Wolf Pack looks to reclaim Mackay

(Editor's Note: This is the 10th in a series of 10 articles previewing football teams in the Western Athletic Conference. Today, the Appeal takes a look at the Nevada Wolf Pack.)

RENO - Chris Ault has returned for his third tour of duty with the Nevada Wolf Pack, and one of his goals is to re-establish the homefield advantage.

"We need to take back Mackay Stadium," the veteran coach said at the recent WAC Media Day. "To win the crowd back you have to win at home. We haven't done that consistently. We need people in Mackay Stadium. We'll be exciting to watch and we'll play hard."

Under Chris Tormey, who was fired after the 2003 season, the Wolf Pack was an unimpressive 10-12 at Mackay Stadium in four years. The Wolf Pack did beat Hawai'i twice at home under Tormey, but had some bad losses, too.

Ault said it's a challenge to re-establish a program, and he's excited about that challenge.

"There are three things we need to establish," he said. "One, we need to establish our standard of performance. Two, we need to establish consistency, on and off the field. We need Nevadatude and that needs to be consistent. Third is accountability. We'll hold the players and coaches accountable on and off the field."

The Wolf Pack has had some huge problems off the field. In the last two weeks alone, three players have been arrested, two on drug charges and one for a bank robbery. All three players - cornerback Steven Murphy, cornerback Rodney Landingham and defensive end Brenton Kendrick - have been dismissed from the team because of Ault's zero tolerance policy which he instituted back in December. Any player arrested on a felony charge is automatically dismissed.

"In a team sport, you're going to have certain guys that aren't going to make the right decision for the team," said free safety and defensive captain Keone Kauo. "There's always going o be a few bad apples. You just have to get rid of them.

"You're always taking a chance when you recruit people. Sometimes you make mistakes. It happens all over the country. The past year for us has been real bad."

Ault promises that things will be different, and he believes he is a better coach than before.

"You unite the past with the present to illuminate the future," Ault said. "We won't live in the past, but we'll learn from it. I've learned from observing and being an administrator the last eight years in being out of coaching.

"I have more perspective on the things outside of coaching, and I certainly know the importance of football and what effect successful football has on an athletics program and on a university."

Ault, being a former quarterback himself, brings back his wide-open Air Wolf offense. The Pack will use three and sometimes four-receiver sets with one back. Ault said the Wolf Pack will pass to set up the run.

The quarterback job is technically still open, but sophomore Jeff Rowe (22 of 47, 259 yards, 1 TD), who started two games last year, was ahead of senior Andy Heiser (164-326-2,294-13 TDs), who started 10 games. The third quarterback is Travis Moore.

"It's an interesting mix," Ault said. "Andy has a real big heart. I'm excited about Jeff's potential. He has great size (6-5) and all the tools to be a fine college quarterback."

Rowe said he was tense entering last season, and feels much more relaxed now. He believes watching Heiser play last season helped him immensely, and being more relaxed will translate into better play this year.

There are several new faces at wide receiver - JC transfer Trevor Brackett, JC transfer Caleb Spencer and senior Talib Wise, who backed up Chance Kretschmer at tailback last year. The trio will team with returnees Nichiren Flowers (35-366-2), Dell McGee (24-318-1) and Alex Rosenblum (1-6-0).

"Our receivers are very underrated," Rowe said. "Wise and Flowers are going to be two of the best in the conference."

Wise played receiver in junior college. He gained 405 yards and scored a touchdown a year ago.

"It's not been much of a transition," Wise said. "I'm a playmaker. If I get the ball in my hands, I can make plays and help the team win."

Junior Tony Moll (6-67-2) and redshirt freshman Adam Bishop are tops at tight end. Anthony Pudewell, who caught 12 passes for 123 and two scores last year, is currently No. 3. Pudewell injured his shoulder and missed spring drills.

Kretschmer, who was the top rusher in the NCAA in 2001, gained 1,162 yards and scored 12 times last year. He went over 100 yards five times, and had two games where he rushed for 170 yards or more. He's being pushed by redshirt sophomore Drew Robinson, who was impressive in spring workouts. Wise could also see time back there.

Grad student Harvey Dahl (6-5, 305) and junior Adam Kiefer (6-4, 300) start at the tackle slots. Junior Kyle Gosselin (6-2, 275) starts at center, and senior Chris Hines (6-2, 285) and John Tennert (6-2, 295) man the guard spots. The depth behind the starters is largely untested.

On defense, the Wolf Pack have new co-coordinators in Dave Fipp and Barry Sacks. Fipp said the unit will be much more aggressive than in previous years.

"We're going to do a little bit of everything," Fipp said. "We're going to have attitude and energy. We want to press people and not react to what people are doing. We want them to react to what we're doing."

The biggest question mark is at cornerback. Both Landingham and Murphy were cornerbacks and that was already the thinnest position on the team. Sophomore Paul Pratt (5-10, 185), who beat out veteran Marlon McLaughlin at the end of last year, is the projected starter at one corner. Kevin Stanley (6-0, 175), a JC transfer, redshirt freshman Roderick Stallings (5-10, 195) of Wooster, freshman D'Angelo Wilson (5-10, 185) will battle for the other starting spot.

Fipp said Luke Lippincott (6-2, 200) also has been moved to cornerback. He played some cornerback at Palma High in Salinas, Calif., but is known more for his linebacking and running ability.

Two veterans - sophomore Nick Hawthrone (6-0, 200) and senior Keone Kauo (5-11, 190) - man the safety spots. Hawthrone finished with 77 tackles and three interceptions last year, and Kauo had 86 tackles and an interception.

The linebacking corps has just one experienced player - senior Shaun Tagatauli (6-0, 230) - who had 32 tackles. Jamaal Jackson (5-11, 225), a JC transfer, and redshirt freshman Nick Fuhr (6-3, 235) are the top candidates to start at the other linebacker spots.

Senior Chris Barry (6-3, 285) and junior P.J. Hoeper (6-3, 285) will start at the tackle slots. Barry finished with 44 tackles. Junior J.J. Milan (6-4, 260) started nine games and finished with 49 stops. He's joined by junior Craig Bailey (6-4, 260), who had 18 tackles in nine games.

Senior Damon Fine, who hit 13 of 17 field goals last year returns for his senior season. Justin Bergendahl, a JC transfer, takes over the punting chores from the graduated Derek Jones.

Darrell Moody can be reached at dmoody@nevadaappeal.com, or by calling (775) 881-1281.

The Ault File

Age:58

Birthplace: San Bernardino, Calif.

Education: Nevada, 1968

Years at Nevada: Starting 20th season

Record at Nevada: 163-63-1

Notable: Was enshrined into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002.