RENO, Nev. – Nevada’s 56-28 loss to Arkansas State on Saturday night wasn’t just rough on the field—it also saw visible frustration on the Wolf Pack sideline, particularly between head coach Grayson Hulett and defensive coordinator Mike Hunt.
As Arkansas State’s offense continued to exploit Nevada’s defense, tensions mounted on the Wolf Pack sideline. Early in the third quarter—after Arkansas State’s fourth touchdown in less than 15 minutes—Hulett and Hunt were seen engaged in an intense exchange. Witnesses say Hulett was visibly upset with the defensive adjustments, or lack thereof, while Hunt appeared equally frustrated, gesturing toward his players as if to deflect blame.
“It was getting heated,” said one Nevada player who wished to remain anonymous. “Coach Hulett was demanding answers, and Coach Hunt wasn’t backing down. It felt like the frustration just boiled over.”
At one point, defensive captain Kitan Crawford stepped between the two coaches, attempting to defuse the situation. Several players on the bench looked on as the heated discussion continued before Hunt stormed down the sideline, visibly frustrated.
Despite the drama on the sidelines, Nevada had some strong individual performances. Quarterback Brandon Lewis went 22-for-34 for 254 yards, throwing two touchdowns but also two costly interceptions. Running back Patrick Garwo III was a bright spot, rushing for over 150 yards and a touchdown, keeping the Wolf Pack competitive early.
Defensively, safety Kitan Crawford led the team with 12 tackles, including one for loss, and recorded an interception. However, Arkansas State’s relentless offensive attack proved too much for Nevada’s struggling defense, which allowed several explosive plays and failed to make key stops.
After the game, Hulett downplayed the incident but acknowledged the team’s defensive struggles.
“We’re passionate about what we do, and when things aren’t going the way we expect, emotions can run high,” Hulett said. “Mike [Hunt] is a great coach, and we’re all on the same page about needing to get better. It’s about accountability, not finger-pointing.”
Hunt did not address the media after the game, but sources indicate there may be growing frustrations within the coaching staff regarding the defensive scheme. With Nevada now sitting at 1-1, all eyes will be on how the Wolf Pack responds in the coming week—and whether this sideline tension is just a one-time flare-up or a sign of deeper issues within the program.
Nevada returns home next week looking to bounce back, but they may have more than just on-field adjustments to sort out before kickoff.
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