As Week 2 of the 2025 College Football season kicks off, the Sacramento State Hornets will play against the Nevada Wolf Pack. The game will take place at Mackay Stadium in Reno, NV, an outdoor venue that promises an engaging atmosphere for both teams. Scheduled for Saturday, September 6, 2025, at 5:00 PM, this game will be broadcasted on MWN.
Sacramento State comes into this game with a challenging start to their season, holding a 0-2 record from last year’s regular season. They have shown potential in the air, racking up impressive passing yards, but turnovers have been costly. With no home games yet, they continue their road journey with hopes of turning their fortunes around.
The Nevada Wolf Pack, representing the Mountain West Conference, are looking to recover from their opening loss against Penn State. They are yet to play a home game this season, which adds to their motivation to perform well in front of a home crowd. Despite their setback, the Wolf Pack are favored by the odds, given their -230 moneyline against Sacramento State’s +188.
Nevada vs Sacramento State At a Glance
- Venue: Mackay Stadium in Reno, NV
- Game Date: Saturday, September 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
- TV Channel: MWN
- Nevada Odds: Moneyline -230, Spread -6.5 (-115)
- Sacramento State Record Last Season: 0-2
- Weather: Outdoor Field
Nevada Wolf Pack: Analyzing the Challenges Ahead
Team Performance Overview
The Nevada Wolf Pack started their 2025 season with a tough game against the Penn State Nittany Lions, suffering a 46-11 loss. The team managed only 125 passing yards and 78 rushing yards, ranking them 111th and 109th, respectively, in these categories for the season. Their defensive performance was equally challenging, allowing 46 points and failing to recover any turnovers.
Despite the loss, Nevada’s offense showed some promise with 13 first downs, placing them 28th in this category. However, their inability to capitalize on these opportunities led to a disappointing overall performance. The team will need to address these shortcomings as they prepare for their next games.
Key Players to Watch
Quarterback Chubba Purdy will be looking to improve upon his season debut, where he recorded 97 passing yards and one interception. Supporting him in the backfield, running backs Ky Woods and Caleb Ramseur each contributed 10 rushing yards. Wide receiver Marcus Bellon was a standout performer with 76 receiving yards and one touchdown, making him a key target in the passing game.
On the defensive side, the Wolf Pack will aim to increase their sack and interception totals, having recorded only one sack and zero interceptions in their opening game. Improvement in these areas will be crucial to slowing down opposing offenses and creating more scoring opportunities for their own team.
Upcoming Challenges
Next up for Nevada is a home game against the Sacramento State Hornets. This matchup provides an opportunity for the Wolf Pack to rebound from their season-opening loss. Following that, they will face the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, another game that could serve as a turning point for the team.
The Wolf Pack will then hit the road to take on the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers and Fresno State Bulldogs, both of which will test their ability to perform under pressure away from home. Success in these games could significantly impact their season trajectory.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS Last 3: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U Last 3: 1-0 (100.0%)
- SU in Away Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- ATS in Away Games: 0-1 (0.0%)
- O/U in Away Games: 1-0 (100.0%)
The Wolf Pack’s betting trends highlight their struggles both straight up and against the spread, with a current record of 0-1 in both categories. However, their over/under record stands at 1-0, suggesting their games have the potential for high scores. The upcoming games will be pivotal in determining whether Nevada can reverse these trends and achieve greater success.
Sacramento State Hornets: A Comprehensive Game Preview
Overview of Sacramento State’s Offense
The Sacramento State Hornets have had a challenging start to their 2024 season, ranking 108th in points scored with only 54 points so far. Their passing game has struggled, achieving just 536 yards and placing them 128th in the rankings. Additionally, their rushing game isn’t faring much better with 292 yards, ranking them 137th.
In terms of converting drives into first downs, the Hornets have secured 43, which places them 96th in the nation. This statistic reflects their difficulties in maintaining sustained drives and putting points on the board. Improving these areas will be critical for Sacramento State as they seek their first victory of the season.
Defensive Performance
Defensively, the Hornets have allowed 88 points against them, ranking 36th, indicating some resilience in containing opponents. They have managed to record 3 sacks, positioning them 43rd, which suggests room for improvement in their pass rush. However, their defensive backfield has been effective with 3 interceptions, earning them a commendable 4th ranking.
The Hornets have also recovered 3 fumbles, ranking them 13th in this category. Their ability to create turnovers provides a potential advantage if they can capitalize on these opportunities. Overall, while their defense has shown flashes of promise, consistent pressure on opposing offenses is necessary.
Recent Game Performances
The Hornets began their season with a 42-24 defeat against the San Jose State Spartans. In this game, they managed to achieve 23 first downs compared to San Jose State’s 25, but their defense allowed 324 passing yards. Despite their 177 rushing yards surpassing San Jose State’s 80, it wasn’t enough to secure the win.
In their following game against the Fresno State Bulldogs, Sacramento State suffered a 46-30 loss. They were narrowly outgained in passing yards, with 357 compared to Fresno State’s 358. The Hornets’ defense also struggled against the run, allowing 155 rushing yards.
Key Players to Watch
Carson Conklin has led the Hornets’ passing attack, accumulating 264 passing yards over two games. His 4 passing touchdowns rank him 1st on the team, though he has yet to throw an interception, highlighting his precision. Meanwhile, Kaiden Bennett has contributed with 272 passing yards and 3 interceptions, demonstrating the need for improved decision-making.
On the ground, Elijah Tau-Tolliver has been the standout performer with 184 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. His versatility is showcased by his 5 receptions for 31 receiving yards. Wide receiver Jared Gipson has caught 9 passes for 178 yards, making him a key target in the Hornets’ aerial attack.
Betting Trends
- Sacramento State has lost both games in the 2024 season.
- The Hornets are 0-2 against the spread this season.
- In their last game, Sacramento State covered the over with a combined score of 76 points against Fresno State.
- Sacramento State’s games have gone over the total points line in both outings this season.
Nevada vs Sacramento State Prediction: Nevada -6.5
Nevada is coming off a disappointing start to the season, but facing Sacramento State provides an opportunity for redemption. The Wolf Pack’s defense, which ranked 32nd in points against, should have the upper hand against a Sacramento State offense that struggled last season. Playing at Mackay Stadium gives Nevada a home-field advantage that could be pivotal in covering the spread.
Sacramento State has struggled on the road with a 0-2 record last season, and their offense ranked near the bottom in several key categories. Nevada’s ability to generate pressure, evident from their impressive 7th rank in sacks, will likely disrupt the Hornets’ offensive rhythm. This makes Nevada -6.5 an appealing option considering the Hornets’ past performance and current form.
The odds favor Nevada with a spread of -6.5, and their ability to restrict points against is a critical factor. With Sacramento State’s defense ranking 36th in points against, Nevada’s offense should find opportunities to capitalize on weaknesses in the Hornets’ setup. Expect Nevada to execute a game plan that maximizes these mismatches.
Given these considerations, a projected final score of Nevada 27 – Sacramento State 17 seems reasonable. This prediction reflects Nevada’s anticipated ability to control both sides of the ball and cover the spread effectively.
- Nevada vs Sacramento State Prediction: Nevada -6.5
- Nevada vs Sacramento State Score: Nevada 27 – Sacramento State 17
