GAME NOTES: Charlie Weis and his 23rd-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish begin a favorable slate of 2009 games with a home matchup against the Nevada Wolf Pack. This game marks the first-ever meeting between the Irish and Pack on the gridiron.

Nevada, a member of the Western Athletic Conference, won seven games in 2008 and reached the Humanitarian Bowl. Despite a seven-point loss to Maryland in that postseason affair, the Wolf Pack are headed in the right direction under the guidance of head coach Chris Ault.

The Fighting Irish had no place to go but up following a disastrous 2007 campaign. Weis' squad made some encouraging strides in '08, finishing a respectable 7-6 overall. The once-mighty program managed to snap a streak of nine straight bowl game losses with a 49-21 rout of Hawaii in the Hawaii Bowl. Still, the days of the Fighting Irish being thought of as a perennial football powerhouse are over. The hope is that the combination of a wealth of returning talent and a fairly soft schedule will lead to a resurrection.

Notre Dame has won three of its last four season openers, while Nevada snapped a four-year drought in lidlifters with a win last year.

Last season, Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick showcased his versatility, becoming just the fifth player in FBS history to both pass for 2,000 yards and run for 1,000 in the same season, setting him up for WAC Offensive Player of the Year honors in the process. Kaepernick, who was the Freshman of the Year in the WAC, is a one-of-a-kind player who can exploit defenses both with his arm and his legs.

"The thing that I like that Kaep(ernick) has developed since last season, he has now become, without question, the team leader on both sides of the ball." says coach Ault.

Because of Kaepernick, the Pack set a total of four team records a season ago, perhaps the most impressive being the squad's 3,611 yards on the ground. With Luke Lippincott set to return from injury, having been granted another year of eligibility, the group has a total of three players who have, at one point or another, rushed for at least 1,000 yards in a season.

More than just another running back, Vai Taua led the league in rushing a season ago with his 118.3 ypg. Thanks to his 30 receptions for another 243 yards and three touchdowns, he was named All-WAC First Team. Chris Wellington steps in as the top returning receiver for the Pack after collecting 42 balls for 632 yards and six touchdowns.

Nevada ranked sixth in the country in run defense in '08, surrendering just 88.6 ypg. So it is surprising to hear Ault say that, "That (the defensive side of the ball), without question will be our most improved unit on the football team."

The secondary brings back a pair of senior starters from a year ago in Jonathon Amaya and Antoine Thompson, the former leading the group in interceptions (four) and tying for the team-high with 68 tackles. Linebackers Brandon Marshall and James-Michael Johnson both bring some starting experience with them to the 2009 group, but being just sophomores means they are still learning on the job as well.

Up on the line of scrimmage will be another senior in Nate Agaiava, along with juniors Kevin Basped and Dontay Moch. In Basped, the Pack bring back their top man in terms of tackles for loss, coming up with 18.5, including 10 sacks. Moch has been placed on the Watch List for the Ted Hendricks Award after posting 11.5 sacks in '08.

Notre Dame is loaded with talent on the offensive side of the ball, and the team's success rests largely on the shoulders of junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen. The ultra-talented signal caller is looking to build on last season's success, when he completed 61 percent of his passes and threw for 3,172 yards and 25 TDs. He also threw 17 interceptions, a number that must come down a bit.

"First of all, the percentage of touchdown to interceptions has to change, okay?" said Weis, discussing the key's to the season. "We have to be a lot more careful with the ball, not forcing the ball into coverage. I think that's going to be very important."

It will certainly help to have a pair of big-time targets to throw to, as wideouts Golden Tate (58 rec, 1,080 yds, 10 TD) and Michael Floyd (48-719-7) are back to hopefully improve on solid 2008 campaigns.

At running back, many are still waiting for Armando Allen (585 yds, three TDs) to break out, while critics feel he simply lacks big-play ability. Expect Allen to get plenty of touches against Nevada in this opener, as he will likely hold on to his starting role with a strong performance.

Moving to the defensive side of the ball, junior Brian Smith heads a promising linebacking corps. Senior Toryan Smith did an admirable job manning the middle last season when Brian Smith was injured and sophomore Darius Fleming impressed enough at defensive end, that the coaching staff decided to move him to the SAM linebacker spot to hopefully, better utilize his instincts and athleticism.

"We know the system," says Toryan Smith, talking about the difference between the defense of last season and this season. "We're gonna be alot faster. Alot smarter."

The secondary is also deep, with leading tackler Kyle McCarthy (110 tackles) back at free safety, and Raeshon McNeil headlining a capable group of cornerbacks.

Questions abound on the defensive line, and whether this group can provide enough push at the point of attack. If not, opposing offenses will look to run right at the Irish defense. Nevada is an outstanding running team, so expect Notre Dame to be challenged right away.

Notre Dame has done nothing to deserve praise in recent years, but a turnaround in 2009 seems likely for the reasons mentioned above. Clausen showed flashes of brilliance last season, and he will put it all together beginning this weekend.