Sept. 24, 2014 Br Brady Johnson
Assistant Director, Athletic Communications
RENO, Nev. - In the uber-structured world of collegiate athletics, the Nevada football team has been forced to break routine and adjust on the fly due to the King Fire in nearby El Dorado County, California.
The Wolf Pack ended one practice early during its bye week, moved Monday's practice to the Lawlor Events Center and Tuesday's practice to the Lombardi Recreation Center due to concern over the poor air quality in the area. The team is prepared to practice inside Lombardi again today.
With Saturday's Mountain West opener against San José State (1-2, 0-0) looming, head coach Brian Polian stated that this week will provide an opportunity to test the maturity of his team.
"The challenge for us is to not allow this to be an excuse, to limit distractions and control what we can control," said Polian. "What we can control is doing the best job we can do given the circumstances, and if we have to go about it a little differently, then that's what we have to do."
Before explaining how his team's week has been altered due to the conditions, Polian was quick to express sympathy for those affected by the fire. According to a tweet Wednesday morning by Cal Fire, the blaze has reached 92,960 acres and is 38 percent contained.
"I certainly don't want to downplay what's going on in California," said Polian. "I would imagine our inability to practice at a certain time or place is really trivial to the people dealing with this very serious issue."
Practicing on a basketball court is far from ideal, primarily due to limited space and the inability to run anything full speed. Both Nevada's offense and defense took light reps against the scout team on Tuesday before individual drills. In addition to affecting the player and coaches, the entire support staff - equipment, trainers and video - are forced to scramble to prepare a new site for practice.
Senior quarterback Cody Fajardo, a California native accustomed to the threat of fires, said the indoor practices could be beneficial during Tuesday's press conference.
"Football is a mental game - it's not all physical," said Fajardo, who ranks 11th in the nation in completion percentage (.703). "Honestly, some of us could use some noncontact, mental work. When we go (indoors), it's focused, quiet and intense."
With Polian suggesting this week will test the Wolf Pack's maturity, senior offensive tackle Kyle Roberts appeared confident the team would past that test.
"I don't think it really does (affect us)," said Roberts, a 6-6, 305 pound native of Sparks. "The team has a lot of senior leadership. I think we will be able to stay focused and get in all the work that we need to."
Saturday's match up between the Wolf Pack and Spartans will get underway at 7:34 p.m. (PT) from Spartan Stadium in San Jose, Calif. The game will be televised by CBS Sports Network with Ben Holden and Adam Archuleta on the call.
Nevada will be looking for a sixth straight victory over San José State and for its first road victory in the Polian era.
