Nevada Wolf Pack football
Encyclopedia
The Nevada Wolf Pack
Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno
(commonly referred to as Nevada in athletics) in college football
. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference
(WAC) at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA. Nevada's current head coach is Chris Ault
, in his third stint for the Wolf Pack.
The Wolf Pack's home field is Mackay Stadium
in Reno
, which opened in October 1966
with a seating capacity
of 7,500. After several expansions, the stadium currently seats 31,000. The playing field sits at an elevation
of 4610 feet (1405 m) above sea level. Originally natural grass, it was replaced with FieldTurf
in 2000
, and permanent lighting was added in 2003
.
along with quarterback Colin Kaepernick
.
Longest Punt - 99 yards - Pat Brady, Nevada vs. Loyola (CA) 1950
Most Yards Receiving Career - 5,005 yards - Trevor Insley (1996–99)
Most Yards Receiving Season - 2,060 yards - Trevor Insley (1999)
Highest Average Receiving Yards Per Game, Career - 160.8 yards - 140.9 yards - Alex Van Dyke (1994–95)
Highest Average Receiving Yards Per Game, Season - 187.3 yards - Trevor Insley (1999)
Most Games Gaining 100 Receiving Yards or More Career - 26 yards - Trevor Insley (1996–99)
Most Games Gaining 200 Receiving Yards or More - 6 yards - Trevor Insley (1999)
Most Consecutive Games Gaining 200 Receiving Yards or More - 3 - Trevor Insley (1999)
Most Receiving Yards Gained in a Game Without Scoring a Touchdown - 326 yards - Nate Burleson, Nevada vs. San Jose St. (2001)
Most Rushing Touchdowns by a Quarterback throughout a career -59- Colin Kaepernick (2007–10)
The only quarterback in the history of College Football to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 4,000 yards - Colin Kaepernick (2007-10)
Nevada is the only college football program to win a conference title in it's first FBS season after moving up from a lower division - 1992 Big West Champions
when it joined the Big West Conference
. The Wolf Pack had competed in Division I-AA since the formation of that division in 1978
, moving up from Division II. Before joining the Big Sky Conference
in 1979
, Nevada competed in the Far West conference, and as a Division II independent in football. Nevada competed in the Division I-AA playoffs in its first two seasons, when just four teams were selected. They returned to the national semi-finals in 1983
and 1985
, when the playoffs included 12 teams, and 1986
with a 16 team field. The Wolf Pack reached the national championship game in 1990
, and the quarterfinals in 1991
. In its 14 years in Division I-AA, Nevada made the playoffs seven times, and went undefeated during the regular season three times (1978, 1986, 1991), compiling an overall record of 122-47-1 (.720). Nevada would record a record of 9-7 in the Division I-AA Playoffs during their time in the Big Sky Conference. In 13 years of Big Sky
membership, the Wolf Pack won four conference titles (1983, 1986, 1990, 1991). The Wolf Pack won the Big West
title in its first year in Division I-A in 1992
.
In 1992, Nevada became the first NCAA Football team to win a conference championship in its first Division I-A season. Nevada won the 1992 Big West Conference title after beating Utah State in the final conference game of the season. Led by Vargas again coming off the bench, Nevada came from behind late in the 4th quarter to win, 48-47.
Nevada has a long standing rivalry with Boise State from the Western Athletic Conference. The rivalry with Boise State does not seem to contain the same amount of bitterness as Nevada's rivalry against UNLV. However, many feel that this has become a more meaningful, and more important rivalry for the Pack since UNLV has become somewhat irrelevant in football over the past few years. Some of the most important games in the history of both programs have been played against each other. In 1990 the Wolf Pack won what is still thought of by many fans to be the most important and thrilling victory in Nevada Football history. In the 1990 season Nevada would win the Big Sky Championship with an overall season record of 13-2. Nevada's only regular season loss was a 30-14 conference loss to the Broncos in Boise, Id. Nevada and Boise would both go on to the Division I-AA Playoffs. The two teams would meet in the 1990 Division I-AA Semi-Finals in Reno for a rematch of their earlier battle that year. With the winner obviously going to the championship, the game would take 3 overtime sessions to find a winner. Nevada Fullback Ray Whalen scored the decisive touchdown in the third overtime with an 8 yard run into the endzone. Nevada's defense would hold Boise after the score on Boise's turn during the alternating overtime sessions. That would be the second game in a row that Nevada played were they would need 3 overtime periods to finish the game. Nevada had defeated Furman the week prior in a triple overtime game. There has been no other game played between the two teams that has taken place in the post-season up to date. Nevada would go on to lose to Georgia Southern by a score of 36-13 in Statesboro, Ga. In 2006 Nevada and Boise State would meet in Reno in Boise State's final regular season game. Boise State won the game giving the Broncos a birth into the Fiesta Bowl. This would be Boise State's first BCS bowl game, where they would go on to beat Oklahoma in dramatic fashion. In 2010 the two teams had met for yet another very meaningful game nearing the end of the season. Nevada would beat Boise State in another dramatic overtime game, ending the Broncos' chances of playing in the Rose Bowl.
