Opening their league season with a 65-3 demolition of Fresno State, Nevada-Reno is back as a legit DI college program.

Former USA 7s team captain Nelo Lui has the squad playing some snappy rugby, 

“I enjoy coaching these kids,” Lui told Goff Rugby Report last week. “They are committed and disciplined and respectful. They are the next generation of players and I am proud to be able to share my experience and knowledge with them and bring more attention to the sport of rugby in Northern Nevada.”

It’s been a rough go for the Wolfpack. After Todd Clever left over ten years ago they struggled to keep up with the ever-strengthening teams in Northern California. The split of DI into DIA and DIAA seemed like a good time to rebuild, and now in the Pacific Western Conference, they might be a team to watch. They certainly started well.

“It's a good start for the first game of the season,” said Lui. “Fresno State’s players are physically bigger than us, but we used the basics; we used speed to our advantage, making it a fast-paced game.”

And they worked the ball. Lui, of course, was the consummate 7s playmaker and he understands the value of moving the ball. Nevada’s constant offloaded and use of the open side ran Fresno into the ground. The Wolfpack was quicker to the breakdown and played solid defense when they didn’t have the ball. It wash an impressive performance.

“We still have a long way to go, but we are keeping the momentum and our fitness level high,” said Lui. “We are going to stick with our game plan and prepare for bigger challenges down the road.”

One of those challenges will be this weekend as they face San Jose State, a team that shocked Sacramento State 31-26 last weekend. 

Also this coming weekend in the Pacific Western, Fresno State visits Chico State, who went down to a close defeat against UC Davis last week. Davis gets to wait until Sunday to play (they have a non-conference game against Cal Poly), while San Francisco State opens their season by hosting 1-0 Stanford (50-24 over Santa Cruz).

The Banana Slugs host Sac State in Santa Cruz.