Norvell returns to Mackay with CSU chasing a title

A look ahead to the Nevada Wolf Pack football game against the Colorado State Rams on Saturday:

KICKOFF: 5 p.m. at Mackay Stadium.

RECORDS: Nevada (3-6, 0-3); Colorado State (5-3, 3-0).

THE SPREAD: Colorado State by 2.5; the total is 46.5.

HOW TO WATCH, LISTEN: The game can be seen on CBS Sports Network and heard on 105.7 FM.

AT STAKE FOR NEVADA: Nevada is looking for its first Mountain West victory of the season. The Wolf Pack has gone into the month of November winless in conference play just two other times (2000, 2022) since joining the Big West and becoming an FBS (Division I-A) team in 1992.

AT STAKE FOR COLORADO STATE: The Rams are tied with Boise State for first place in the Mountain West at 3-0, thanks to wins over San Jose State (31-24), Air Force (21-13) and New Mexico (17-6) the last three weeks. Nevada on Saturday and Fresno State on Nov. 23 might be the Rams' toughest games the rest of the year. They also play Utah State, which is 2-6, 1-3, and Wyoming, which is 1-7, 1-3, at home in Fort Collins.

THE HEAD COACHES: Jeff Choate (54 years old) is 3-6, 0-3 and in his first season as Nevada's head coach. The 61-year-old Jay Norvell, who went 33-26 in five seasons (2017-21) as Nevada's head coach, is 13-19 and in his third season at Colorado State. One more victory this year will give Norvell his most wins overall and in conference play in a season since he's been at Colorado State. He went 5-7 overall last year and 3-5 in league play in both 2022 and 2023. Both Norvell (2015) and Choate (2021-23) are former Texas Longhorns assistants.

THE RIVALRY: Colorado State leads 14-5 and has won the last two games. The last time Nevada beat Colorado State (52-10 in 2021), current Rams coach Jay Norvell was the Wolf Pack coach. Norvell was 2-1 against Colorado State as Nevada's coach. The only Nevada coaches who have ever beaten Colorado State other than Norvell are Chris Ault (in 2006 and 2010) and Brian Polian (2015). Colorado State won the first eight games in the rivalry from 1974-2005, beating Pack coaches Jerry Scattini (once), Jeff Tisdel and Chris Tormey (three times each) and Ault (once).

THE LAST TWO TIMES: Colorado State beat the Wolf Pack, 30-20, in Fort Collins last year and 17-14 in Reno in 2022 with Norvell as head coach. The Rams scored two touchdowns on defense in the first quarter and kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired in the fourth quarter to win in 2022. Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi, a former Wolf Pack recruit, was 15-of-30 for 245 yards and two touchdowns last year against the Pack.

NORVELL-PACK CONNECTION: It's been three seasons since Norvell coached the Wolf Pack but there are still 11 current Wolf Pack players who once played for him at Nevada. Norvell's current Colorado State roster still has former Pack players Tory Horton (wide receiver), Isaiah Essissima (defensive back), Jacob Gardner (offensive lineman), Peter Montini (tight end) and Avery Morrow (running back). Rams quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi signed with Nevada when Norvell was the Pack head coach but never played for Pack. Horton suffered a season-ending injury earlier this year after catching 26 passes for 353 yards. He also returned a punt for a touchdown. Morrow leads the Rams with 711 yards and six touchdowns this year. Essissima, who played for the Pack from 2021-23, has 11 tackles this year. Montini has two catches this year while Gardner is a starter and was second-team All-Mountain West for Colorado State last year and an honorable mention in 2022.

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR CONNECTIONS: Colorado State offensive coordinator Matt Mumme served in the same role for Nevada from 2017-21. Nevada offensive coordinator Matt Lubick coached Colorado State receivers from 2001-04 and was a student assistant coach and academic supervisor for the Rams in 1995. Lubick's father, Sonny Lubick, was Colorado State's offensive coordinator from 1982-84 and head coach from 1993-2007. The Rams' home field is named for him. Sonny Lubick (7-1) and Norvell (2-0) are a combined 9-1 against the Wolf Pack.

WHEN COLORADO STATE HAS THE BALL: Quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi is 128-of-207 for 1,454 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions. Avery Morrow (711 yards, six touchdowns) and Justin Marshall (410 yards) lead the running game. Armani Winfield (21 catches, 250 yards, two touchdowns), Jamari Person (20-192-0), Caleb Goodie (15-273-1) and Vince Brown (14-149-1) are Fowler-Nicolosi's top targets. Colorado State averages 21.8 points a game and has a 37.7 percent success rate on third down.

WHEN NEVADA HAS THE BALL: Quarterbacks Brendon Lewis (125-of-186, 1,290 yards, 10 touchdowns), Chubba Purdy (18-of-25, 239 yards, one score) and A.J. Bianco (16-24, 173 yards, one touchdown) might all see the field on Saturday. Savion Red (656 yards, eight touchdowns) leads the ground game despite getting just one carry last week against Hawaii before getting injured. Patrick Garwo (346 yards, five TDs) will also be involved in the run game. Jaden Smith (42-595-3), Marcus Bellon (27-371-4) and Cortez Braham (34-367-2) are the top pass catchers. Nevada averages 25 points a game and has a 52 percent success rate on third down.

PACK FOOTBALL

Who: Colorado State (5-3, 3-0) at Nevada (3-6, 0-3)

When: Saturday, 5 p.m.

Where: Mackay Stadium

Line: Colorado State by 2.5; total of 46.5

TV: CBS Sports Network

Radio: 105.7 FM (John Ramey)

Series: Colorado State leads, 14-5