With the annual “Silver and Blue” spring game just a few days away, and Nevada football about to put the finishing touches on another spring, it is time for our latest edition of “Spring Chatter”.

Offensively, the Pack welcome back just about every key piece from their record setting 2009 offense, which broke a handful of NCAA records. From quarterback Colin Kaepernick to his classmate and backfield parter Vai Taua to nearly every prominent receiving threat, the Pistol offense is loaded to say the least.

Pistol Position Battles

This spring, the Wolf Pack offense has mostly been looking to get their young prospects some experience, and let a few key positional battles take center stage.  On the offensive line, two starting positions were at stake heading into spring ball, including the center and the quick-side tackle spots.

Who has emerged?

After watching a handful of practices, it appears that Jose Acuna has clearly gone from a rough-around-the-edges newbie last spring to a starting role in 2010.  The enormous 6-foot-6, 305-pound big man from Hemet (Calif.) who was a major part of last year’s recruiting class has developed rapidly, and likely enters fall practice as the man to beat for the starting gig.

Meads has stood out playing guard and center this spring

6-foot-3, 290-pound junior center Jeff Meads has also established himself as a likely starter entering the 2010 season.  He began this spring at center, but when talented sophomore Christian Barker was injured for the rest of spring (he’ll be back in plenty of time for fall practice), Meads showed off his versatility by moving to quick guard.

Other O-Line prospects that have made a strong push this spring include Joel Bitonio, who as a redshirt-freshman could be the back-up to starting strongside tackle Steve Haley, plus sophomore the gigantic Jeff Nady, who has battled Acuna all spring at the quick tackle spot.

Buh’s Defense

The first thing we noticed at every practice this spring is the same thing the players and coaches are all chattering about too; the defense.  The boys in Silver and Blue are playing hard. It is undeniably the largest difference between last spring and this spring, as we see an entire defensive unit that is committed to playing the game as physical and as tough as they possibly can.

Rosette has emerged as a top inside option

“The guys are all putting in great effort,” first-year Nevada defensive coordinator Andy Buh, one of the Pack’s key coaching additions, said. “They are buying into our philosophy.

“The big thing for us is to control what is controllable. We focus on the team, and get all 11 guys playing the pass and all 11 guys playing the run, we will be a solid unit.”

Up front, Nevada has looked sharp with junior D-Tackles Brett Roy and Zack Madonick playing on the first-team.  Roy, who moved inside this year, has taken to the position extremely well while Madonick, a sophomore starter a year ago, has looked rock solid.

Two D-Ends that have surprised so far have been redshirt freshman Jack Reynoso and junior Mike Andrews.  Both have had some outstanding practices this past week.  The first team D-Ends include seniors Ryan Coulson and Dontay Moch, with the latter being the reigning WAC Defensive Player of the Year.

At linebacker, the Pack are loaded with upperclassmen.  In the middle, James-Michael Johnson has made a seamless transition from his former outside position while his classmate Albert Rosette continues to impress.  Rosette, a 6-foot-2, 225-pound Northern California native who prepped at California high school powerhouse De La Salle, came on extremely strong towards the end of last year before the bowl game. He is always in great position and just has a knack for making plays.

At the “Will” position, JUCO transfer DeAndre Boughton has had a huge spring.  The Fresno (Calif.) native who chose Nevada over Indiana has shown outstanding speed off the edge.  Senior Kevin Grimes, who converted from defensive back a year ago, and junior Joe Easter, are also in the mix at that position.

At the “Sam” position, Brandon Marshall is a two-year starter who will only be a junior in 2010. However, he’s been sidelined with a toe injury (and like Barker, Marshall will be back in plenty of time for fall practice) so the competition has been intense between senior Adam Liranzo and junior Kaelin Burnett.

“Every guy in our linebacker core has impressed me,” Buh added. “They are scrapping and playing together, learning the schematics of what we want to do and pulling for each other.”

The same can be said for the Nevada secondary, which continues to show strong improvement this spring under the guidance of cornerbacks coach James Ward and safeties coach Mark Bradeson.  From the speed of Corbin Louks to the hits of Duke Williams, Nevada has as talented a pair of safeties as they have ever had roaming their defensive backfield.

Fanfest

This year’s annual Silver and Blue game has been spruced up with a “Fanfest”, which features a number of really fun events for the whole family. Not only do Pack fans get a look at the 2010 football team, which will be split into two squads and play 4 quarters starting around 10:00 a.m., but they’ll be treated to a handful of events.

Fanfest, which is scheduled to run from 9:30 a.m. until 2 p.m., is free.

Fans can collect autographs, participate in an Easter Egg Hunt and a rib-eating contest, plus view the Fremont Cannon and check out all the available Nevada gear at Silver and Blue Outfitters during the day.