McNamara can save Pack football from itself. So, there is already a strong connection between the McNamara family and the Pack. Wilson, a former college baseball player himself, was frequently seen in the Peccole Park press box watching baseball games. McNamara’s father Gary, after all, was a Wolf Pack assistant baseball coach when current Pack football head coach Ken Wilson was a Pack football assistant. Now that he’s had his taste of big-time college football does he want to come back to Northern Nevada and become a hometown hero and a legend? The Wolf Pack owes it to Northern Nevada and to its struggling football program to find out. This past season he suffered a knee injury and played parts of just three games (beating Jay Norvell and Colorado State in the season opener). He played in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff that season, falling to Georgia. He led Michigan to the Big Ten title in 2021, beating Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin, Iowa and others along the way. McNamara spent the last four years at Michigan (redshirting in 2019 and getting an extra year of eligibility in 2020 because of COVID-19), throwing for 3,181 yards and 21 touchdowns. What better way for the Wolf Pack to restore its severely damaged connection to its Pack-apathetic community? And all it might take is a simple text followed by a phone call.ĭamonte High graduate Cade McNamara, the Nevada high school record-holder for passing yards (12,084) and touchdown passes (146), is now in the NCAA’s transfer portal and looking for a new home to play his final two years of college football. One of Northern Nevada’s own comes back home to turn the Wolf Pack football program around. Let Darnold be Darnold.It is Nevada Wolf Pack perfection. But against Western Michigan, it seemed the offensive philosophy was to have Darnold stay more in the pocket. Last year, Darnold was at his most dangerous when he was in the run-pass option, which allowed him to stress the defense. He did not get on the field against Western Michigan.ġ0. Have Sam Darnold scramble more. This is a critical game so he might as well sub in some younger players who might play beyond expectations.įor several weeks in training camp, the coaches complimented the play of freshman wide receiver Josh Imatorbhebhe. But there are some spots, like wide receiver, that need a youth infusion. The best-known case being Max Browne over Darnold to start last season. Helton likes to reward his loyal veterans. Center Nico Falah is a redshirt junior, so this should be one of the easiest fixes.ĩ. Talent over tenure. How many times did Sam Darnold deal with poor snaps against Western Michigan? There was even a fumble. Remember in the Rose Bowl, USC came out passing in the first half so balance is unnecessary if one area works.Ĩ. Snap the ball straight. But with tailback Ronald Jones averaging 8.8 yards per carry and Stephen Carr at 9.9 it’s OK to grind it down the field. USC tried to be balanced between running and passing. It could be disastrous in Week 2.ħ. If the run works, stick with it. It was the first start for sophomore linebacker John Houston, who was caught out of place on some running plays, when he was watching instead of plugging gaps. That needs to change or some of the defense might wilt.Ħ. Coach up the linebackers. What the iron-man effort demonstrated is how reluctant the Trojans are to use their reserve cornerbacks. “He never seems to get tired,” USC coach Clay Helton said. Remember, the Coliseum temperature gauge soared above 105 degrees. Cornerback Jack Jones was in for 97 plays at cornerback and special teams. So what does USC do at a key moment in the game? It kicks down the middle to Phillips, who promptly returned it 100 yards for a touchdown.ĭid we mention USC probably practices special teams more than any program in the nation?ĥ. Substitute more often. Western Michigan kick returner Darius Phillips entered the game with three kick returns for touchdowns and two of 100 yards. At least that is better than last season when the Trojans had eight men on the field for at least two extra points against Stanford.ģ. Don’t kick to the star return specialist. So USC is ahead 28-21, gives up a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and then has 10 men on the field for the extra point. So should USC.Ģ. Don’t have 10 men on the field for an extra point. “I think the crew would rethink it,” he said. Special teams coach John Baxter said Wednesday the officials started the play clock early. This is such an outlandish penalty it should never happen again. So here is a list of things to correct against Stanford:ġ. Do not get a delay of game on a kickoff. The seventh-ranked Trojans have a relatively easy fix-it list before facing the 14th-ranked Cardinal. LOS ANGELES - USC performed below expectations against Western Michigan, but there was a silver lining heading into Saturday’s Stanford game.
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