# 2016 Nevada Wolf Pack football team

The 2016 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in the 2016 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolf Pack were led by fourth–year head coach Brian Polian and played their home games at Mackay Stadium. They were members of the West Division of the Mountain West Conference. They finished the season 5–7 and 3–5 in Mountain West play to finish in a three–way tie for third place in the West Division.
On November 27, Polian and Nevada agreed to part ways. He finished at Nevada with a four year record of 23–27. Polian later returned to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish football as special teams coordinator under head coach Brian Kelly after previously serving under head coach Charlie Weis from 2005 to 2009.

## Preseason
### Mountain West media days

The Mountain West media days were held on July 26–27, 2016, at the Cosmopolitan in Paradise, Nevada.

### Media poll

The preseason poll was released on July 26, 2016. The Wolf Pack were predicted to finish in second place in the MW West Division.
West :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | San Diego State | 174 (29) |
| 2 | Nevada | 129 |
| 3 | San Jose State | 122 |
| 4 | Fresno State | 76 |
| 5 | UNLV | 73 |
| 6 | Hawaii | 35 |
Mountain :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Boise State | 172 (27) |
| 2 | Air Force | 126 (2) |
| 3 | Utah State | 111 |
| 4 | Colorado State | 95 |
| 5 | New Mexico | 74 |
| 6 | Wyoming | 31 |

### Preseason All–Mountain West Team

The Wolf Pack had one player selected to the preseason All–Mountain West Team; one from the defense.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 6:30 p.m. | Cal Poly (Div. I FCS)* | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | Campus Insiders | W 30–27 $^{OT}$ | 19,138 |
| September 10 | 12:30 p.m. | at No. 18 Notre Dame* | Notre Dame StadiumSouth Bend, IN | NBC | L 10–39 | 80,795 |
| September 17 | 6:00 p.m. | Buffalo* | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | Campus Insiders/Twitter | W 38–14 | 20,457 |
| September 24 | 9:00 a.m. | at Purdue* | Ross–Ade StadiumWest Lafayette, IN | ESPNews | L 14–24 | 41,607 |
| October 1 | 9:00 p.m. | at Hawaii | Aloha StadiumHalawa, HI | Campus Insiders/Oceanic PPV | L 17–38 | 23,593 |
| October 8 | 4:00 p.m. | Fresno State | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | ESPN3 | W 27–22 | 22,411 |
| October 15 | 7:30 p.m. | at San Jose State | CEFCU StadiumSan Jose, CA | CBSSN | L 10–14 | 15,161 |
| October 22 | 7:30 p.m. | Wyoming | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | ESPN2 | L 34–42 | 18,877 |
| November 5 | 7:15 p.m. | at New Mexico | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM (Battle of the Wolves) | ESPNU | L 26–35 | 17,290 |
| November 12 | 7:30 p.m. | San Diego State | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | CBSSN | L 16–46 | 16,730 |
| November 19 | 1:00 p.m. | Utah State | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | ESPN3 | W 38–37 | 13,390 |
| November 26 | 1:00 p.m. | at UNLV | Sam Boyd StadiumWhitney, NV (Battle for the Fremont Cannon / Governor's Series) | ESPN3 | W 45–10 | 23,569 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Pacific time |||||||

## Game summaries
### Cal Poly

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Mustangs (Div. I FCS) | 7 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 3 | 27 |
| • Wolf Pack | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 30 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –21.5 | 64 |
| Statistics | Cal Poly | Nevada |
| First downs | 23 | 18 |
| Total yards | 445 | 363 |
| Rushing yards | 383 | 174 |
| Passing yards | 62 | 189 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 36:09 | 23:51 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Cal Poly | Passing | Dano Graves | 5/12, 62 yards |
| Cal Poly | Rushing | Dano Graves | 26 carries, 140 yards, 2 TDs |
| Cal Poly | Receiving | Carson McMurtrey | 2 receptions, 25 yards |
| Nevada | Passing | Tyler Stewart | 17/23, 189 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 21 carries, 123 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Andrew Celis | 2 receptions, 47 yards |