On October 14, 2007, the Wolf Pack and the Boise State Broncos would play in yet another historic game to set a new NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision record for total points scored with 136. Boise State won the game 69-67 in the second half of the fourth overtime period, when Broncos LB Tim Brady tripped up Nevada's freshman QB Colin Kaepernick
on the mandatory two point conversion attempt.
Nevada was invited to play the Maryland Terrapins in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl on December 30, 2008. The Wolf Pack would finish the 2008 regular season tied for second place in the WAC, with a record of 7-5 and 5-3 in the WAC. Nevada would trail Louisiana Tech 31-14 with 1:30 left in the 3rd quarter, only to come from behind in the final game of the regular season to win 35-31. The victory all but stamped a bowl invitation for Nevada.
The 2010 Nevada football season was considered by most to be the greatest season ever played, only rivaled by the 1990 season. Nevada would only lose one game against Hawaii on its way to a 13-1 record beating ranked California and Boise State teams, along with beating BYU on the road and Boston College in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Lead by Colin Kaepernick Nevada would wins a share of its first WAC title since 2005, and would ruin #4 at the time Boise State's certain invitation to a BCS game.
Nevada currently holds an 22-15 series lead against arch rival UNLV
. The two schools battle annually on the gridiron for the Fremont Cannon
, the largest and most expensive trophy in college athletics. The game was played only four times in the 1980s, but has been played every year since 1989. The Wolf Pack won the 2011 game by a score of 37-0 in Reno, Nevada. The shutout victory for Nevada was the first shutout in the history of the rivalry. Nevada has won the past 7 games against UNLV. The 7 game win streak in the rivalry is the longest win streak by either team in the series.
Nevada's football program has had 40 All-Americans, and has had a total of 45 All-America Selections. Nevada has also had three players or coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
. They are coach Chris Ault
, running back Frank Hawkins
(1977
-80
), and former coach Buck Shaw
. Fullback Marion Motley
is the only Nevada player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
. Three-time Super Bowl
Champion Charles Mann played for Nevada from 1979
to 1982
and was named Most Valuable Defensive Lineman in 1982. Mann was inducted into the Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995. Another Nevada alumnus with a long career in the NFL was free safety Brock Marion
. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL Draft
by the Dallas Cowboys
; where he played most of his career, and won two Super Bowl
s. Marion was selected to three Pro-Bowls, and one All- Pro team.
On August 18, 2010 the University of Nevada accepted an invitation to the Mountain West Conference along with Fresno State. The Wolf Pack, and Fresno State are scheduled to leave the WAC and start play in the Mountain West Conference in 2012. Both programs will join Boise State who is also leaving the WAC for the Mountain West in 2011. The move to the Mountain West will place Nevada in the same conference as in-state rival UNLV for the first time since 1995.
), as well as fellow WAC member Fresno State. This move was influenced by Boise State's move to the MWC, as well as the MWC's strength of schedule, which is superior to the WAC's. It will also intensify the rivalry with UNLV.
Nevada Wolf Pack
The Nevada Wolf Pack are the collegiate athletic teams that represent the University of Nevada, Reno, consisting of 16 varsity teams. Though often known as UNR within the state, the university is simply called Nevada for athletics purposes; its sports teams are nicknamed the Wolf Pack...
Football program represents the University of Nevada, Reno
University of Nevada, Reno
The University of Nevada, Reno , is a teaching and research university established in 1874 and located in Reno, Nevada, USA...
(commonly referred to as Nevada in athletics) in college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
. The Wolf Pack competes in the Western Athletic Conference
Western Athletic Conference
The Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
(WAC) at the Football Bowl Subdivision level of the NCAA. Nevada's current head coach is Chris Ault
Chris Ault
Chris Ault is the current college football head coach of the University of Nevada Wolf Pack. Ault, along with John Gagliardi, is one of two active coaches who have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame....
, in his third stint for the Wolf Pack.
