Wolf Pack opens practice today

Wolf Pack opens practice today

BY DARRELL MOODY

Appeal Sports Writer

RENO - The University of Nevada football team starts preparations for its season-opener at Nebraska today at 3:15 p.m. at Wolf Pack Park.

The Wolf Pack is coming off its second straight winning season, 8-5, and its second consecutive bowl appearance, a 21-20 loss to University of Miami in the MPC Computers Bowl.

A bowl three-peat and winning the conference undoubtedly are two of Nevada's goals heading into the season.

Nevada is fielding a young team with 66 players either true freshmen, redshirt freshmen and sophomores. That group will get tested right off the bat with away games at Nebraska and Northwestern.

"We are proud of what we have accomplished, but there is so much more to do," Nevada head coach Chris Ault said. "The past is the past. We live in the present. We had a very good off-season, and now we can focus on getting better in every phase of the game."

Several players have received preseason recognition.

CollegeFootballNews.com selected linebacker Ezra Butler as its Western Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, and nose tackle Matt Hines, center Dominic Green and kick returner Raymond Sanders also were honored. Charles Manu, who moved from offensive tackle to guard this season, was a second-team selection.

The publication ranked Butler No. 7 in the conference. Hawai'i quarterback Colt Brennan was ranked No. 2.

Nevada will practice 19 days, and six of those days will be double sessions. Afternoon sessions will start either at 3:15 or 3:20 p.m., and morning practices will get under way at 9 a.m.

Two scrimmages have been scheduled - Aug. 18 and Aug. 25. The scrimmage on the 25th wraps up the fall camp. Nevada starts school on Aug. 27, and the Nebraska game is scheduled for Sept. 1.

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