2008 OUTLOOK: Nevada certainly wants to be considered as a contender in the WAC -- and given the Wolf Pack's explosive offense, they should be. But questions remain about the team's defense, questions that were not answered in spring practice. The program is bringing in eight new defensive backs, most of whom arrive this fall.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
The quarterback question will be one of the most intriguing in the fall. Will the Wolf Pack stick with dazzling sophomore Colin Kaepernick, who emerged late last season as one of the best in the conference? Or will Nick Graziano, who won the job last year before injuring his foot, win the job again? No matter who is at quarterback, the Wolf Pack will have a formidable running attack, led by All-WAC TB Luke Lippincott and an offensive line that could be the league's best. C Dominic Green anchors, but expect big things from G Greg Hall and T Alonzo Durham.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
There are questions at linebacker and defensive back. The Wolf Pack graduated standout LB Ezra Butler and lost expected leader Kevin Porter to injury. Much of the leadership will fall on Joshua Mauga in the middle. The secondary should be better as Nevada added eight new players to the defensive backfield in hopes of improving on last year's dismal performance. DE Kevin Basped, a 6-foot-6 sophomore, could help take pressure off the secondary by applying it to opposing quarterbacks. Nevada is running a base 4-3 defense after switching from the 3-4 in the middle of last year.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Senior Brett Jaekle returns to handle the kicking and punting duties. Jaekle was 16 of 21 on field-goal attempts last year, but averaged just 33.0 yards on four punts. WR Art King Jr. will be the primary kick returner and Dwayne Sanders the top punt returner. Neither handled those jobs last year.

ROSTER REPORT

--Nevada is awaiting word from the NCAA on the status of DE Erics Clark. Clark, a fifth-year senior last year, missed much of the season with pneumonia and a knee injury, so he petitioned the NCAA for a sixth year of eligibility. The NCAA has not ruled on the request.

--LB Jerome Johnson broke his right hand during the spring game. Johnson should be able to begin weight lifting by the end of April.

--LB Kevin Porter's career is over because of a neck injury.

--Several players left the team after spring ball, including QB Pete Murdaca and RBs Mike Kanellis and Brandon Baldwin. None were expected to have a significant role for the Wolf Pack.

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