Bright Spots For Nevada In Loss To Missouri

Nevada is now 0-3 having lost to Missouri 31-21 on September 25, 2009 in Reno. Most have already assumed Nevada will be a mediocre WAC team this season. Boise State, Fresno State and even Idaho have captured much more attention. Things are looking grim for the Wolf Pack after a 35-0 loss to Notre Dame; a 35-20 loss to Colorado State and a 31-21 loss to Missouri. The pundits already have Boise State rolling to another WAC title and a BCS Bowl, possible even a shot at the national title.

But wait a second, who did we say Nevada has lost to, Notre Dame, Colorado State and Missouri? Hang on there partner, those are some pretty tough teams! There were a few bright spots in the drubbing Nevada took in South Bend. Their performance against Colorado State was filled with miscues but buried within was evidence of progress. The game against Missouri goes in the record books as a loss, but unless you saw the game, it easy to overlook some very positive signs that the Pack is steadily improving.

First of all, Nevada led Mizzou for much of the game. They managed 23 first downs, 246 yards rushing, 146 yards in the air for a total of 364 yards. Once again , they made key mistakes that cost them the game and had 9 penalties for 69 yeards. Two of those mistakes cost them 10 points. But for those two errors, Nevada would have been even with the Tigers who were ranked 21.

Trailing 21-13 in the fourth, the Wolf Pack marched downfield only to fumble on the 3 yard line. Earlier, a silly penalty took them out of easy field goal range. Bingo, there went ten points.

So, Nevada is 0-3 against really, really good teams. Mistakes have been killing them. They are making fewer of them however. But it might be very dangerous for other WAC teams to take them lightly. While some WAC teams are feasting on very soft competition, Nevada is out there getting their teeth kicked in by some of the best teams in the country and they are getting better every game. They were not the least bit intimidated by Missouri and for much of the game they were just as good as the Tigers.

Nevada faces UNLV next week and then moves on to conference play having prepped for it by playing 4 very strong teams. There is nothing the WAC can throw at them that they haven't already seen. I look for Nevada to retain the Fremont Canon and start WAC play with a 1-3 record. Then watch out WAC. With the exception of Fresno and San Jose, most of you were flexing your muscles against soft non-conference teams, the Wolf Pack has been preparing by playing up. Nevada's season is just beginning. Don't be surprised if the Wolf Pack performs very well in conference play.

Michael Patmas, MD