The Mountain West is entering a period of flux, with traditional powerhouses like Boise State and San Diego State departing for the Pac‑12 while new entrants such as North Dakota State and Northern Illinois bring fresh energy to the league.
For Nevada, the shift represents both a challenge and an opportunity. Head coach Jeff Choate, now in his second year at the helm, sees the expanded conference as a chance to test his team against a broader spectrum of competition.
A New Era for the Mountain West
Choate emphasized that the league’s new identity will be defined by high‑octane offenses and the emergence of elite talent that can thrive in a more open environment.
Nevada’s schedule reflects a deliberate strategy. By arranging a non‑conference matchup with FCS powerhouse Montana State, the Wolf Pack hopes to create a vibrant atmosphere at Mackay Stadium while gauging progress before stepping into the tougher Mountain West slate.
Under new offensive coordinator Brett Bartolone, Nevada is moving away from a purely run‑first philosophy. The revamped scheme aims to balance the ground game with a more dynamic passing attack, giving quarterbacks more agency and diversifying play‑calling.
Key figures such as quarterback Dylan LaBarbera and veteran defender Jack Foster are expected to anchor the team’s culture. Both players have spoken about the importance of forcing turnovers and capitalizing on third‑down opportunities, metrics that Choate believes will dictate the season’s trajectory.
Fall camp is slated to begin on August 5, setting the stage for a season opener against Western Kentucky on September 5. The early practices will be crucial for identifying the players who can translate the new system into on‑field success.