The Wolf Pack's home field is Mackay Stadium
Mackay Stadium
Mackay Stadium is an outdoor athletic stadium in Reno, Nevada, on the campus of the University of Nevada. It is the home field of the Nevada Wolf Pack of the Western Athletic Conference, the university's venue for football and track & field....
in Reno
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
, which opened in October 1966
1966 in sports
1966 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* FIS Alpine World Ski Championships –** Men's combined champion: Jean-Claude Killy, France** Women's combined champion: Marielle Goitschel, France-American football:...
with a seating capacity
Seating capacity
Seating capacity refers to the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, both in terms of the physical space available, and in terms of limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that seats two to a stadium that seats...
of 7,500. After several expansions, the stadium currently seats 31,000. The playing field sits at an elevation
Elevation
The elevation of a geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface ....
of 4610 feet (1405 m) above sea level. Originally natural grass, it was replaced with FieldTurf
FieldTurf
FieldTurf is a brand of artificial turf playing surface. It is manufactured and installed by the FieldTurf Tarkett division of Tarkett Inc., based in Calhoun, Georgia, USA. In the late 1990s, the artificial surface changed the industry with a design intended to replicate real grass...
in 2000
2000 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2000 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with the Oklahoma Sooners claiming their first national championship and their first conference championship since the departure of head coach Barry Switzer....
, and permanent lighting was added in 2003
2003 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 2003 NCAA Division I-A football season ended with an abundance of controversy, resulting in a split national championship. This was the first split title since the inception of the BCS, something the BCS intended to eliminate....
.
Bowl games
Nevada won in their first bowl game, 13–6 against North Texas in the Salad Bowl on New Year's Day 1948. They were invited to their second bowl game one season later, but lost to Villanova. Nevada was not invited to another bowl game for another 43 years. Nevada had joined Division 1-AA (now known as the FCS) when it was formed in 1978, and would not be eligible for Division 1-A bowl games until joining the Big West in 1992. Nevada was invited to the Las Vegas Bowl the first year after joining the 1-A level. Nevada lost their first two bowl games after joining the Big West, including the first overtime game played at the Division 1-A level against Toledo. Nevada won their first bowl game in 48 years in the 1996 Las Vegas Bowl against Ball State. Nevada would not reach another bowl game for 9 years after the 1996 Las Vegas Bowl, but would win the 2005 Hawaii Bowl by a single point in overtime against Central Florida 49–48. Nevada reached a bowl the following 5 seasons, losing four in a row before beating Boston College 20-13 in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl in San Francisco to break the losing streak.| Date | Bowl | W/L | Opponent | PF | PA |
| January 1, 1948 | Salad Bowl | W | North Texas North Texas Mean Green football The North Texas Mean Green football team represents the University of North Texas in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I-FBS college football and competes as a member of the Sun Belt Conference. The Mean Green have attained several conference championships, including four... |
13 | 6 |
| January 1, 1949 | Harbor Bowl Harbor Bowl The Harbor Bowl was a college football bowl game played at Balboa Stadium in San Diego, California. The game was held from 1947 through 1949.-Game results:... |
L | Villanova Villanova Wildcats The Villanova Wildcats is the name of the athletic teams of Villanova University. They compete in the Big East for every sport except football, where they compete in the Colonial Athletic Association .-Men's basketball:The Villanova Wildcats compete in the Big EAST and are currently coached by Jay... |
7 | 27 |
| December 18, 1992 | Las Vegas Bowl Las Vegas Bowl The Maaco Bowl Las Vegas is an NCAA-sanctioned Division I-A post-season college football bowl game that has been played annually at 40,000-seat Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. since 1992. From 1992 to 1996, matchups featured the champion teams from the Big West and Mid-American... |
L | Bowling Green Bowling Green Falcons football The Bowling Green Falcons football team is the interscholastic football team at Bowling Green State University. Bowling Green competes as a member of the Mid-American Conference in the East Division. The Falcons have won ten conference championships.... |
34 | 35 |
