2009 UNLV Rebels football team
American college football season
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The 2009 UNLV Rebels football team represented the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as a member of the Mountain West Conference (MW) during the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by Mike Sanford Sr. in his fifth and final year as head coach, the Rebels compiled an overall record of 5–7 record with mark of 3–5 in conference play, placing sixth in the MW. The team played home games at Sam Boyd Stadium in Whitney, Nevada.
- Mike Sanford Sr. (5th season)
| 2009 UNLV Rebels football | |
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| Conference | Mountain West Conference |
| Record | 5–7 (3–5 MW) |
| Head coach |
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| Offensive coordinator | Todd Berry (3rd season) |
| Defensive coordinator | Dennis Therrell (2nd season) |
| Home stadium | Sam Boyd Stadium |
| Conf. | Overall | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Team | W | L | W | L | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 6 TCU $ | 8 | – | 0 | 12 | – | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 12 BYU | 7 | – | 1 | 11 | – | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| No. 18 Utah | 6 | – | 2 | 10 | – | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Air Force | 5 | – | 3 | 8 | – | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Wyoming | 4 | – | 4 | 7 | – | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| UNLV | 3 | – | 5 | 5 | – | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| San Diego State | 2 | – | 6 | 4 | – | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| New Mexico | 1 | – | 7 | 1 | – | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Colorado State | 0 | – | 8 | 3 | – | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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In November, Mike Sanford was fired after five losing seasons, a 16–43 overall record, and no bowl game appearances. He won his last game as head coach against San Diego State on November 28, 28–24, with a fourth quarter comeback.[1]
Schedule
| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September 5 | 7:00 p.m. | Sacramento State* | W 38–3 | 22,195 | [2] | ||
| September 12 | 8:00 p.m. | No. 24 Oregon State* |
| CBSCS | L 21–23 | 25,967 | [3] |
| September 19 | 8:00 p.m. | Hawaii* |
| mtn., CBSCS | W 34–33 | 29,717 | [4] |
| September 26 | 12:00 p.m. | at Wyoming | L 27–30 | 19,196 | [5] | ||
| October 3 | 1:00 p.m. | at Nevada* | L 28–63 | 24,078 | [6] | ||
| October 10 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 20 BYU |
| mtn. | L 21–59 | 25,597 | [7] |
| October 17 | 7:00 p.m. | No. 24 Utah |
| mtn. | L 15–35 | 26,315 | [8] |
| October 24 | 5:00 p.m. | at New Mexico | mtn. | W 34–17 | 24,021 | [9] | |
| October 31 | 1:00 p.m. | at No. 6 TCU | Versus | L 0–41 | 33,541 | [10] | |
| November 7 | 7:00 p.m. | Colorado State |
| mtn. | W 35–16 | 15,902 | [11] |
| November 14 | 3:00 p.m. | at Air Force | mtn. | L 17–45 | 25,370 | [12] | |
| November 28 | 6:00 p.m. | San Diego State |
| mtn. | W 28–24 | 13,730 | [13] |
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Preseason
At the 2009 Mountain West Conference Media Day in Las Vegas, the Rebels were picked to finish fifth in the conference, the highest preseason ranking since the Rebels were picked to finish tied for fifth with BYU in 2004.[17] ESPN NFL analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. named the Rebels, along with Miami (FL), California and SMU, as one of his sleepers that could make "national noise" in 2009.[18] Kiper stated: "If Omar Clayton, their quarterback, can stay healthy and get the ball to Ryan Wolfe, UNLV, I think, can go bowling for the first time in a long time and be a factor in the Mountain West Conference."[19] Paul Myerberg of The New York Times ranked UNLV in the 84th position in their preseason Quad Countdown, in front of Ball State and behind UTEP. The ranking was an improvement of 27 spots from their 2008 preseason ranking of 111th. Myerberg predicted that the Rebels would go 6-6 and earn their first bowl berth since their 2000 Las Vegas Bowl victory against Arkansas.[20]
Junior quarterback Omar Clayton received much praise during the preseason including that from The New York Times and Mel Kiper, Jr. and was named as one of the favorites to be named the conference's Offensive Player of the Year by Bleacher Report's Mountain West Conference writer.[21] Senior wide receiver Ryan Wolfe was named as one of the best non-BCS receivers in the country by The New York Times and was named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list during the preseason.[22] Wolfe entered the season only 50 receptions and 900 yards away from breaking the conference's career receptions and receiving yards records.[20] Wolfe and senior linebacker Jason Beauchamp were both named to the All-MWC preseason team.[23]
On July 3, sophomore linebacker Bryce Saldi suffered severe injuries following a skateboarding accident while in southern California. Saldi was placed in the intensive care unit at Loma Linda University Medical Center.[24]
Game summaries
Sacramento State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hornets | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Rebels | 10 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 38 |
UNLV opened their season as a 22-point favorite against NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) squad Sacramento State from the Big Sky Conference. Both teams' passing games were hampered by the 32 mph wind gusts that were recorded around the stadium. UNLV took a 10–3 lead into halftime after a one-yard touchdown run by junior runningback Channing Trotter and a 39-yard field goal by senior kicker Kyle Watson gave UNLV the 10–0 lead after the first quarter. Sacramento State scored their only points of the game on a 44-yard field goal by Hornets' kicker Chris Diniz[25]
In the second half, the Rebels exploded on offense, starting with another 1-yard touchdown run by Trotter late in the third quarter. Trotter scored his third one-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to push the Rebels lead to 24–3. The Rebels increased their lead midway through the fourth on a 55-yard strike from senior quarterback Omar Clayton to senior wide receiver Rodelin Anthony. Clayton's backup, sophomore Mike Clausen, played the final minutes of the game and sealed the Rebels victory with a 4-yard touchdown run. The win against Sacramento State was their fourth straight opener.[26]
