Penn State Sports Magazine
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1537537
8 8 A U G U S T 2 0 2 5 W W W . B L U E W H I T E O N L I N E . C O M Penn State has never played Nevada, its opening-day opponent for the 2025 season. In fact, the Nittany Lions have never played eight of the Mountain West Conference's dozen current mem- bers. Of the six games they have played against MWC opponents all-time, only two have taken place in the current mil- lennium. Despite the two programs having no shared history, there is one Nittany Lion who's acquainted with the Wolf Pack. Transfer receiver Devonte Ross was play- ing for Troy last year when it faced Ne- vada in Game 2. A junior at the time, Ross lit up the Wolf Pack secondary, totaling 101 yards on 7 catches, both game-highs, and scoring a late touchdown. Ross' performance didn't lead to a Trojans win — Nevada held on, 28-26 — but it was indicative of what oppo- nents were able to do against Nevada last season. The Wolf Pack surrendered 28.8 points per game, ranking 95th in the FBS. Ross will no doubt be excited to see this secondary again when he suits up for the Nittany Lions for the first time. The Pack's hopes for defensive im- provement this fall will depend on how well the unit's many transfers jell with the contingent of returnees who are vy- ing for first-team roles. Only one starter — senior defensive tackle Thomas Witte — is back from a defense that last year allowed opponents to average 5.1 yards per carry. Witte, a former walk-on, started 29 games over the past three seasons. Other expe- rienced returnees include linebackers Austin Harnetiaux and Stone Combs, who combined for 102 tackles last year. Most of the incoming transfers hail from other Group of Five schools. On offense, the Pack is looking for likely starting quarterback Chubba Purdy to stage a late-career revival. The former four-star quarterback prospect spent two injury-plagued seasons apiece at Florida State and Nebraska before ar- riving at Nevada last year. Slowed by a shoulder injury, he attempted only 25 passes all season and goes into his sixth year of college football having played in just 23 games over five seasons. Wideout Marcus Bellon, who had 39 catches for 522 yards and 4 touchdowns last year, returns for the Wolf Pack. In addition, Nevada welcomes back tight end Jace Henry after he missed the team's last nine games in 2024 with a foot injury. The backfield lost last year's top four rushers and will feature Caleb Ramseur and Utah State transfer Herschel Turner. Ramseur carried 32 times for 110 yards in 2024, while Turner had 405 yards and 4 touchdowns on just 79 attempts (5.1 yards per carry) for the Aggies. A year ago, the Wolf Pack went win- less in conference play, but that record doesn't tell the whole story. Losses to San Jose State, Fresno State, Boise State and Air Force came by a combined margin of 17 points. Nevada also came within five points of future College Football Playoff participant SMU on opening day, and it stunned Oregon State, 42-37, in October. Growing pains were not unexpected given that Jeff Choate was in his first year as a head coach at the FBS level af- ter four seasons at Montana State. He transformed the Bobcats into FCS playoff semifinalists, so he knows how to build a program. Choate is facing a massive chal- lenge to start his second season at Nevada, but once opening day is behind him, it wouldn't be surprising to see his team make some strides this fall. — Matt Herb A U G . 3 0 | 3 : 3 0 P. M . | C B S | B E A V E R S T A D I U M | S T A T E C O L L E G E Sixth-year senior quarterback Chubba Purdy is aiming to stay healthy after struggling with injuries throughout his career. PHOTO COURTESY NEVADA ATHLETICS GAME 1 NEVADA 2025 SCHEDULE Date Opponent 2024 Result Aug. 30 at Penn State — Sept. 6 Sacramento State — Sept. 13 Middle Tennessee State — Sept. 20 at Western Kentucky — Oct. 4 at Fresno State L, 24-21 Oct. 11 San Diego State — Oct. 18 at New Mexico — Oct. 25 Boise State L, 28-21 Nov. 8 at Utah State — Nov. 15 San Jose State L, 35-31 Nov. 22 at Wyoming — Nov. 29 UNLV L, 38-14 BEST-CASE SCENARIO The Wolf Pack won't be expected to hang with Penn State for four quarters, but the schedule gets more manageable after opening day. A healthy Chubba Purdy could help Nevada get back to bowl contention after missing out on postseason play the past three years. WORST-CASE SCENARIO The rebuilt defense could struggle just as last year's unit did when it allowed 192.8 yards per game on the ground to rank 113th in the FBS. QUICK FACTS All-Time Series: First meeting Head Coach: Jeff Choate (3-10 in one season at Nevada; career coaching record: 31-32) 2024 Record: 3-10, 0-7 Mountain West Returning Starters: 4 (3 offense, 1 defense) RETURNING LEADERS Rushing: RB Caleb Ramseur (110 yards, 1 TD) Passing: QB Chubba Purdy (239 yards, 1 TD) Receiving: WR Marcus Bellon (522 yards, 4 TD) Tackles: LB Stone Combs (58) Sacks: DE Jonathan Maldonado (1.5) Interceptions: None