| December 14, 1995 | Las Vegas Bowl 1995 Las Vegas Bowl The 1995 edition to the Las Vegas Bowl was the 4th edition of that annual game. It featured the , and the . Toledo came into the game undefeated at 10-0-1. This game is the first Bowl Division football game to go into overtime, as the overtime rule was adopted starting with the 1995 bowl season... |
L | Toledo Toledo Rockets The Toledo Rockets are the athletic teams that represent the University of Toledo. The Rockets are a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision team in the National Collegiate Athletic Association and play in the Mid-American Conference . The school's colors are midnight blue and gold.Toledo's... |
37 | 40* |
| December 18, 1996 | Las Vegas Bowl 1996 Las Vegas Bowl The 1996 Las Vegas Bowl was the 5th edition of that annual game. It featured the , and the . Ball State was 8-3, after winning 8 straight games following an 0-3 start. They also won the MAC football championship.... |
W | Ball State Ball State Cardinals football The Ball State Cardinals football team represents Ball State University in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football competition as a member of the Mid-American Conference .-Recent history:... |
18 | 15 |
| December 24, 2005 | Hawaii Bowl | W | Central Florida | 49 | 48* |
| December 31, 2006 | MPC Computers Bowl 2006 MPC Computers Bowl The 2006 MPC Computers Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game held on December 31, 2006 at Bronco Stadium in Boise, Idaho. The game featured tie-ins between the Atlantic Coast Conference , which was represented by the Miami Hurricanes, and the Western Athletic Conference , represented by... |
L | Miami (FL) 2006 Miami Hurricanes football team The 2006 Miami Hurricanes football team represented the University of Miami during the 2006 college football season. The team's head coach was Larry Coker.-Preseason:... |
20 | 21 |
| December 22, 2007 | New Mexico Bowl 2007 New Mexico Bowl The 2007 New Mexico Bowl was a post-season American college football bowl game held on December 22, 2007 at University Stadium on the University of New Mexico campus in Albuquerque as part of the 2007-08 NCAA bowl season... |
L | New Mexico | 0 | 23 |
| December 30, 2008 | Humanitarian Bowl 2008 Humanitarian Bowl The 2008 Humanitarian Bowl was a postseason college football bowl game between the Maryland Terrapins and the Nevada Wolf Pack on December 30, 2008. It was the two teams' first meeting. The game featured two conference tie-ins: the University of Maryland represented the Atlantic Coast Conference ... |
L | Maryland 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team The 2008 Maryland Terrapins football team represented the University of Maryland in the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Bowl Subdivision college football season... |
35 | 42 |
| December 24, 2009 | Hawaii Bowl | L | SMU SMU Mustangs football The SMU Mustangs football program is a college football team that represents Southern Methodist University . The team competes in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision as a member Conference USA... |
10 | 45 |
| January 9, 2011 | Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl | W | Boston College Boston College Eagles football The Boston College Eagles football team is the collegiate football program of Boston College. The team is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference, a Division I Bowl Subdivision league governed by the NCAA. Within the ACC, the Eagles are one of six teams in the Atlantic Division... |
20 | 13 |
| Total | 11 bowl games | 4–7 | *=overtime | ||
1923 Cal game
A game that will always be remembered in Nevada football history was the improbable 0-0 tie against California in 1923. Cal entered the game in the midst of a 50-game undefeated streak, 4 consecutive conference championships, and two consecutive Rose Bowl appearances. The team was so dominant it was known as the "Wonder Team." The fact that the Wolf Pack, a much smaller program from a lower division, held powerhouse Cal scoreless in Berkley makes this final score one of the most interesting in college football history. Cal would go on to finish the season with a 9-0-1 record, and claims 1923 as one of their national championship years.NCAA Records
In the 2009 football season, the University of Nevada became the only team in NCAA football history to have 3 players break 1,000 yards rushing during the same season. The 3 players to accomplish this feat for the Wolf Pack were running backs Luke Lippincott and Vai TauaVai Taua
Vailala "Vai" Lima Taua is an American football running back, for the practice squad of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League. He was signed by the Buffalo Bills as an undrafted free agent in 2011. He played college football at Nevada.-Early years:Taua was born in Fountain Valley,...
along with quarterback Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Rand Kaepernick is an American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at Nevada.-Personal:...
.
