Nevada Athletics
Nevada will try to stack back-to-back wins this Saturday when Middle Tennessee comes to Mackay Stadium for a 2 p.m. kickoff. The Wolf Pack, fresh off a nail-biting 20-17 victory over Sacramento State, are hoping to turn a September homestand into early-season momentum. Fans can catch the game on Nevada Sports Net or stream it through the Mountain West App, with Alex Margulies, Lucas Weber, and Shannon Kelly on the call.
The Pack Radio Network will also be live across Northern Nevada with John Ramey, Mike Edwards, and Terrence Newman providing coverage, beginning with a one-hour pregame show at 1 p.m.
Before kickoff, Mackay will host the second annual Wolf Pack Beerfest from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., giving fans a chance to enjoy unlimited tastings and grab a commemorative glass before heading inside for kickoff.
A First-Time Matchup
This is the first-ever meeting between Nevada and Middle Tennessee, though the Wolf Pack will return the favor with a trip to Murfreesboro next season.
Scouting Middle Tennessee
It’s been a rough start for Derek Mason’s squad. The Blue Raiders are 0-2, coming off losses to Austin Peay (34-14) and Wisconsin (42-10). The offense has struggled to find its footing, managing just 77 rushing yards combined through two games while allowing 10 sacks.
Quarterback Nicholas Vattiato, a veteran in his fifth season as the starter, has completed just over 52 percent of his passes for 301 yards and three touchdowns. His top target, Nahzae Cox, has hauled in nine catches for 125 yards and two scores.
Defensively, Middle Tennessee has been active behind the line of scrimmage with 14 tackles-for-loss in two games. Damonte Smith leads that effort with four TFLs, while Parker Hughes and Muaaz Byard have each tallied 14 tackles.
Nevada’s Defensive Edge
Nevada’s defense has been the difference so far. After posting six tackles-for-loss against Penn State, the Pack piled up seven more against Sacramento State. Dylan Labarbera has been disruptive with 4.5 TFLs already, while Jonathan Maldonado delivered the game-winning play last week — a 36-yard pick-six in the fourth quarter.
Head coach Jeff Choate praised Maldonado back in the spring, and the redshirt junior has lived up to it with game-sealing plays in two different seasons. His knack for timely takeaways could prove critical against a Middle Tennessee offense still searching for rhythm.
What’s at Stake
For Nevada (1-1), Saturday is about keeping momentum rolling at home and avoiding a stumble against an opponent still trying to establish itself. For Middle Tennessee (0-2), it’s about finding any spark to avoid digging a deeper early-season hole.
Mackay Stadium should have some extra buzz with Beerfest pregame and Nevada’s first-ever meeting with the Blue Raiders. If the Pack defense continues its disruptive ways, the home crowd might just head home celebrating a 2-0 start in Reno.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
