU). We saw something in Colorado State's defense, and it worked out well. We were efficient against Colorado State, and that's what the offense needs to do to have success."

Robert Hubbard has run well thus far, and freshman Brandon Fragger is coming on strong and making a push for the No. 2 job.

The only issue with Nevada's offense is its ability to get deep downfield with the vertical passing game. Rowe misfired a couple of times against Fresno State. Rowe has had tremendous success with intermediate-range passes. His longest last week was 39 yards for a TD to Mike McCoy.

Fitzgerald, who inherited the job after Randy Walker passed away in the off-season, is impressed with the Pack.

"They look like a team with an identity that they believe in," Fitzgerald said. "They execute very well, not only on offense and defense, but also in their kicking game.

"You look at programs like us and Nevada, when you have a belief system, you go out and execute to the best of your ability. You give yourself a chance to be consistent winners. They responded to two tough games and are playing their best football."

Northwestern didn't allow an offensive touchdown last week, a huge improvement over the New Hampshire game. Roach leads the defense with 27 tackles.

"Nick wasn't heavily recruited," Fitzgerald said. "I think it was just one other school and us. He's been a playmaker for us."

Notes: Fitzgerald and his wife became parents for the second time earlier this week. The baby was born on Wednesday ... With the short week, Fitzgerald said his coaching staff broke down Nevada film last Friday for about four or five hours, and he hopes that extra work will pay off on Friday ... Reno mayor Bob Cashell was urging area business owners to let employees who have tickets off early today so they can get to the game on time... Because of the short week, Fitzgerald said workouts were with shoulder pads and helmets.

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

NORTHWESTERN (2-10 at NEVADA (1-2)

When: Today, 5:05 p.m.

Where: Mackay Stadium

TV: ESPN2

Radio: ESPN Radio 630 AM (Dan Gustin, Billy Daniel and Brian Samudio); pre-game starts at 4 p.m.

LINE: Nevada is favored by 7