CHRIS MURRAY
Wolf Pack grades: Coaches get an "A" for Nevada's inspired effort
RGJ
Grades from the Wolf Pack football team's 38-16 win over San Jose State on Saturday.
B+ – After struggling the past four games, the Wolf Pack put everything together in this one. The run game went for a season-best 311 yards, four touchdowns and 6.1 yards per carry. Cody Fajardo, who ran for a score, was an efficient 20-of-27 for 171 yards and a touchdown. Nevada did have one turnover, on its own 1-yard line, but was much closer to the unit that posted back-to-back 40-plus point games earlier this year than the group that faltered in recent outings. The Nevada offensive line was outstanding.
B+ – The Wolf Pack allowed just one touchdown and held San Jose State to three long field goals. Nevada pitched a second-half shutout, when its defensive line cracked up the pressure. The Wolf Pack had a season-best 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. The much-maligned run defense held SJSU to 58 rushing yards and 1.9 yards per carry. Nevada has shown some glimpses of strong play this season, but it put together an excellent effort over 60 minutes, especially when SJSU got into Wolf Pack territory.
A – Kicker Brent Zuzo hit a 44-yard field and punter Chase Tenpenny had one of the best games of his career, averaging 51.2 yards per punt, with two inside the 20-yard line. The Wolf Pack had season longs in kick return (a 39-yarder from Jerico Richardson) and punt return (a 22-yarder by Joe Huber). The coverage units were excellent, too. This was Nevada's best special teams game of the season, by far.
A – Some teams would have quit at this point in the season, with a bowl berth being eliminated and Nevada riding a five-game skid. But coach Brian Polian and his staff got his team to play inspired ball and put together its best game of the season. This team didn't quit on the staff, which is a good sign for the future. The play-calling on offense and defense were excellent, aided by improved execution, and Nevada grew stronger in the second half instead of wilting, like we've seen earlier in the season.