SPRING OBJECTIVES
The Wolf Pack started spring practice on Feb. 29, the earliest of any team in the Western Athletic Conference. Rather than do their conditioning work before spring practice, as is customary, the Wolf Pack will have five weeks of conditioning after spring ball.

The spring was particularly important for new defensive coordinator Nigel Burton and new cornerbacks coach James Ward.

Their impact was evident in a stronger pass rush and more turnovers. Nevada's defense still gave up plenty of big plays during the spring, a problem last season.

BUILDING BLOCKS
QB Colin Kaepernick dazzled during spring scrimmages, a sign that the sophomore could be ready to take another step this year. Thrown into the starting lineup after an injury to Nick Graziano last year, Kaepernick was spectacular at times and inconsistent at others.

If he can weed out that inconsistency, he might be the best quarterback in the WAC, especially given the offensive weapons around him.

RB Luke Lippincott led the WAC in rushing last year (1,420 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns). Lippincott's bruising style is a good complement to Kaepernick's speed in the running game.

Wide receivers Marko Mitchell (53 catches, 1,129 yards) and Mike McCoy (32, 617) also return. The offensive line is a veteran unit, anchored by senior center Dominic Green.

SCHEDULE SITUATION
No one can accuse the Wolf Pack of soft scheduling. Yes, Nevada opens with Grambling State on Aug. 30, but the Wolf Pack then play two good Big 12 schools -- home vs. Texas Tech (Sept. 6) and on the road against Missouri (Sept. 13).

Nevada follows those two games with its rivalry game at UNLV before opening the conference schedule.

Games with Fresno State (Nov. 1) and Boise State (Nov. 22) likely will determine the Wolf Pack's conference fate.

QUOTE TO NOTE
"The thing I liked about the entire scrimmage, whether the offense was moving the ball or the defense was stuffing the offense, both sides continued to keep their poise and show a sense of urgency. It wasn't a letdown on either side," -- Nevada coach Chris Ault told the Reno Gazette-Journal after the Wolf Pack's final spring scrimmage.

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