How the Nevada Wolf Pack Defeated the Boise State Broncos

One month ago I published an article on B/R describing what Nevada needed to do to beat BSU. Most commenters thought it was an impossible task for the Wolf Pack. I predicted a Wolf Pack victory 35 - 28. My only regret is that I didn't bet on the game! Nevada won 34-31.

Here's how Nevada won. Quite simply they beat BSU on both sides of the ball and rattled the Broncos psychologically. That's why Brotzman choked. Ault also outcoached Petersen.

The key metrics were: First downs: BSU 21 - Nevada 28; 3rd down conversions: BSU 4/10 - Nevada 9/17; Rushing yards: BSU 145 - Nevada 269; total offense BSU 493 - Nevada 528; Penalties: BSU 5/70 - Nevada 4/29; TOP BSU 24:39 - Nevada 50:21. The only metric on which BSU outperformed Nevada was on passing yards 348 to 259.

Now let's grade the Wolf Pack based on what I wrote a month ago.

I said Nevada had to defeat the "Boise Defense" (of Nevada) by not running Kaepernick on the keeper so much. Indeed, Kaepernick only ran the ball 10 times. BSU was expecting him to run more. By over-committing on covering Kaepernick, it opened up passing opportunities and that resulted in him going 19 for 35; 259 passing yards and a passing TD. On this tactic Nevada gets an "A".

Nevada needed to play smart and avoid mistakes. They had one turnover that resulted in 3 points but no others. BSU had more penalties. Nevada played cleaner with fewer mistakes. "B+".

The Wolf Pack needed to be much less predictable. They demonstrated a nicely balanced attack. "A".

Kaepernick needed to throw the ball more. He did, for 259 yards and a TD. "B+".

Nevada needed to stop BSU from jumping out to an early lead. They didn't. BSU led 24-7 at halftime. "C".

The Wolf Pack needed to keep it close and stay within striking distance. The biggest lead BSU had was 17 points. "C".

Nevada needed to stop BSU's running game, especially Doug Martin. They held the Broncos to 145 yards rushing. Nearly half those yards came on one play. "B+".

The Wolf Pack needed to pressure Kellen Moore. They sacked him twice for 16 yards and rattled him into throwing 11 incomplete passes. "B".

Nevada needed to control the clock. Except for the first quarter, they did just that and held the ball twice as long as Boise did. "A".

The Wolf Pack needed some trickery of their own. A double reverse caught BSU on their heels and resulted in a TD for Nevada. "A".

Finally, the fans. Much was made in Boise about the poor turnout for Nevada in the game against New Mexico State. Boise fans ridiculed Nevada fans for not being as loud and as proud. Well, I think they were surprised. Nevada fans showed up. When the entire stadium began singing Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" you could see and feel the momentum shift to Nevada.

Overall, I give the Nevada Wolf Pack a solid "B". They did what was needed to win. They proved BSU could be beaten and they showed how to do it.

Are you listening Utah State?