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Iowa football early opponent preview: Nevada
Wolf Pack looking to rebuild after losing several starters, head coach after 2021
Editor’s note: This is third in a 12-part series previewing Iowa football’s 2022 opponents.
There’s not much doubt about the status of Iowa’s third nonconference opponent, the Nevada Wolf Pack.
Iowa’s opponent from the Mountain West Conference is in clear rebuilding mode in 2022.
The Wolf Pack lost head coach Jay Norvell and several key contributors from a 2021 team that lost, 52-24, to Western Michigan in the Quick Lane Bowl. Norvell, a former Hawkeye, now is at Colorado State.
Nevada’s new head coach, Ken Wilson has coached college football for more than three decades, but this will be his first year as a head coach.
Nevada historically has relied on an effective passing game, but last year’s starting quarterback, Carson Strong, now is an undrafted free agent with the Philadelphia Eagles. Oklahoma State transfer Shane Illingworth is the most likely replacement.
The five Wolf Pack players to have 300-plus receiving yards in 2021 also are all gone. Running back Toa Taua is one of the few returning starters on offense.
The Wolf Pack’s defense might not be much better. Defensive tackle Dom Peterson is the lone Nevada defensive player to earn all-conference recognition from Athlon Sports.
Iowa vs. Nevada: 3 things to watch
- How effective will Illingworth be for the Wolf Pack? The ex-Oklahoma State backup was a four-star recruit coming out of high school and had plenty of Power Five offers. He didn’t see the field much in Stillwater, Okla., aside from a start against Missouri State when the usual starter was in COVID-19 protocols. He’ll have a tall task with an inexperienced offense around him.
- How Big Ten-ready do the 2022 Hawkeyes look at this point? After the Hawkeyes are done with the Wolfpack, they’ll play three of their next four games on the road. That four-game stretch includes Michigan and Ohio State.
- How healthy will Iowa be by the end of this game? The healthier Iowa is for a challenging stretch of Big Ten games ahead, the better.
2022 prognosis
Nevada, at this point in the preseason, appears to be the worst opponent on Iowa’s 2022 schedule by a decent margin. The Sept. 17 clash should be a good tuneup opportunity for the Hawkeyes ahead of a more difficult stretch of five weeks.
Iowa football opponent previews
Comments: (319) 398-8394; john.steppe@thegazette.com
Nevada running back Toa Taua (35) runs down the sideline with the ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Boise State, Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021, in Boise, Idaho. (AP Photo/Steve Conner)
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