Longest Punt - 99 yards - Pat Brady, Nevada vs. Loyola (CA) 1950
Most Yards Receiving Career - 5,005 yards - Trevor Insley (1996–99)
Most Yards Receiving Season - 2,060 yards - Trevor Insley (1999)
Highest Average Receiving Yards Per Game, Career - 160.8 yards - 140.9 yards - Alex Van Dyke (1994–95)
Highest Average Receiving Yards Per Game, Season - 187.3 yards - Trevor Insley (1999)
Most Games Gaining 100 Receiving Yards or More Career - 26 yards - Trevor Insley (1996–99)
Most Games Gaining 200 Receiving Yards or More - 6 yards - Trevor Insley (1999)
Most Consecutive Games Gaining 200 Receiving Yards or More - 3 - Trevor Insley (1999)
- tied with Howard Twilley of Tulsa (1965)
Most Receiving Yards Gained in a Game Without Scoring a Touchdown - 326 yards - Nate Burleson, Nevada vs. San Jose St. (2001)
Most Rushing Touchdowns by a Quarterback throughout a career -59- Colin Kaepernick (2007–10)
- tied with Eric Crouch of Nebraska (1998-01)
The only quarterback in the history of College Football to pass for 10,000 yards and rush for 4,000 yards - Colin Kaepernick (2007-10)
Nevada is the only college football program to win a conference title in it's first FBS season after moving up from a lower division - 1992 Big West Champions
I-AA history
Nevada moved up to Division I-A in 19921992 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1992 NCAA Division I-A football season was the first year of the Bowl Coalition, and ended with Alabama's first national championship in thirteen years—their first since the departure of Bear Bryant...
when it joined the Big West Conference
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
. The Wolf Pack had competed in Division I-AA since the formation of that division in 1978
1978 in sports
1978 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Ingemar Stenmark, Sweden** Women's overall season champion: Hanni Wenzel, Liechtenstein-American football:...
, moving up from Division II. Before joining the Big Sky Conference
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
in 1979
1979 in sports
1979 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Peter Lüscher, Switzerland** Women's overall season champion: Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Austria-American football:...
, Nevada competed in the Far West conference, and as a Division II independent in football. Nevada competed in the Division I-AA playoffs in its first two seasons, when just four teams were selected. They returned to the national semi-finals in 1983
1983 in sports
1983 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup:** Men's overall season champion: Phil Mahre, United States** Women's overall season champion: Tamara McKinney, United States-American football:...
and 1985
1985 in sports
1985 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup:** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Michela Figini, Switzerland-American football:...
, when the playoffs included 12 teams, and 1986
1986 in sports
1986 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup –** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Maria Walliser, Switzerland-American football:...
with a 16 team field. The Wolf Pack reached the national championship game in 1990
1990 in sports
1990 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Pirmin Zurbriggen, Switzerland-American football:...
, and the quarterfinals in 1991
1991 in sports
1991 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:...
. In its 14 years in Division I-AA, Nevada made the playoffs seven times, and went undefeated during the regular season three times (1978, 1986, 1991), compiling an overall record of 122-47-1 (.720). Nevada would record a record of 9-7 in the Division I-AA Playoffs during their time in the Big Sky Conference. In 13 years of Big Sky
Big Sky Conference
The Big Sky Conference is an intercollegiate college athletic conference affiliated with the NCAA's Division I, with football competing in the Football Championship Subdivision. The BSC was founded in 1963. Member institutions are located in the western United States in the states of Arizona,...
membership, the Wolf Pack won four conference titles (1983, 1986, 1990, 1991). The Wolf Pack won the Big West
Big West Conference
The Big West Conference is an NCAA-affiliated Division I mid-major college athletic conference. When the conference began in 1969, its name was the Pacific Coast Athletic Association . After nineteen years, in 1988, its name was changed to the Big West Conference. The conference stopped...
title in its first year in Division I-A in 1992
1992 in sports
1992 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup* Men's overall season champion: Paul Accola, Switzerland* Women's overall season champion: Petra Kronberger, Austria-American football:...
.
Nevada I-AA (FCS) Playoff History
I-AA (FCS) Playoff Record: 9 Wins, 7 Losses |
Move to I-A and 1-A History
The change from Division I-AA to Division I-A brought a lot of excitement to Wolf Pack fans. In 1991, Nevada's final season in Division I-AA, the Wolf Pack recorded what still stands as one of the biggest comebacks in Division I NCAA Football history when they defeated Weber State 55-49, after trailing by 35 points in the second half. Backup quarterback Chris Vargas led a second half Nevada comeback of 41 unanswered points to win the game. After the game, Vargas was given the nickname, "The Comeback Kid," and would become one of the greatest quarterbacks to play for the Wolf Pack.In 1992, Nevada became the first NCAA Football team to win a conference championship in its first Division I-A season. Nevada won the 1992 Big West Conference title after beating Utah State in the final conference game of the season. Led by Vargas again coming off the bench, Nevada came from behind late in the 4th quarter to win, 48-47.
