American college football season
The 2020 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season . The Wolf Pack were led by fourth–year head coach Jay Norvell and played their home games at Mackay Stadium . They were members of the Mountain West Conference .[ 2]
On August 10, 2020, the Mountain West Conference suspended all sports competitions due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 3] On September 24, the conference announced that the football season would begin on October 24.[ 4]
Preseason
Award watch lists
Listed in the order that they were released
The Mountain West media days were originally scheduled on July 16–17, 2020, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood , California , but were canceled in favor of virtual media days due to the COVID-19 pandemic .[ 13] The virtual media days that were scheduled to take place on July 27–29, 2020, were also canceled.[ 14]
The preseason poll was released on July 21, 2020. The Wolf Pack were predicted to finish in second place in the MW West Division.[ 15] The divisions were later suspended for the 2020 season.
West
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
San Diego State
122 (19)
2
Nevada
100 (2)
3
Hawaii
74
4
Fresno State
73
5
San Jose State
43
6
UNLV
29
Mountain
Predicted finish
Team
Votes (1st place)
1
Boise State
125 (20)
2
Wyoming
90 (1)
3
Air Force
86
4
Utah State
60
5
Colorado State
59
6
New Mexico
21
Preseason All−Mountain West Team
The Wolf Pack had two players selected to the preseason All−Mountain West Team; one from the offense and one from the defense.[ 16]
Offense
Brandon Talton – PK
Defense
Dom Peterson – DL
Schedule
Original
Revised
Rankings
Ranking movementsLegend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes Week Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Final AP — —* — — — — — — — — RV RV RV — RV — — RV Coaches — —* — — — — — — — RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV RV CFP Not released — — — — — Not released
Personnel
Depth chart
†
As of November 30, 2020
Defense
NICKEL
E. J. Muhammad
Jordan Lee
⋅
FS
Christian Swint OR JoJuan Claiborne
⋅
⋅
SS
Tyson Williams
Jayce Godley
Emany Johnson
CB
Berdale Robins OR Jaden Dedman
⋅
⋅
DE
DT
DT
DE
Kameron Toomer
Zak Mahannah
Dom Peterson
Sam Hammond
Jack Powers
Christopher Love
Amir Johnson
Daniel Grzesiak
⋅
⋅
⋅
⋅
CB
A. J. King OR Mikael Bradford
Kieran Clark
⋅
Offense
H
Melquan Stovall
Jamaal Bell
Isaac Jernagin
LT
LG
C
RG
RT
Jacob Gardner
Jermaine Ledbetter
Tyler Orsini
Nate Brown
Aaron Frost
Moses Landis
Gray Davis
Nathan Edwards
Zac Welch
Cole Watts
⋅
⋅
⋅
⋅
⋅
RB
Toa Taua OR Devonte Lee
Avery Morrow
⋅
Special teams
PK Brandon Talton
P Julian Diaz
KR Jamaal Bell Melquan Stovall
PR Romeo Doubs OR Charles Ross
LS Austin Ortega
H Hamish McClure
Game summaries
Wyoming
Wyoming at Nevada
1
2 3 4 OT Total
Cowboys
3
3 7 18 3
34
• Wolf Pack
7
7 14 3 6
37
Date: October 24, 2020Location: Mackay Stadium Reno, NV Game start: 4:05 p.m. PDT Elapsed time: 4 hours and 11 minutesGame attendance: 250Game weather: Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) • Weather: Clear Skies • Wind: N/AReferee: Timothy DavisTV announcers (CBSSN ): Rich Waltz (play–by–play), Aaron Murray (analyst) and Amanda Guerra (sideline)
Pregame line
Over/under
WYO –3
54[ 22]
Statistics
Wyoming
Nevada
First downs
19
25
Total yards
361
496
Rushing yards
128
76
Passing yards
233
420
Turnovers
0
4
Time of possession
25:02
34:58
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Wyoming
Passing
Levi Williams
16/31, 227 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing
Xazavian Valladay
22 carries, 87 yards
Receiving
Isaiah Neyor
3 receptions, 102 yards
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
39/52, 420 yards, 4 TDs
Rushing
Devonte Lee
18 carries, 65 yards
Receiving
Cole Turner
7 receptions, 119 yards, 2 TDs
At UNLV
Pregame line
Over/under
NEV –14
59[ 23]
Statistics
Nevada
UNLV
First downs
22
22
Total yards
497
348
Rushing yards
147
126
Passing yards
350
222
Turnovers
0
0
Time of possession
