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Hawaii vs. Nevada Game Preview: Keys For A Warriors Win
How can Hawaii defeat the undefeated Wolf Pack?
Contact/Follow @JeremyMauss & @MWCwire
Warriors will need some defense to win.
WEEK 13: Nevada Wolf Pack (5-0) vs. Hawaii Warriors (2-3)
WHEN: Saturday, November 28 — 8:00 PM PT/6:00 PM HT
WHERE: Aloha Stadium; Honolulu, HI
TV: Spectrum Sports Pay-Per-View
STREAMING: For fans on the mainland, the game can be streamed using the Team1Sports application, which is available for download on Android and Apple devices and over-the-top platforms like Roku and Amazon Fire. Please note that the game will not be available on desktops or laptops.
You can also find the audio broadcast on TuneIn.
RADIO: The Nevada broadcast can be found in and around Reno on 94.5 FM and elsewhere on the Wolf Pack Radio Network. The Hawaii broadcast can be found on the ESPN Radio affiliate in Honolulu, on 1420 AM and 92.7 FM.
SERIES RECORD: Nevada leads the series 14-10. However, in the last meeting on September 28, 2019, the Warriors routed the Wolf Pack in Reno, 54-3.
LAST WEEK: Nevada defeated San Diego State at home, 26-21, while Hawaii lost to Boise at home, 40-32.
WEBSITES: NevadaWolfPack.com, the official Nevada athletics website | GoAztecs.com, the official Hawaii athletics website
GAME NOTES (PDF): Nevada | Hawaii
ODDS (as of 11/25, via BetMGM): Nevada -7
SP+ PROJECTION: Nevada by 9.6 (71% win probability)
This will be a tough test for both teams and don’t let the 2-3 record fool anyone about Hawaii.
The Warriors have the offense to keep pace with Nevada but not all of the time. Hawaii’s running game is an issue and could be a reason why the Warriors do not win the game but they have other aspects to their team to get the win.
1. Running game must step up
As mentioned, the ground game needs to step up and it has to be more than Chevan Cordeiro who is currently leading the Warriors in rushing yards and touchdowns ahead of Miles Reed who is the main running back. It is not all the fault of the running back group as the offensive line which was to be a strength but has been a disaster beyond belief.
Get the offensive line in check and the ground game will follow but once that happens will be the first time all year that has been successful. But slowing down the giant human that is Dom Peterson will be a tall task.
2. Get Calvin Turner the ball
Last week, Turner found the end zone five times which included a pair of two-point conversions. He leads the team with seven touchdowns with five of them happening in the prior three games. In the prior two games, he has nine receptions which is three more than the first three games combine which he had just six total catches.
Any way he can get the ball is good and especially on the ground game because the Warriors rushing attack is in desperate need of a punch in the arm which is incidentally another key for the Warriors to get the upset win.
3. Disrupt the passing attack
Nevada’s passing offense is not just the best in the conference but it is one of the best in the country. Carson Strong leads the conference in nearly every passing category and he gets the opportunity to throw to Romeo Doubs who is coincidentally one of the best wide receivers in the country.
However, this pass defense that Nevada is going up against in Hawaii could be the toughest test all year. The Warriors secondary leads the conference with seven interceptions, second in yards per game, and they also are at the top of the league in passes broken up and defended.
Nevada did move the ball against San Diego State fairly well and it that secondary and Hawaii’s passing defense is about as good. However, for the win, Warriors need the likes of Eugune Ford, Jeremiah Pritchard and others to make plays in that secondary. Whoever lines up with Doubs will have their hands full and is the key player Hawaii needs to stop.
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