Nevada has a long standing rivalry with Boise State from the Western Athletic Conference. The rivalry with Boise State does not seem to contain the same amount of bitterness as Nevada's rivalry against UNLV. However, many feel that this has become a more meaningful, and more important rivalry for the Pack since UNLV has become somewhat irrelevant in football over the past few years. Some of the most important games in the history of both programs have been played against each other. In 1990 the Wolf Pack won what is still thought of by many fans to be the most important and thrilling victory in Nevada Football history. In the 1990 season Nevada would win the Big Sky Championship with an overall season record of 13-2. Nevada's only regular season loss was a 30-14 conference loss to the Broncos in Boise, Id. Nevada and Boise would both go on to the Division I-AA Playoffs. The two teams would meet in the 1990 Division I-AA Semi-Finals in Reno for a rematch of their earlier battle that year. With the winner obviously going to the championship, the game would take 3 overtime sessions to find a winner. Nevada Fullback Ray Whalen scored the decisive touchdown in the third overtime with an 8 yard run into the endzone. Nevada's defense would hold Boise after the score on Boise's turn during the alternating overtime sessions. That would be the second game in a row that Nevada played were they would need 3 overtime periods to finish the game. Nevada had defeated Furman the week prior in a triple overtime game. There has been no other game played between the two teams that has taken place in the post-season up to date. Nevada would go on to lose to Georgia Southern by a score of 36-13 in Statesboro, Ga. In 2006 Nevada and Boise State would meet in Reno in Boise State's final regular season game. Boise State won the game giving the Broncos a birth into the Fiesta Bowl. This would be Boise State's first BCS bowl game, where they would go on to beat Oklahoma in dramatic fashion. In 2010 the two teams had met for yet another very meaningful game nearing the end of the season. Nevada would beat Boise State in another dramatic overtime game, ending the Broncos' chances of playing in the Rose Bowl.
On October 14, 2007, the Wolf Pack and the Boise State Broncos would play in yet another historic game to set a new NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision record for total points scored with 136. Boise State won the game 69-67 in the second half of the fourth overtime period, when Broncos LB Tim Brady tripped up Nevada's freshman QB Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Rand Kaepernick is an American football quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He played college football at Nevada.-Personal:...
on the mandatory two point conversion attempt.
Nevada was invited to play the Maryland Terrapins in the 2008 Humanitarian Bowl on December 30, 2008. The Wolf Pack would finish the 2008 regular season tied for second place in the WAC, with a record of 7-5 and 5-3 in the WAC. Nevada would trail Louisiana Tech 31-14 with 1:30 left in the 3rd quarter, only to come from behind in the final game of the regular season to win 35-31. The victory all but stamped a bowl invitation for Nevada.
The 2010 Nevada football season was considered by most to be the greatest season ever played, only rivaled by the 1990 season. Nevada would only lose one game against Hawaii on its way to a 13-1 record beating ranked California and Boise State teams, along with beating BYU on the road and Boston College in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl. Lead by Colin Kaepernick Nevada would wins a share of its first WAC title since 2005, and would ruin #4 at the time Boise State's certain invitation to a BCS game.
Nevada currently holds an 22-15 series lead against arch rival UNLV
UNLV Rebels football
The UNLV Rebels football program is a college football team that represents the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The team is currently a member of the Mountain West Conference, which is a Division I Bowl Subdivision of the National Collegiate Athletics Association...
. The two schools battle annually on the gridiron for the Fremont Cannon
Fremont Cannon
The Fremont Cannon is the trophy awarded to the winner of the Battle for Nevada, a college football rivalry game between the University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . The trophy was built in 1970 and is a replica of a 19th century Howitzer cannon that accompanied...
, the largest and most expensive trophy in college athletics. The game was played only four times in the 1980s, but has been played every year since 1989. The Wolf Pack won the 2011 game by a score of 37-0 in Reno, Nevada. The shutout victory for Nevada was the first shutout in the history of the rivalry. Nevada has won the past 7 games against UNLV. The 7 game win streak in the rivalry is the longest win streak by either team in the series.
Nevada's football program has had 40 All-Americans, and has had a total of 45 All-America Selections. Nevada has also had three players or coaches inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame is a hall of fame and museum devoted to college football. Located in South Bend, Indiana, it is connected to a convention center and situated in the city's renovated downtown district, two miles south of the University of Notre Dame campus. It is slated to move...
. They are coach Chris Ault
Chris Ault
Chris Ault is the current college football head coach of the University of Nevada Wolf Pack. Ault, along with John Gagliardi, is one of two active coaches who have been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame....
, running back Frank Hawkins
Frank Hawkins
Frank Hawkins, Jr. is a former professional football player, a running back who played seven seasons in the NFL with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, from 1981 to 1987.-Football career:...
