The Nevada Wolf Pack walked away with a decisive 21-0 victory over the Florida International Panthers on Saturday, securing a statement win on the road. But behind the team’s dominant performance, a simmering tension between head coach Grayson Hulett and offensive coordinator Jack Mehoff has raised eyebrows, casting a shadow over the otherwise flawless outing.
While the Wolf Pack’s offense was efficient and methodical, led by quarterback Brandon Lewis, who finished with 173 yards and two touchdowns on 21-of-24 passing, sources inside the program suggest that the day’s success came despite, not because of, internal disagreements.
The team’s rushing attack was equally impressive, with Patrick Garwo III surpassing the 100-yard mark for the second consecutive week, leading a robust ground game. The offensive line, meanwhile, continued its dominance, pancaking FIU defenders 31 times—a stat that had the crowd buzzing, but left some players and coaches frustrated behind the scenes.
A Closer Look at the Tensions
It’s no secret that head coach Grayson Hulett and offensive coordinator Jack Mehoff have been at odds in the past. Though their relationship has largely stayed under wraps, Saturday’s game at Florida International seemed to be the tipping point. According to multiple sources, a disagreement over offensive strategy during the week leading up to the game nearly boiled over into a full-blown confrontation.
Hulett, a coach known for his defensive acumen, has been pushing for a more balanced attack, while Mehoff—who prefers a high-powered, pass-heavy approach—has resisted change, even as the run game has proven to be a key strength for the team. There were whispers that Hulett, frustrated by what he viewed as an over-reliance on the passing game in the past, had ordered Mehoff to focus more on establishing the run. This seemed to be the case, with Garwo III getting 102 yards on the ground.
The Elephant in the Room
Despite the solid performance, sources report that tensions continued to rise during the game. In the second quarter, with the Wolf Pack leading by 14, Hulett reportedly stormed over to the offensive bench, visibly upset with a series of pass plays that didn’t make use of the team’s momentum on the ground. According to insiders, Hulett yelled at Mehoff in front of the entire offensive staff, demanding a shift in play calling.
“I don’t want to hear any more about our passing stats!” Hulett allegedly shouted. “We’re running the ball down their throats—stick with it!”
The Defense Saves the Day
The defense, however, was where the Wolf Pack truly shone. The defensive unit stifled FIU’s offense, forcing four turnovers, with safety Keyshawn Cobb providing the highlight of the game with a 45-yard pick-six in the second quarter just before the half. Cobb’s interception was just one example of a stellar defensive showing that had the Wolf Pack on top all night.
“I don’t know if we win this game without the defense. They were unbelievable,” Hulett said in the post-game press conference. “The turnovers they generated gave us the field position we needed, and Keyshawn’s pick-six was huge.”
Still, there’s no denying the defensive success has only served to further fuel the debate between Hulett and Mehoff. With the team having such success on the ground and defense playing lights out, many are questioning the offensive coordinator’s reluctance to commit to the running game.
What’s Next for Nevada?
As the Wolf Pack look ahead to their next game, the tension between Hulett and Mehoff will undoubtedly remain a point of concern. With Hulett’s emphasis on a balanced approach and Mehoff’s desire to keep the offense centered around the pass, the future of the team’s offensive strategy hangs in the balance.
For now, the Wolf Pack are 1-0. But, unless the coaching staff can mend its fractured relationship, questions about the team's internal dynamics could become just as important as questions about the X’s and O’s.
As for the players, they’ve clearly embraced the challenge. “We’ve got a job to do, and we just focus on playing our part,” said Garwo III after the win. “We know what we’re capable of, and we’ll keep working.”
But whether that work will be undermined by coaching drama is a question that will remain for now—one that no amount of pancakes or pick-sixes can fix.
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