27:36
32:24
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
21/27, 350 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Toa Taua
12 carries, 86 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Romeo Doubs
7 receptions, 219 yards, 1 TD
UNLV
Passing
Max Gilliam
27/40, 207 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Charles Williams
19 carries, 99 yards
Receiving
Tyleek Collins
5 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD
Utah State
Utah State at Nevada
1
2 3 4 Total
Aggies
9
0 0 0
9
• Wolf Pack
7
14 10 3
34
Date: Location: Mackay Stadium Reno, NV Game start: 4:00 p.m. PST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 27 minutesGame attendance: 250Game weather: Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C) • Weather: Clear and Sunny • Wind: N/AReferee: Cal McNeillTV announcers (FS1 ): Alex Faust (play–by–play) and Evan Moore (analyst)
Pregame line
Over/under
NEV –17
58.5[ 24]
Statistics
Utah State
Nevada
First downs
11
27
Total yards
210
542
Rushing yards
109
121
Passing yards
101
421
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
23:16
36:44
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Utah State
Passing
Jason Shelley
15/27, 96 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Jason Shelley
7 carries, 34 yards
Receiving
Deven Thompkins
6 receptions, 30 yards
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
36/52, 411 yards, 3 TDs
Rushing
Toa Taua
12 carries, 107 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Romeo Doubs
7 receptions, 137 yards, 3 TDs
At New Mexico
Nevada at New Mexico (Battle of the Wolves)
1
2 3 4 Total
• Wolf Pack
0
10 10 7
27
Lobos
7
6 0 7
20
Date: November 14, 2020Location: Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, NV Game start: 3:35 p.m. PST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 15 minutesGame attendance: 250Game weather: Temperature: 66 °F (19 °C) • Weather: Sunny • Wind: NoneReferee: Michael VanderVeldeTV announcers (FS2 ): Anthony LaPanta (play–by–play) and Ron Johnson (analyst)
Pregame line
Over/under
NEV –17.5
63[ 25]
Statistics
Nevada
New Mexico
First downs
19
21
Total yards
392
352
Rushing yards
52
141
Passing yards
340
211
Turnovers
2
0
Time of possession
27:45
32:15
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
24/38, 336 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Toa Taua
15 carries, 62 yards
Receiving
Romeo Doubs
5 receptions, 172 yards, 3 TDs
New Mexico
Passing
Trae Hall
17/32, 195 yards, 1 INT
Rushing
Bobby Cole
17 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Emmanuel Logan–Greene
5 receptions, 56 yards
San Diego State
San Diego State at Nevada
1
2 3 4 Total
Aztecs
7
14 0 0
21
• Wolf Pack
6
10 10 0
26
Date: November 21, 2020Location: Mackay Stadium Reno, NV Game start: 12:35 p.m. PST Elapsed time: 2 hours and 35 minutesGame attendance: 50Game weather: Temperature: 47 °F (8 °C) • Weather: Clear Skies • Wind: N/AReferee: Timothy DavisTV announcers (CBS ): Brad Nessler (play–by–play), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Jamie Erdahl (sideline)
Pregame line
Over/under
SDSU –1.5
46.5[ 26]
Statistics
San Diego State
Nevada
First downs
16
19
Total yards
293
376
Rushing yards
109
88
Passing yards
184
288
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
27:07
32:53
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
San Diego State
Passing
Lucas Johnson
14/24, 184 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Chance Bell
11 carries, 42 yards
Receiving
Jesse Matthews
5 receptions, 80 yards
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
31/46, 288 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Toa Taua
13 carries, 52 yards
Receiving
Romeo Doubs
5 receptions, 133 yards, 1 TD
At Hawaii
Nevada at Hawaii
1
2 3 4 Total
Wolf Pack
0
7 0 14
21
• Rainbow Warriors
0
10 7 7
24
Date: November 28, 2020Location: Aloha Stadium Halawa, HI Game start: 6:06 p.m. Elapsed time: 2 hours and 54 minutesGame attendance: 0Game weather: Temperature: 77 °F (25 °C) • Weather: 62% Humidity • Wind: NE 10 MPH Referee: Christian WatsonTV announcers (KNSN-TV /SPEC HI ): Robert Kekaula (play–by–play) and Rich Miano (analyst)
