RENO — Nevada quarterback Carson Strong and running back Toa Taua found their names on a pair of 2021 preseason watch lists, with Strong being tabbed a candidate for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, and Taua a candidate for the Polynesian College Football Player of the Year Award.
Strong has previously, this summer, been named a candidate for the Maxwell Award, Davey O’Brien Award, CFPA National Performer of the Year Trophy, and Manning Award, while the announcement is Taua’s second recognition, following his addition to the Reese’s Senior Bowl Watch List last week.
Strong, a consensus pick to the Preseason All-Mountain West First Teams of Athlon Sports, Phil Steele, and Pro Football Focus (PFF), was the Mountain West’s top offensive player and the quarterback of the All-Mountain West First Team in 2020.
He paced the conference in passing yards (2,858), passing touchdowns (27), completion percentage (70.1), and ranked in the FBS top 10 in completions per game (27.7, second), passing yards per game (317.6, seventh), completion percentage (seventh), and touchdown passes (ninth), while coming in 11th in passing yards.
He also finished the year with an interception rate of just 1.13, throwing just four picks over 355 attempts.
Taua, a selection to the 2020 All-Mountain West Second Team, led the Pack with 675 rushing yards on 114 carries, with four touchdowns, while catching 31 balls for 214 yards and another score.
In addition, Taua has collected preseason All-Mountain West accolades from Phil Steele (First Team) and Pro Football Focus (PFF) (Second Team).
Nevada opens the 2021 season Saturday, Sept. 4 at California, with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. on FS1. The Pack’s home opener takes place the following weekend, as it hosts Idaho State Saturday, Sept. 11, at 7:30 p.m.
