2009 Nevada Wolf Pack Football Preview
2009 Nevada Wolf Pack season preview from Maddux Sports. Below you can find our official Nevada Wolf Pack football preview as well as the 2009 Nevada Wolf Pack Football Schedule. Before leaving be sure and bookmaker our live college football odds page which offers up to the minute point spreads for this weeks games.
Coach: Chris Ault (25th year at Nevada)
Team Name: Wolf Pack
2008 Overall Record: 7-6
Returning Starters: 14
The 2008 Nevada Wolf Pack (7- 6 overall, 5- 3 WAC) finished third in the WAC, earning their fourth straight bowl berth. The Wolf Pack went to the Humanitarian Bowl where they lost to Maryland 35- 42, marking their third bowl loss in four seasons.
The offense put an average of 37.6 PPG (12th nationally) on the scoreboard in 2008. Most of that offensive punch is back. QB Colin Kaepernick (383 ATT, 208 COMP, 2,849 YDs, 7 INTs, 22 TDs) was the 2008 WAC Offensive Player of the Year. That was his sophomore year. Now a junior, even more is expected from him. Along with being a sound leader and fine passer, Kaepernick ran for 1,130 yards and 17 touchdowns. RB Vai Taua (236 ATT, 1,521 YDs, 15 TDs) topped all WAC runners last season. He’s back too. Junior wideout Chris Wellington (42 REC, 632 YDs, 6 TDs) returns as the team’s leading receiver. The Wolf Pack wants to throw more. In order to do so, they’ll need to replace their two top receivers. That will be difficult to do. The offensive line returns four key players. It should be a solid squad.
The defense was extremely effective versus the rush, holding opponents to just 88.6 YPG (6th nationally). But the pass defense had numerous holes as the secondary gave up 311.6 YPG (119th nationally). The defensive ends are massive talents. Juniors Kevin Basped and Dontay Moch combined for 100 tackles, 21.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for a loss. There is depth at the linebacking spots. As freshmen last year, SLB James-Michael Johnson (49 TKLS, 1 INT) notched 11 TFL and WLB Brandon Marshall (33 TKLS, 1 INT) garnered 6.5 TFL. The biggest problem for the team is the secondary. SS Jonathan Amaya (68 TKLs) led the team in picks with four. The “D” gave up 32.3 PPG (99th nationally). For the Pack to become a national power, the defense, especially the secondary, must step up.
On special teams, Ricky Drake, a junior college transfer, will take over PAT and field goal duties for the extremely accurate Brett Jaekle. Jaekle was 63-of-63 on PATs and 14-of-17 on field goals. Brad Langley (42 Punts, 1,850 YDs, 44.0 YPP, 10 In20) possesses a booming leg. The return game was weak last season. It’s hoped that punt returner Antoine Thompson can average better than 4.9 yards per run back and Brandon Fragger can average more than 18.2 yards per kick return.
Head coach Chris Ault (198- 91 in 24 years with Nevada) brings in the least impressive recruiting class in the league, which makes this season business as usual. Ault is an expert at refining and bringing out talent that others rarely see. Nevada opens its season at Notre Dame on September 5. This is the first ever meeting between the two. It’s a big game for both teams. Another big test occurs when Missouri visits on September 25. Nevada will play its final game at Boise State. That contest could determine the league title. The Nevada Wolf Pack look to finish second in the WAC and earn another trip to a low tier bowl.
Nevada Wolf Pack Football Schedule
| Date | Team | Opponent | Site | Line | Total | Points | Opp Points |
| 9/5/2009 | Nevada | Notre Dame | away | ||||
| 9/19/2009 | Nevada | Colorado St. | away | ||||
| 9/25/2009 | Nevada | Missouri | home | ||||
| 10/3/2009 | Nevada | UNLV | home | ||||
| 10/9/2009 | Nevada | Louisiana Tech | home | ||||
| 10/17/2009 | Nevada | Utah St. | away | ||||
| 10/24/2009 | Nevada | Idaho | home | ||||
| 10/31/2009 | Nevada | Hawaii | home | ||||
| 11/8/2009 | Nevada | San Jose St. | away | ||||
| 11/14/2009 | Nevada | Fresno St. | home | ||||
| 11/21/2009 | Nevada | New Mexico St. | away | ||||
| 11/27/2009 | Nevada | Boise St. | away |
For more info on the 2009 University of Nevada football program, view the Wolfpack website or read up on the rest of the non BCS ncaa football teams below.