(1977
1977 college football season
The 1977 college football season was one in which the top five teams all finished with records of 11-1-0. Notre Dame, which beat a #1 ranked Texas team in the Cotton Bowl Classic, became the national champion. The year 1977 was the last before NCAA's Division I was divided into I-A and I-AA...
-80
1980 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1980 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Georgia take its first national title since World War II.The Georgia Bulldogs starred freshman running back Herschel Walker, who made his NCAA debut against Tennessee. Down 15-2 at halftime, Georgia sent in Walker, the third string running back at the...
), and former coach Buck Shaw
Buck Shaw
Lawrence T. "Buck" Shaw was an American football player and coach. He served as the head coach for Santa Clara University, the University of California, Berkeley, the San Francisco 49ers, the United States Air Force Academy, and the Philadelphia Eagles...
. Fullback Marion Motley
Marion Motley
Marion Motley was a professional football player, a fullback for the Cleveland Browns, and briefly for the Pittsburgh Steelers.-Early years:...
is the only Nevada player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Pro Football Hall of Fame
The Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
. Three-time Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
Champion Charles Mann played for Nevada from 1979
1979 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1979 NCAA Division I-A football season saw the Alabama Crimson Tide bring home a national title with a perfect 12-0 season. The title was Alabama's 11th claimed, though the number is disputed. It was their 6th Associated Press awarded title....
to 1982
1982 NCAA Division I-A football season
The 1982 NCAA Division I-A football season saw Paul "Bear" Bryant retire as head coach at Alabama with 323 career victories in 38 seasons.The Penn State Nittany Lions won their first consensus national championship, closing out an 11-1 season by defeating Georgia and Heisman Trophy winner Herschel...
and was named Most Valuable Defensive Lineman in 1982. Mann was inducted into the Nevada Athletics Hall of Fame in 1995. Another Nevada alumnus with a long career in the NFL was free safety Brock Marion
Brock Marion
Brock Elliot Marion is a former American football free safety in the National Football League who played twelve seasons for the Dallas Cowboys, the Miami Dolphins, and the Detroit Lions from 1993 to 2004. Marion was a three-time Pro Bowler in 2000, 2002 and 2003 with the Dolphins...
. He was selected in the seventh round of the 1993 NFL Draft
1993 NFL Draft
The 1993 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 25-26, 1993...
by the Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football franchise which plays in the Eastern Division of the National Football Conference of the National Football League . They are headquartered in Valley Ranch in Irving, Texas, a suburb of Dallas...
; where he played most of his career, and won two Super Bowl
Super Bowl
The Super Bowl is the championship game of the National Football League , the highest level of professional American football in the United States, culminating a season that begins in the late summer of the previous calendar year. The Super Bowl uses Roman numerals to identify each game, rather...
s. Marion was selected to three Pro-Bowls, and one All- Pro team.
On August 18, 2010 the University of Nevada accepted an invitation to the Mountain West Conference along with Fresno State. The Wolf Pack, and Fresno State are scheduled to leave the WAC and start play in the Mountain West Conference in 2012. Both programs will join Boise State who is also leaving the WAC for the Mountain West in 2011. The move to the Mountain West will place Nevada in the same conference as in-state rival UNLV for the first time since 1995.
"Blue Friday"
On November 26, 2010 #19 Ranked Nevada faced #3 AP #4 BCS Ranked Boise State in Reno, a match up hyped as the biggest sporting event in Reno for the past 100 years. Boise State had the nation's longest winning streak at 24 games, and were trying to jump TCU and Oregon in the BCS poll to have a shot at the National Title with a win against Nevada. At the start of the 2nd half Nevada was trailing 24-7 but mounted a furious comeback when Nevada Senior Quarterback Colin Kaepernick scored a 18-yard rushing touchdown in the 3rd quarter cutting the lead to 24-14. In the 4th quarter the Wolf Pack scored a rushing touchdown when receiver Richard Matthews broke through the defense on a reverse to cut it to 24-21. On the next Wolf Pack Possession Nevada Kicker Anthony Martinez kicked a 23-yard field goal to tie the game 24-24. But Boise St scored another touchdown when Kellen Moore hit Doug Martin on a screen for a 79-yard touchdown pass to go up 31-24. With 4:53 remaining in the game. Kaepernick lead the Wolf Pack on a 14-play drive capping off with a touchdown pass to Richard Matthews to tie the game at 31-31 with 13 seconds remaining. Kellen Moore then completed a Hail Mary pass down field to the Nevada 9 yard line with 2 seonds left, but Boise State kicker Kyle Brotzman missed a 26-Yard Field goal as time expired in regulation. In Overtime, Brotzman missed a 29-yard Field goal during the Bronco's turn on offense during the first overtime. When Nevada got its turn on offense Anthony Martinez kicked a 34-yard Field goal to give Nevada the biggest win in the history of the program, and knocked Boise State out of BCS title contention. Nevada would go on to win a share of the 2010 WAC title 8 days later after beating Louisiana Tech 35-17.Nevada Conference Championship Seasons
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Future Move
In 2012, Nevada will leave the WAC and move to the MWC (Mountain West ConferenceMountain West Conference
The Mountain West Conference , popularly known as the Mountain West, is the youngest of the college athletic conferences affiliated with the NCAA’s Division I FBS . The MWC officially began operations in July 1999...