### At Notre Dame

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| • No. 18 Fighting Irish | 0 | 25 | 14 | 0 | 39 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| ND –28 | 62 |
| Statistics | Nevada | Notre Dame |
| First downs | 16 | 21 |
| Total yards | 300 | 444 |
| Rushing yards | 99 | 239 |
| Passing yards | 201 | 205 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 26:28 | 33:32 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Tyler Stewart | 10/23, 113 yards, 1 INT |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 17 carries, 50 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | Andrew Celis | 1 reception, 68 yards |
| Notre Dame | Passing | DeShone Kizer | 15/18, 156 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Notre Dame | Rushing | Josh Adams | 10 carries, 106 yards |
| Notre Dame | Receiving | Equanimeous St. Brown | 6 receptions, 85 yards |

### Buffalo

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulls | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 14 |
| • Wolf Pack | 7 | 17 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –12 | 50 |
| Statistics | Buffalo | Nevada |
| First downs | 17 | 32 |
| Total yards | 361 | 521 |
| Rushing yards | 231 | 352 |
| Passing yards | 130 | 169 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 20:31 | 39:29 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Buffalo | Passing | Tyree Jackson | 7/22, 130 yards, 1 TD |
| Buffalo | Rushing | Jordan Johnson | 17 carries, 87 yards, 1 TD |
| Buffalo | Receiving | Jordan Johnson | 1 reception, 57 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Passing | Tyler Stewart | 16/21, 160 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 28 carries, 174 yards, 3 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Jerico Richardson | 3 receptions, 46 yards |

### At Purdue

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
| • Boilermakers | 0 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| PUR –5.5 | 60 |
| Statistics | Nevada | Purdue |
| First downs | 18 | 25 |
| Total yards | 253 | 466 |
| Rushing yards | 68 | 166 |
| Passing yards | 185 | 300 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 6 |
| Time of possession | 28:09 | 31:51 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Tyler Stewart | 22/29, 178 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 14 carries, 38 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | James Butler | 6 receptions, 44 yards, 1 TD |
| Purdue | Passing | David Blough | 21/30, 300 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Purdue | Rushing | Markell Jones | 22 carries, 124 yards, 1 TD |
| Purdue | Receiving | Bilal Marshall | 5 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD |

### At Hawaii

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 0 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 17 |
| • Rainbow Warriors | 3 | 14 | 21 | 0 | 38 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –3.5 | 56 |
| Statistics | Nevada | Hawaii |
| First downs | 23 | 24 |
| Total yards | 397 | 566 |
| Rushing yards | 194 | 344 |
| Passing yards | 203 | 222 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:36 | 28:24 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Tyler Stewart | 19/33, 203 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 21 carries, 168 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | Wyatt Demps | 4 receptions, 53 yards, 1 TD |
| Hawaii | Passing | Dru Brown | 15/18, 222 yards, 2 TDs |
| Hawaii | Rushing | Diocemy Saint Juste | 19 carries, 205 yards |
| Hawaii | Receiving | Marcus Kemp | 6 receptions, 88 yards |

### Fresno State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 6 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 22 |
| • Wolf Pack | 7 | 14 | 0 | 6 | 27 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –8 | 55 |
| Statistics | Fresno State | Nevada |
| First downs | 25 | 23 |
| Total yards | 452 | 389 |
| Rushing yards | 255 | 226 |
| Passing yards | 197 | 163 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 32:08 | 27:52 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Fresno State | Passing | Chason Virgil | 16/27, 197 yards, 1 TD |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Dontel James | 27 carries, 169 yards, 1 TD |
| Fresno State | Receiving | KeeSean Johnson | 5 receptions, 71 yards |
| Nevada | Passing | Tyler Stewart | 13/20, 127 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 37 carries, 175 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | Wyatt Demps | 9 receptions, 124 yards, 3 TDs |

### At San Jose State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 10 |
| • Spartans | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SJSU –3 | 56 |
| Statistics | Nevada | San Jose State |
| First downs | 13 | 20 |
| Total yards | 257 | 279 |
| Rushing yards | 113 | 137 |
| Passing yards | 144 | 142 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 23:32 | 36:28 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Tyler Stewart | 9/20, 144 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 20 carries, 94 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | James Butler | 3 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD |
| San Jose State | Passing | Kenny Potter | 11/17, 142 yards |
| San Jose State | Rushing | Malik Roberson | 35 carries, 139 yards |
| San Jose State | Receiving | Tre Hartley | 5 receptions, 76 yards |

