It’s time to turn the page.

As frustrating and disappointing as Oregon’s season-opening loss to Auburn was, every goal the Ducks had set for themselves before the season started still remains within reach, albeit with a much slimmer margin for error.

On deck for the Ducks this Saturday are the high-flying Nevada Wolf Pack, a program with as much positive momentum as any in college football following their thrilling 34-31 upset victory over Purdue last Friday. The win was made possible, in part, thanks to a 56-yard game-winning field goal from walk-on true freshman Brandon Talton, who no longer has to pay to play after he was awarded a scholarship by Nevada head coach Jay Norvell in the team locker room following the dramatic win.

It’s a good night for @btalton111.#BattleBorn // #NevadaGrit pic.twitter.com/0IezKayVJs

— Nevada Football (@NevadaFootball) August 31, 2019

Saturday’s game also figures to be a family affair, as Nevada senior linebacker Gabriel Sewell, the older brother of Ducks offensive lineman Penei Sewell, visits Autzen Stadium hoping to spring another upset in the Ducks’ 2019 home opener.

With Oregon eager to get back into the win column, WFOD takes a deeper look at what the Ducks can expect from the Wolf Pack this weekend.

Nevada Wolf Pack

2019 record: 1-0 overall
Last game: 34-31 win vs. Purdue
Ranking: N/A
All-time record vs. Oregon: 1-6
When and where to watch: Saturday, Sept. 7 at 4:45 p.m. (Pacific), Pac-12 Network

Items of note:

• The last meeting between the Ducks and Wolf Pack came in 2011, which was also a home opener for Oregon and the second game of the season, which also followed a contest at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas (Ducks played LSU that season).
• The Ducks have outscored their opponents in the last 14 home openers by an 800-285 margin. Oregon has also scored more than 70 points twice, 60-plus points six times, and 50 or more points nine times.
• A win would mark Oregon’s seventh straight over Nevada and run the Ducks’ all-time record to 55-19-1 against teams currently in the Mountain West.
• Nevada’s 17-point comeback last week vs. Purdue tied the second-largest comeback in Wolf Pack history since 1996. Nevada’s other 17-point comeback was during the “Miracle at Mackay,” when it came back to defeat No. 3 Boise State in overtime by a final score (ironically) of 34-31.
• Nevada currently leads the Mountain West with a +5 turnover differential, after recording two interceptions and recovering three fumbles against Purdue while never giving the ball away.

Five Nevada names you should know:

5. Jake Nelson (OL)

In Reno, the nickname for the Wolf Pack offensive line is the “Union.” And in this case, the Union’s unofficial president is none other than senior Jake Nelson. After earning All-Mountain West Honorable Mention honors a season ago, the 6-foot-4, 300-pound Nelson comes into the 2019 season as a preseason all-conference first team selection after the Wolf Pack ranked 14th nationally in sacks allowed (1.17) in 2018. Set to make his 27th consecutive start on Saturday, Nelson is the unquestioned anchor for Nevada in the offensive trenches.

4. Daniel Brown (CB)

After enjoying a breakout junior campaign which earned him All-Mountain West Honorable Mention recognition in 2018, Nevada cornerback Daniel Brown has gotten off to a feverish start one game into his final season in Reno. Last week vs. Purdue, Brown proved to be a scourge for the Boilermakers’ offense, as the Carson, Calif. native intercepted two passes and had one tackle for loss in the Nevada win. He’ll face his biggest test to date, however, facing off against Justin Herbert and the Oregon offense inside Autzen Stadium.

3. Gabriel Sewell (LB)

In addition to serving as the spiritual leader of the Wolf Pack defense, senior linebacker Gabriel Sewell is bona fide a stat sheet stuffer who returns as Nevada’s most productive defensive player in 2019. Though he had a somewhat modest showing against Purdue last week (five tackles), Sewell ranked as the team’s leading tackler last season, notching 92 tackles, including 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.0 sacks. He’ll be a focal point for not only the Ducks on Saturday, but for the cameras as well, as it’s more than likely that both he and his younger brother Penei will have more than a few run-ins during the course of the game.

2. Carson Strong (QB)

Despite being the first freshman quarterback to start for the Wolf Pack since 1998, Nevada’s Carson Strong played the role of a seasoned vet in his debut vs. Purdue, lighting the Boilermakers up for 295 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Standing 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Strong has prototypical size for the quarterback position, but is also athletic enough to make opposing defense’s pay with his feet. His poise in helping engineer Nevada’s comeback victory speaks to his long-term potential, though he’ll face a monumental task going up against Oregon’s vastly improved defense. However, if anything should give Strong confidence, it’s the fact that Auburn’s Bo Nix – another young quarterback – was able to find success against the Ducks last weekend.

1. Toa Taua (RB)

The reigning Mountain West Freshman of the Year enters the 2019 season looking to take the competition by storm. After rushing for 872 yards and six touchdowns last year, Taua is a player the Wolf Pack coaching staff expects to take an even bigger leap this season as he becomes a true focal point of what figures to be a high-powered Nevada offense. If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because he’s the younger brother of Wolf Pack running backs coach Vai Taua, who himself exited Reno as one of the most prolific rushers in program history. Against Auburn last Saturday, the Ducks did a commendable job of limiting the Tigers’ rushing attack before fatigue set in late in the second half. And though Nevada doesn’t have anywhere near the talent that Auburn possesses, Taua is a player who will command the Oregon defense’s full attention on Saturday.