Pregame line
Over/under
NEV –7
63[ 27]
Statistics
Nevada
Hawaii
First downs
23
25
Total yards
376
365
Rushing yards
208
119
Passing yards
168
246
Turnovers
1
1
Time of possession
32:07
27:53
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
20/25, 168 yards, 2 TDs
Rushing
Toa Taua
20 carries, 131 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Cole Turner
6 receptions, 48 yards, 1 TD
Hawaii
Passing
Chevan Cordeiro
26/32, 246 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Chevan Cordeiro
15 carries, 62 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Calvin Turner
10 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD
Fresno State
Fresno State at Nevada
1
2 3 4 Total
Bulldogs
7
13 0 6
26
• Wolf Pack
17
7 0 13
37
Date: December 5, 2020Location: Mackay Stadium Reno, NV Game start: 6:10 p.m. PST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 56 minutesGame attendance: 50Game weather: Temperature: 50 °F (10 °C) • Weather: Cold and Overcast • Wind: N/AReferee: Cal McNeillTV announcers (FS2 ): Anthony LaPanta (play–by–play) and Ron Johnson (analyst)
Pregame line
Over/under
NEV –6.5
59[ 28]
Statistics
Fresno State
Nevada
First downs
30
14
Total yards
599
416
Rushing yards
114
62
Passing yards
485
354
Turnovers
5
3
Time of possession
35:01
24:59
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Fresno State
Passing
Jake Haener
41/65, 485 yards, 2 TD
Rushing
Ronnie Rivers
14 carries, 69 yards
Receiving
Keric Wheatfall
6 receptions, 113 yards, 1 TD
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
23/39, 354 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs
Rushing
Toa Taua
11 carries, 39 yards
Receiving
Tory Horton
5 receptions, 148 yards, 3 TDs
Vs. San Jose State
Nevada vs. San Jose State
1
2 3 4 Total
Wolf Pack
10
10 0 0
20
• Spartans
7
0 20 3
30
Date: Location: Sam Boyd Stadium Whitney, NV Game start: 7:35 p.m. PST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 13 minutesGame attendance: 0Game weather: Temperature: 47 °F (8 °C) • Weather: Clear • Wind: NoneReferee: Mike CuttoneTV announcers (CBSSN ): Dave Ryan (play–by–play) and Randy Cross (analyst)
Pregame line
Over/under
NEV –2.5
61.5[ 29]
Statistics
Nevada
San Jose State
First downs
24
18
Total yards
398
506
Rushing yards
138
200
Passing yards
260
306
Turnovers
4
1
Time of possession
31:43
28:17
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
33/48, 260 yards, 1 TD
Rushing
Toa Taua
11 carries, 96 yards
Receiving
Romeo Doubs
9 receptions, 75 yards
San Jose State
Passing
Nick Starkel
20/30, 306 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT
Rushing
Tyler Nevens
12 carries, 184 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Bailey Gaither
7 receptions, 156 yards
Vs. Tulane (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl)
Nevada vs. Tulane (Famous Idaho Potato Bowl )
1
2 3 4 Total
Green Wave
0
7 13 7
27
• Wolf Pack
6
20 0 12
38
Date: Location: Albertsons Stadium Boise, ID Game start: 1:30 p.m. MST Elapsed time: 3 hours and 23 minutesGame attendance: 0Game weather: Temperature: 40 °F (4 °C) • Weather: Partly Cloudy • Wind: WNW 22 MPH Referee: Steve StrimlingTV announcers (ESPN ): Chris Cotter (play–by–play), Mark Herzlich (analyst) and Taylor Davis (sideline)
Pregame line
Over/under
TULN –1
56.5[ 30]
Statistics
Tulane
Nevada
First downs
18
21
Total yards
365
480
Rushing yards
197
209
Passing yards
168
271
Turnovers
0
1
Time of possession
23:50
36:10
Team
Category
Player
Statistics
Tulane
Passing
Michael Pratt
12/25, 168 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs
Rushing
Cameron Carroll
10 carries, 120 yards, 1 TD
Receiving
Jha'Quan Jackson
2 receptions, 69 yards, 2 TDs
Nevada
Passing
Carson Strong
22/28, 271 yards, 5 TDs
Rushing
Devonte Lee
18 carries, 105 yards
Receiving
Toa Taua
6 receptions, 77 yards, 1 TD
Notes
References
^ "WE'RE BACK" . twitter.com/MountainWest . Retrieved September 24, 2020 .
