Nevada's building for a breakthrough
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
In 1999, the presidents of Western Athletic Conference schools made a list, checked it twice, then decided to extend a membership to the University of Nevada.
It was a crushing rejection for officials from Boise State, Louisiana Tech, Utah State and New Mexico State — all of whom made elaborate pick-me-please presentations.
The Wolf Pack's football team was 2-10 in its debut season in 2000, including 1-7 in WAC games.
When Texas Christian announced it was seceding at the end of that academic year, the WAC extended invitations to Boise State and Louisiana Tech.
Louisiana Tech won the conference's football and women's basketball titles last season, and this year, Boise State is the favorite in football.
Nevada, meanwhile, was 3-8 overall last season, and a combined 3-13 in league games in its first two WAC seasons. That revived the original expansion debate: Would the new members elevate the WAC or would the league boost the new members?
Starting to be competitive
Wolf Pack coach Chris Tormey, whose team plays Hawai'i tomorrow, said Boise State — which, like Nevada, is a Big West alumnus — has proven to be an asset.
Now, Tormey is hopeful that Nevada is ready to benefit from the recent growing pains. Although Nevada is 2-3 overall, it had fourth-quarter leads against Colorado State and Nevada-Las Vegas before losing, and it beat Rice in its only WAC game so far.
"We've played a very challenging schedule," Tormey said, referring to a non-conference victory over Brigham Young and a loss to Washington State. "We played three top-25 teams. We just need to be able to finish (games) a little bit better, or we would be sitting here at 4-1."
Tormey often is reminded of the comparisons between Nevada and Boise State.
"We've been competitive, but I wouldn't say we're in the upper echelon yet," he said. "We're going to have to beat some teams like Hawai'i, Boise or Louisiana Tech to get to that level."
Tormey said the commitment to building through the recruiting of high school players prevented the Wolf Pack from having an immediate impact in the WAC. In 2000, 10 true freshmen started for the Wolf Pack. Two players on the entire roster could bench press 400 pounds.
Real depth on the charts
Although there are now nine seniors on the two-deep chart, five of whom are starters, the overall ability has improved. Under the direction of strength coach John Archer, who previously worked at Nebraska, 12 players can bench press 400 pounds. Quarterback Zack Threadgill, a fifth-year senior who entered this season with two career starts, is fifth in the nation in total offense with 336.8 yards per game. Wideout Nate Burleson is No. 1 nationally in receiving, averaging 10.6 catches per game.
"We're getting there," Tormey said. "We're not where we need to be, but we're making progress."
Nevada has managed to overcome the loss of running back Chance Kretschmer, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in the second game, against BYU. Kretschmer, a third-year sophomore, led the nation in rushing last season.
Instead of imploding, Nevada reverted to its 2000 offense, which features multiple formations out of a one-back set. "We can have two or three tight ends in the game or five wide receivers," Tormey said. "We're just going to try and do the best we can and take advantage of the skills of our players."
