RENO – The Nevada football team has accepted an invitation to play in the 2021 Quick Lane Bowl where they will meet Western Michigan out of the Mid-American Conference.
Kickoff is 8 a.m. on Dec. 27 at the home of the Detroit Lions, Ford Field, in Detroit, Mich. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN.
The Pack makes its 19th appearance in a bowl game in program history (7-11).
The Pack finished 5th in the Mountain West Conference after closing the regular season with a 52-10 win at Colorado State on Nov. 27. Nevada earned 16 All-Mountain West honors including Offensive Player of the Year, Carson Strong, for the second consecutive year.
Strong set a new program single-season touchdown passing record with 36 and led the Pack to an 8-4 overall record including a 5-3 record in the Mountain West Conference.
The eight regular-season wins were the most in a regular-season since the Wolf Pack went 12-1 during the 2010 season, a year that was capped with a 20-13 win over Boston College in the Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco.
Nevada has won three of its last four bowl games with victories over Tulane on Dec. 22, 2020 (W, 38-27), Ohio on Jan. 3, 2020 (L, 20-31), Arkansas State in 2018 (W, 16-13, OT), and Colorado State in 2015 (W, 28-23).
Norvell leaves for Colorado State
Jay Norvell announced he was leaving Nevada for the head coaching position at Colorado State.
"We are grateful for the foundation built by Head Coach Jay Norvell during his five seasons here at Nevada and wish him and his entire family the best in his new endeavor. He has made a significant impact on our football program and in the lives of our student-athletes," said Nevada athletic director Doug Knuth. "I am pleased to announce that assistant coach Vai Taua will take over as our interim head coach for the bowl game. We are confident in Coach Taua’s ability to lead our team during this transition time.
Nevada football has a proud history and tradition. As we continue to invest in our program with enhanced facilities and operational support, we’re excited about the opportunities ahead to elevate our program. We will begin a national search immediately to find a new leader for Nevada Football.