^ "2020 Nevada Football Schedule" . Retrieved December 11, 2019 .
^ "Mountain West Postpones 2020 Fall Sports" . TheMW.com . August 10, 2020. Retrieved August 11, 2020 .
^ "2020 Mountain West Football Season to Begin on October 24" . themw.com (Press release). September 25, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020 .
^ "Peterson on Chuck Bednarik Preseason Watch List" . University of Nevada Athletics . Retrieved August 2, 2021 .
^ "Taua on Doak Walker Preseason Watch List" . University of Nevada Athletics . Retrieved August 2, 2021 .
^ "Cooks on Fred Biletnikoff Preseason Watch List" . University of Nevada Athletics . Retrieved August 2, 2021 .
^ "Peterson on Bronko Nagurski Preseason Watch List" . University of Nevada Athletics . Retrieved August 2, 2021 .
^ "2020 Outland Trophy Watch List Unveiled" . Football Writers Association of America . July 21, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020 .
^ "Talton on Lou Groza Preseason Watch List" . University of Nevada Athletics . Retrieved August 2, 2021 .
^ a b "Taua on Paul Hornung Preseason Watch List and Hall on Wuerffel Trophy Watch List" . University of Nevada Athletics . Retrieved August 2, 2021 .
^ "Strong on Maxwell Preseason Watch List" . University of Nevada Athletics . Retrieved August 2, 2021 .
^ Khan Jr., Sam (April 29, 2020). "Mountain West, MAC planning virtual preseason media days" . ESPN . Retrieved January 8, 2021 .
^ "Mountain West Postpones 2020 Football Virtual Media Days" . Mountain West Conference . July 20, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020 .
^ "Boise State, San Diego State Picked to Win 2020 Mountain West Football Divisional Titles" . Mountain West Conference . July 21, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020 .
^ "2020 Mountain West Football Preseason All−Conference Team" . Mountain West Conference . July 22, 2020. Retrieved August 8, 2020 .
^ Bonagura, Kyle (August 6, 2020). "Big Sky moves football season to the spring, wants FCS conferences to follow" . ESPN . Retrieved August 8, 2020 .
^ Talty, John (July 30, 2020). "SEC moves to conference-only 2020 schedule, pushes back start of season" . Advance Publications . Retrieved July 30, 2020 .
^ Bloomquist, Bret (August 7, 2020). "UTEP Miners: Nevada off football schedule" . El Paso Times . Retrieved August 8, 2020 .
^ Turner, Will (August 6, 2020). "Nevada takes USF off fall schedule, now FAU becomes opener" . 247Sports.com . Retrieved August 8, 2020 .
^ Murray, Chris (November 12, 2020). "Nevada weighs in on playing neutral-site game at Sam Boyd Stadium" . nevadasportsnet.com . Retrieved November 12, 2020 .
^ "Wyoming Cowboys vs Nevada Wolf Pack" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 6, 2020 .
^ "Nevada Wolf Pack vs UNLV Rebels" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 6, 2020 .
^ "Utah State Aggies vs Nevada Wolf Pack" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 6, 2020 .
^ "Nevada Wolf Pack vs New Mexico Lobos" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 14, 2020 .
^ "San Diego State Aztecs vs Nevada Wolf Pack" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 18, 2020 .
^ "Nevada Wolf Pack vs Hawaii Rainbow Warriors" . Odds Shark . Retrieved November 24, 2020 .
^ "Fresno State Bulldogs vs Nevada Wolf Pack" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 2, 2020 .
^ "Nevada Wolf Pack vs San Jose State Spartans" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 8, 2020 .
^ "Tulane Green Wave vs Nevada Wolf Pack" . Odds Shark . Retrieved December 17, 2020 .
Venues
Evans Field (1896–1905)
Mackay Field and Stadium (I) (1915–1965)
Mackay Stadium (1966–present)
Bowls & rivalries Culture & lore People Seasons