College football 2005: Ault gives Wolf Pack QB a new spot on field

Tim Mullin

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005 | 10:19 a.m.

RENO -- The Wolf Pack of UNR still has a lot of work ahead if the team wants to make an impact on the Western Athletic Conference this year.

The first step, however, will be to get comfortable in head coach Chris Ault's new system. Not only has Ault changed to defense from a 4-3 to a 3-4, but also instituted a pistol offense.

"The extra challenge is taking these two new schemes and making sure that we can execute what we feel is important for the first three games of the season," Ault said. "That is a critical point."

What makes the pistol offense unique is that the quarterback isn't completely behind center, but also isn't as far back as he would be in a shotgun formation. With the quarterback only a few steps off-center it gives him the option to move around more in the pocket and get the ball off quicker.

"It's fun being a little bit further back from the ball," said senior Jeff Rowe, the Wolf Pack's starting quarterback.

"It opens up, as a quarterback, our option to run. You can get the ball off quicker."

Rowe, who returns for his second year as the Wolf Pack's starting quarterback said after training camp ended last Friday he feels more comfortable in the new offense.

"All our quarterbacks do," said offensive coordinator Chris Klenakis. "They can see things a little better and they have a little more time to make their decisions and get the ball out."

Unlike the shotgun, which also allows the quarterback to be more mobile, the pistol still has the running back set behind the quarterback to keep the option of the run still open.

"Instead of in a shotgun, when you're back is offset, your options are limited as opposed to having the back behind the quarterback, where you get more run game," Klenakis said.

This season the starting running back duties will fall to senior B.J. Mitchell, who will get a chance to come out of the shadows of former UNR back Chance Kretschmer, who graduated last year.

"I think (Mitchell) had an excellent camp," said Ault. "He is running the way I expected him to run."

As for the receiving corps, Ault said he hasn't been disappointed. Junior Caleb Spencer is the team's best receiver right now and is pretty much a lock at the Z spot, Ault said.

Also, senior Nichiren Flowers, who had a breakout season last year with 91 catches for 1126 yards, is the favorite to take the F spot, but the real question is who will be the X receiver. Freshman Mick McCoy and junior college transfer Kyle Sammons are battling for playing time, but the dark horse could be true freshman Jack Darlington, who was impressed coaches during fall camp.

"(McCoy) has impressed us last year and we feel he is got a great upside," Ault said. "He and Kyle Sammons both at that X spot are fighting for playing time and both of them have to be involved in our scheme."

On the defensive side of the ball, injuries have hurt the team.

Ault announced yesterday that three-year starting defensive end J.J. Milan will miss the entire season after a foot injury. Also lost for the senior is junior cornerback Paul Pratt, who tore an ACL in his right knee.

Ault was also hoping to put Milan at outside linebacker, an area where the Pack lacked last season. With the loss of Milan and the lack of depth, the Wolf Pack also lose Milan's ability to come back down as a fourth linemen in nickel and dime packages.

However, during the inter-squad scrimmage Friday night, The Wolf Pack did show signs of getting use to their new 3-4 defense by executing well-timed blitzes and getting pressure on the quarterbacks.

"It's a great defense. It's fast paced and there's a lot of blitzing," said freshman Safety Luke Lippincott. "The quarterback isn't going to know where the blitz is going to come from."

Ault characterized the defense as an "Aggressive, attack-style blitzing package."

The role now is to figure out who is going to play where, Ault said.

With a defense more focused on linebackers, Ault has his work cut out for him to fill the wholes.

"The area that was just pathetic (last year) was our linebacking corps," Ault said. "We just didn't have any players. (Sophomore) Jeremy (Engstrom) got indoctrinated by fire and in one aspect he was good, and in another it was bad because he picked up a lot of bad habits."

This year Engstrom is up to 235 pounds and Ault believes will help solidy the inside. Outside, with the loss of Milan, Ault is forced to turn to truwe freshman Josh Mauga.

"Mauga is definitely in our two deep without question," Ault said.

Maugua is just one of six freshmen Ault is looking at putting in his two deep depth chart. Besides, Darlington and Mauaga, Ault is looking at offensive lineman Alonza Durham, running back Tim, safety Michael Samples and nose guard Nate Agaiava,

"They all have the opportunity to play," Ault said. "These guys are quality freshmen and should all be in the mix." Both sides of the ball have their questions Marks, but Ault believes now that training camp is over his players are comfortable in the new offensive and defensive schemes.

"Now, they just have to settle in and focus on you know their jobs and their assignments," Ault said.