Oregon State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beavers | 0 | 6 | 14 | 3 | 23 |
| Rebels | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
Hawai'i
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Warriors | 10 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 33 |
| Rebels | 7 | 7 | 7 | 13 | 34 |
Wyoming
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebels | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 27 |
| Cowboys | 3 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 30 |
Nevada
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebels | 0 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| Wolf Pack | 14 | 7 | 14 | 28 | 63 |
BYU
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cougars | 10 | 14 | 21 | 14 | 59 |
| Rebels | 0 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 |
Utah
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utes | 7 | 21 | 0 | 7 | 35 |
| Rebels | 3 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 15 |
New Mexico
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebels | 14 | 7 | 3 | 10 | 34 |
| Lobos | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
TCU
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Horned Frogs | 10 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 41 |
Colorado State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rams | 0 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 16 |
| Rebels | 0 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
Air Force
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rebels | 0 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 17 |
| Falcons | 7 | 17 | 7 | 14 | 45 |
San Diego State
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztecs | 14 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 24 |
| Rebels | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 28 |
Personnel
Recruiting
| Name | Hometown | School | Height | Weight | 40‡ | Commit date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jordan Barrett LB |
Sherman Oaks, CA | Notre Dame HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 225 lb (102 kg) | 4.7 | Jan 28, 2009 |
Recruit ratings: Scout:  Rivals: | ||||||
| B.J. Bell DE |
Santa Ana, CA | Santa Ana College | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 245 lb (111 kg) | 4.65 | Jan 9, 2009 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Caleb Herring QB |
Perris, CA | Citrus Hills HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 4.75 | Jun 5, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Bradley Randle RB |
Murrieta, CA | Vista Murrieta HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 4.40 | Nov 25, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Nathan Holloway DT |
Las Vegas, NV | Spring Valley HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 332 lb (151 kg) | 5.36 | Dec 7, 2008 |
Recruit ratings: Scout:  Rivals: | ||||||
| Doug Zismann OL |
Phoenix, AZ | Shadow Mountain HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 265 lb (120 kg) | 5.3 | Nov 1, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Kenny Brown DB |
Santa Clarita, CA | College of the Canyons | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | — | Dec 16, 2008 |
Recruit ratings: Scout:  Rivals: | ||||||
| Alex Degiacomo DB |
Torrance, CA | El Camino College | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 190 lb (86 kg) | 4.57 | Dec 17, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Brandon Babineaux WR |
Folsom, CA | Folsom HS | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) | 200 lb (91 kg) | — | Feb 4, 2009 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Courtney Bridget DB |
Baltimore, MD | Dunbar HS | 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) | 185 lb (84 kg) | 4.5 | Dec 16, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Mark Barefield WR |
Mesquite, TX | North Mesquite HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | — | Sep 29, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Charles Childress DB |
Las Vegas, NV | Bishop Gorman HS | 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) | 182 lb (83 kg) | 4.59 | Nov 3, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Mike Grant DB |
Rocklin, CA | Sierra HS | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 4.5 | Oct 26, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Sidney Hodge DB |
Las Vegas, NV | Palo Verde HS | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | 162 lb (73 kg) | 4.47 | Feb 4, 2009 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Thomas Kilgore OL |
Fresno, CA | San Joaquin Memorial HS | 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) | 305 lb (138 kg) | — | Jan 28, 2009 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Andrew Mack OL |
Plano, TX | Plano West HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 290 lb (130 kg) | — | Nov 30, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Irshad Stolden WR |
Rancho Cucamonga, CA | Rancho Cucamonga HS | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | — | Jan 18, 2009 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Marcus Sullivan RB |
North Las Vegas, NV | Cheyenne HS | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) | 162 lb (73 kg) | 4.55 | Dec 11, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| John Therell DB |
Las Vegas, NV | Bishop Gorman HS | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 170 lb (77 kg) | – | Dec 15, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Reggie Umuolo LB |
Peoria, AZ | Centennial HS | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | 195 lb (88 kg) | 4.7 | Jun 26, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Robert Waterman OL |
Stevenson Ranch, CA | Vista Ranch HS | 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) | 275 lb (125 kg) | — | Feb 4, 2009 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Warren Ziegler DB |
San Mateo, CA | College of San Mateo | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | 180 lb (82 kg) | 4.4 | Nov 30, 2008 |
| Recruit ratings: Scout: Rivals: | ||||||
| Overall recruit ranking: | ||||||
Sources:
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