Pieces falling into place as Nevada football starts fall camp

Jeff Choate has one spring football camp under his belt at Nevada, and now the Wolf Pack's first-year coach is in full fall camp mode.

Of course, he's not new at fall camp. Choate has done this many times in a coaching career spanning 32 years.

One big difference from spring to fall at Nevada is that now he and the assistant coaches have pretty good idea of the depth chart.

"We're out of the evaluation period. We're more into 'these are the guys we think are going to be on the two-deep.' That seeding chart is a little more solidified," Choate said. "We're putting our personnel groups together in a way that is almost like game planning. You don't really do that in the spring."

Promoting unity is key this season, and the Wolf Pack coaches and players have "FTNB" on the back of their shirts — "For the Nevada Brotherhood/Boys."

Choate said some of the Polynesian players on the team came up with that.

"We talk about unity being a big part of our culture and that was one of the things we really had to work on In the offseason," he said.

Nevada opens the season at home against SMU on Aug. 24 (5 p.m. , TV: CBS Network).

He said that while most of the positions are falling into place, deciding who will start at quarterback might take most of the fall camp. Brendon Lewis was the leader last spring. But he has competition in Chubba Purdy, Anthony Grigsby and AJ Bianco.

Choate said the running back position should be a strong one for Nevada, as Sean Dollars is back and at full strength after suffering a scary head injury to end the spring game last April. Dollars was taken to the hospital after that game but all tests were negative and he is cleared to return. Ashton Hayes is also back at full strength after suffering an ACL injury in the fourth game last season and missing the rest of the year. Hayes also could see a lot of time at slot receiver; the Pack has about six players who could fit in the backfield.

Choate said the tight end group is thin and young and some of the backs could help at that spot.

He said the quarterback battle could extend through the first five preseason games and not be settled on until Mountain West play starts Oct. 5 at San José State.

The practice schedule

The Wolf Pack is not doing double-day practices, but Choate is changing the times each week. The first week, the Pack practiced in the afternoon; the second week practices will be held in the morning and the in the third week, practices will move to the evenings. Choate said that is to help the players get a feel for and learn how to prepare for games which will start at all different times.

"We're going to have to play some afternoon games. It's going to be warm. Being able to train in the heat is an important part of this," Choate said. "We're training their body for this is what it feels like when we have a 2:30 or 2:45 kick."

Choate said he primarily looking for improvement and effort in the fall practices.

He said another goal in practice is to not show fatigue to opponents, no hands on hips or bending over gasping for air.

"We want to be a tough outfit and sometimes you've got to fake it to make it. Practicing that is an important part of this. Not showing weakness to the opponent," Choate said. "Not showing weakness to your teammates, if you are a leader. Maybe things aren't going great for you, but you're not having a game you want, but everybody is still watching you.. You've got have head back, chest out. Let's go."

Matt Lubick

Lubick has joined the Pack in person as an assistant coach after undergoing treatment for leukemia. He has been up in the booth during practice, simulating play-calling during games. He was communicating with the coaches and players via Zoom calls for much of the spring

"I'm listening to him communicate, and it's like riding a bike for him," Choate said.

Lubick began his coaching career in 1995 as a student assistant coach and academic supervisor under his father, Sonny Lubick at Colorado State. Lubick was the offensive coordinator at Nebraska (2020-21), Washington (2017-18), and Oregon (2016), and spent the past two seasons (2022-23) as a senior analyst at Kansas.

"He's very poised, really smart guy," Choate said of Lubick. "His presence is giving our offense a little bump and good energy."

Nevada football schedule

• Saturday, Aug. 24 - vs. SMU - 5 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Saturday, Aug. 31 - at Troy - 4 p.m. (ESPN+)
• Saturday, Sept. 7 - vs. Georgia Southern - 4 p.m. (truTV and Max)
• Saturday, Sept. 14 - at Minnesota - 12:30 p.m. (B1G Network)
• Saturday, Sept. 21 - vs. Eastern Washington - noon
• Saturday, Oct. 5 - at San José State - 4:30 p.m. (truTV & Max)
• Saturday, Oct. 12 - vs. Oregon State - 4:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Friday, Oct. 18 - vs. Fresno State - 7:30 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Saturday, Oct. 26 - at Hawai'i - TBD
• Saturday, Nov. 2 - vs. Colorado State - 5 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)
• Saturday, Nov. 9 - at Boise State - TBD (Fox Networks)
• Saturday, Nov. 23 - Air Force - TBD (Fox Networks)
• Saturday, Nov. 30 - at UNLV - 5 p.m. (CBS Sports Network)

This article originally appeared on Reno Gazette Journal: Pieces falling into place as Nevada football starts fall camp