The Nevada Wolf Pack entered the 2025 campaign with a stark reality: their offense ranked 126th out of 134 FBS teams, averaging just 17.6 points per game. The numbers reflected a unit that struggled to move the ball, convert third downs, and sustain drives, leaving the team with limited margin for error.
Enter Brett Bartolone, the newly hired offensive coordinator who brings a decade of experience from Colorado and Jackson State. Known for his ability to develop balanced attack schemes, Bartolone is tasked with reshaping the Wolf Pack’s playbook and instilling a more aggressive down‑field philosophy that can compete in the upgraded Mountain West landscape.
The quarterback battle is already generating buzz. Sophomore Carter Jones and junior Luke Duncan are slated to battle for the starting role, each bringing a different skill set. Jones offers mobility and poise under pressure, while Duncan provides a stronger arm and a track record of clutch performances in practice scrimmages.
The Wolf Pack has not tasted bowl action since the 2021 season and carries a 6‑19 record under head coach Jeff Choate. Adding to the pressure is the annual Battle for the Fremont Cannon, a rivalry the team has lost four consecutive times to UNLV. Reversing that trend is a top priority as the program seeks to restore pride among its fan base.
This year’s schedule adds another layer of challenge. Nevada will travel to face each of the three new Mountain West members — North Dakota State, Northern Illinois, and UTEP — all on the road, including a trip to Fargo to meet the Bison, a program projected to finish ahead of the Pack in conference projections. The early road tests will serve as a litmus test for Bartolone’s system and the quarterbacks’ readiness.
A New Era for the Wolf Pack
With a blend of fresh leadership, a competitive quarterback room, and a demanding non‑conference road trip, the Wolf Pack hopes to rewrite its recent narrative. The upcoming Mountain West Media Days will provide the first public glimpse of how the new pieces fit together, and fans will be watching closely to see whether the adjustments translate into wins on the field.