Game 3
Nevada (0-2) vs. Kansas (2-0)
Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 - 7:30 p.m.
Reno, Nev. - Mackay Stadium

TV: CBS Sports Network (PxP: Rich Waltz, Analyst: Aaron Taylor, Sideline Analyst: Amanda Guerra)
Radio: KOZZ 105.7 FM (PxP: John Ramey, Analyst: Mike Edwards)
Online Radio: The Varsity Network App / www.thevarsitynetwork.com

All-Time Series: First Meeting
Last Meeting: N/A

Game Sponsor: Great Clips
Theme: Extra Yards for Teachers; VAMOS Pack
Color Scheme: Silver Out
We Are Nevada Fan Zone band: Jake's Garage

RENO, Nev. - Nevada (0-2) hosts its first game of 2023 under the Mackay Stadium lights Saturday, as Kansas (2-0) comes to town for a 7:30 p.m. kick. The contest will air in CBS Sports Network with Rich Waltz (play-by-play) and Aaron Taylor (analyst) on the call, and Amanda Guerra reporting from the sidelines.

The Wolf Pack Radio Network will call the game on KOZZ 105.7 FM in Northern Nevada, and online at www.thevarsitynetwork.com and on the Varsity Network app, available for download in both the Apple and Google Play app stores. John Ramey (play-by-play) and Mike Edwards (analyst) will be in the booth, with the 60-minute pregame show to begin at 6:30 p.m.

SERIES HISTORY
Saturday's meeting between Nevada and Kansas will be the first between the schools. Last year, the teams announced a home-and-home series, with the Jayhawks coming to Reno for Saturday's contest, and the Wolf Pack returning the favor with a trip to Lawrence in 2029.

ABOUT KANSAS
Kansas (2-0) has opened the season with a pair of wins under third-year head coach Lance Leipold. The Jayhawks reached the postseason last season for the first time since 2008, and this year are led by quarterbacks Jalon Daniels and Jason Bean, while Devin Neal leads the ground attack with 214 rushing yards and two touchdowns.


THINGS GOT A LITTLE WILD LAST TIME...
Kansas will be the first team from one of the "Autonomous Five" conferences to visit Mackay Stadium since the memorable 34-31 Nevada victory over Purdue in the 2019 opener (Aug. 31, 2019).

There's even a connection to that 2019 game with Kansas' visit--current Jayhawk safety Marvin Grant saw action for Purdue in that contest. That night, Nevada, trailing 31-14 with 6:19 left in the third quarter, scored the final 20 points, capped by then-freshman Brandon Talton's career-long 56-yard field goal on the game's final play.

FACING THE BIG XII
Saturday's game against Kansas will mark the Wolf Pack's second game against a Big XII foe in three seasons--Nevada dropped a 38-17 decision at Kansas State in 2021.

The Jayhawks are the first Big XII team to come to Reno (as a member of the Big XII at the time of visit) since Missouri back on Sept. 25, 2009. In that visit, the Tigers defeated the Wolf Pack, 31-21.

Nevada is 0-7 all-time against the Big XII since moving up to Division I (now FBS) in 1992.

BELL ON PACE FOR CAREER YEAR
Wide receiver/kick returner Jamaal Bell is well on his way to a career year receiving through just two games in 2023. Bell has caught eight balls in each of the first two contests, with his 16 receptions going for 188 yards and a score.

The 2022 season was Bell's best in both categories, as he hauled in 28 passes for 279 yards. His 2023 campaign got off to a big start Sept. 2 at No. 6/6 USC, when he posted career highs of eight catches and 121 yards with a 77-yard touchdown reception.

RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME (AGAIN)
Linebacker Drue Watts once again found himself in the right place at the right time Saturday against Idaho, recovering his second fumble of the season. Watts has now fallen on a loose football in each of the Pack's first two contests, after picking off a pass in last year's finale at UNLV.

JACKSON III GETTING A CHANCE
Wide receiver John Jackson III transferred to Nevada for his final season after playing four seasons, mostly on special teams, at USC. Through two games this season, Jackson III has caught five passes for 72 yards, the reception total equaling his USC output. The Redondo Beach, Calif., native has quickly made himself a target for Wolf Pack quarterbacks, ranking tied for second in receptions on the team.