### Wyoming

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Cowboys | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
| Wolf Pack | 0 | 13 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| WYO –7 | 53 |
| Statistics | Wyoming | Nevada |
| First downs | 27 | 32 |
| Total yards | 540 | 479 |
| Rushing yards | 391 | 132 |
| Passing yards | 149 | 347 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:41 | 28:19 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Wyoming | Passing | Josh Allen | 9/13, 145 yards |
| Wyoming | Rushing | Brian Hill | 29 carries, 289 yards, 3 TDs |
| Wyoming | Receiving | Tanner Gentry | 4 receptions, 109 yards |
| Nevada | Passing | Ty Gangi | 27/43, 300 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 14 carries, 73 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Wyatt Demps | 8 receptions, 97 yards |

### At New Mexico

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 0 | 14 | 0 | 12 | 26 |
| • Lobos | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NM –15 | 60 |
| Statistics | Nevada | New Mexico |
| First downs | 19 | 23 |
| Total yards | 409 | 473 |
| Rushing yards | 108 | 373 |
| Passing yards | 301 | 100 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 19:51 | 40:09 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Ty Gangi | 19/34, 301 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 16 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Receiving | Wyatt Demps | 6 receptions, 92 yards, 1 TD |
| New Mexico | Passing | Austin Apodaca | 7/9, 96 yards, 1 TD |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Teriyon Gipson | 20 carries, 121 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | Emmanuel Harris | 1 reception, 44 yards, 1 TD |

### San Diego State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Aztecs | 10 | 16 | 13 | 7 | 46 |
| Wolf Pack | 7 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 16 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| SDSU –21.5 | 51 |
| Statistics | San Diego State | Nevada |
| First downs | 25 | 19 |
| Total yards | 620 | 366 |
| Rushing yards | 474 | 90 |
| Passing yards | 146 | 276 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 28:00 | 32:00 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| San Diego State | Passing | Christian Chapman | 11/16, 146 yards, 2 TDs |
| San Diego State | Rushing | Rashaad Penny | 10 carries, 208 yards, 2 TDs |
| San Diego State | Receiving | Mikah Holder | 4 receptions, 45 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Passing | Ty Gangi | 21/37, 276 yards, 2 TDs, 3 INTs |
| Nevada | Rushing | Jaxson Kincaide | 10 carries, 41 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | Wyatt Demps | 4 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD |

### Utah State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Aggies | 7 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 37 |
| • Wolf Pack | 3 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 38 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| USU –7 | 56 |
| Statistics | Utah State | Nevada |
| First downs | 21 | 22 |
| Total yards | 523 | 341 |
| Rushing yards | 396 | 214 |
| Passing yards | 127 | 127 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 27:22 | 32:38 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Utah State | Passing | Kent Myers | 10/18, 127 yards, 1 INT |
| Utah State | Rushing | Tonny Lindsey Jr. | 21 carries, 168 yards, 1 TD |
| Utah State | Receiving | Ron'Quavion Tarver | 3 receptions, 51 yards |
| Nevada | Passing | Ty Gangi | 13/26, 127 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 26 carries, 119 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Receiving | James Butler | 4 receptions, 52 yards |

### At UNLV

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Wolf Pack | 10 | 17 | 3 | 15 | 45 |
| Rebels | 0 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| UNLV –10 | 59 |
| Statistics | Nevada | UNLV |
| First downs | 27 | 14 |
| Total yards | 511 | 303 |
| Rushing yards | 318 | 182 |
| Passing yards | 193 | 121 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 37:42 | 22:18 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Ty Gangi | 15/22, 193 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Rushing | James Butler | 32 carries, 196 yards, 3 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Wyatt Demps | 2 receptions, 57 yards |
| UNLV | Passing | Kurt Palandech | 9/22, 121 yards, 1 INT |
| UNLV | Rushing | Kurt Palandech | 14 carries, 98 yards, 1 TD |
| UNLV | Receiving | Trevor Kanteman | 2 receptions, 39 yards |