Washington State will try to recover from a disappointing opening week when the Cougars travel to Reno Friday night to face the Nevada Wolfpack.
How to watch Washington State vs. Nevada: Preview, TV schedule, betting line and more
Can the Cougars respond after a poor first week showing?
James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
The Cougars opened their 2014 season on Thursday night, hosting Rutgers as an 8-point home favorite. The game did not exactly go as planned: Washington State gave up 17 fourth-quarter points to the Scarlet Knights en route to a 41-38 defeat. The defense lost three starters in the secondary from last season and it showed: Rutgers quarterback Gary Nova averaged 10.4 yards per throw. Perhaps more concerning was the Cougar rush defense: Rutgers averaged 5.0 yards per carry and Paul James scored three touchdowns on the ground.
Nevada hosted Southern Utah in its opener last week. The Wolfpack took a 28-6 lead early in the fourth quarter, but gave up two late touchdowns that made the 28-19 final appear closer than the game actually was. All three Southern Utah touchdowns came on plays of 39 yards or more (with two more than 70 yards). If Nevada keeps giving up big plays, it could spell doom against the Cougars’ air raid offense.
How to witness
TV: Friday night, 10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
Radio: Here’s a list of Washington State affiliates.
Online streaming: WatchESPN
The numbers
Rankings and records: Neither team is ranked. Despite their relative proximity, Washington State and Nevada have only played twice in the past. The Cougars lead the all-time series 2-0.
Vegas: Washington State is a 4-point favorite. The over/under is 67 points.
Weather forecast: 63 degrees and clear.
Three names to know
Connor Halliday, QB, Washington State. It's a Mike Leach offense, so the Cougars will throw the ball a lot. Halliday completed 40 of 56 pass attempts in the loss to Rutgers, recording 532 yards and five touchdowns. Neither of those were career highs -- he threw for 557 yards against Oregon last season and passed for six touchdowns against Colorado State in the New Mexico Bowl.
Vince Mayle, WR, Washington State. At 6'3 and 219 pounds, Mayle is a big target for Halliday and has been targeted plenty. He led all Cougar receivers against Rutgers with 12 receptions for 124 yards (with one touchdown), and caught seven touchdown passes last season.
Cody Fajardo, QB, Nevada. Washington State isn't the only team in Friday's game with a senior at quarterback. Fajardo is a four-year starter for the Wolfpack, and is an equal threat on the ground and in the air. He passed for 303 yards against Southern Utah with one touchdown pass, adding 68 yards and a score on the ground. He had an interception returned for a touchdown in Week 1, but he usually protects the ball effectively: Fajardo threw just three interceptions all last season.
Two things at stake
Washington State’s bowl chances are officially in question after losing to Rutgers, with a tough conference schedule looking more daunting by the minute. A win could get them back on the right track, with only a game against FCS Portland State between the Cougars and a home date with Oregon.
Nevada also needs this win to help its bowl chances. The Wolfpack have a favorable Mountain West slate, but have struggled since longtime head coach Chris Ault left the program and face many questions on both sides of the ball.
Further reading
For more on Washington State, head to CougCenter. For more on Nevada and the rest of the Mountain West conference, check out Mountain West Connection.
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