), as well as fellow WAC member Fresno State. This move was influenced by Boise State's move to the MWC, as well as the MWC's strength of schedule, which is superior to the WAC's. It will also intensify the rivalry with UNLV.
Retired numbers
- 41 - Marion MotleyMarion MotleyMarion Motley was a professional football player, a fullback for the Cleveland Browns, and briefly for the Pittsburgh Steelers.-Early years:...
, played three seasons with the Wolf Pack (1940-42) and has been considered by many as "The Jackie RobinsonJackie RobinsonJack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
of Football." Motley was one of four African Americans to break professional football's color barrier when he signed with the Cleveland Browns1946 Cleveland Browns seasonThe 1946 Cleveland Browns season marked the team's inaugural season in the All-America Football Conference. The Browns, coached by Paul Brown, ended their first season in the league with a record of 12–2, winning the Western Division...
in 19461946 NFL seasonThe 1946 NFL season was the 27th regular season of the National Football League. Before the season, Elmer Layden resigned as NFL Commissioner and Bert Bell, co-founder of the Philadelphia Eagles, replaced him...
, and helped lead the Browns to four straight AAFCAll-America Football ConferenceThe All-America Football Conference was a professional American football league that challenged the established National Football League from 1946 to 1949. One of the NFL's most formidable challengers, the AAFC attracted many of the nation's best players, and introduced many lasting innovations...
titles and the 1950 NFL title in their first year in the league. Motley was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of FamePro Football Hall of FameThe Pro Football Hall of Fame is the hall of fame of professional football in the United States with an emphasis on the National Football League . It opened in Canton, Ohio, on September 7, 1963, with 17 charter inductees...
in 1968, located in his homeown of Canton, OhioCanton, OhioCanton is the county seat of Stark County in northeastern Ohio, approximately south of Akron and south of Cleveland.The City of Caton is the largest incorporated area within the Canton-Massillon Metropolitan Statistical Area...
, was selected to the NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team in 19941994 NFL seasonThe 1994 NFL season was the 75th regular season of the National Football League. To honor the NFL's 75th season, a special anniversary logo was designed and each player wore a patch on their jerseys with this logo throughout the season...
.
- 27 - Frank HawkinsFrank HawkinsFrank Hawkins, Jr. is a former professional football player, a running back who played seven seasons in the NFL with the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders, from 1981 to 1987.-Football career:...
, played four seasons with the Wolf Pack (1977-80) and was a three-time All-American (Division I-AA) at running back, and led Division I-AA in rushing twice. Selected in the tenth round of the 1981 NFL Draft1981 NFL DraftThe 1981 NFL Draft was the procedure by which National Football League teams selected amateur college football players. It is officially known as the NFL Annual Player Selection Meeting. The draft was held April 28–29, 1981...
by the Oakland Raiders1981 Oakland Raiders seasonThe 1981 Oakland Raiders season began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record from 1980. The Raiders were the defending Super Bowl champions, but did not qualify in the playoffs in the 1981 season. It was also their last season in Oakland until 1995.-NFL Draft:-Schedule:-See also:*...
, he played seven seasons with the Raiders and was a member of the 1984 team1984 Los Angeles Raiders seasonThe 1984 Los Angeles Raiders season was their 25th in the league. They failed to improve upon their previous season's output of 12–4, winning only eleven games. Despite finishing third in their division, the team qualified for the playoffs for the third consecutive...
that won Super Bowl XVIIISuper Bowl XVIIISuper Bowl XVIII was an American football game played on January 22, 1984, at Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Florida, deciding the National Football League champion following the 1983 regular season. The American Football Conference champion Los Angeles Raiders defeated the National Football Conference...
. His 5,333 career rushing yards at Nevada ranks fourth all-time in NCAA history.