What Is 2009 Nevada Wolf Pack football

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2009 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in the 2009 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with a 13–1 record and winning the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship under head coach Chris Ault.

Key Facts

The 2009 Nevada Wolf Pack finished the season with a 13–1 record, their best in school history.
They won the 2009 Western Athletic Conference (WAC) championship with a 7–1 conference record.
Quarterback Colin Kaepernick threw for 3,392 yards and rushed for 1,149 yards during the season.
Nevada defeated Boston College 20–13 in the 2009 Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.
Head coach Chris Ault returned from retirement to lead the team in 2004 and retired after 2012.

Overview

The 2009 Nevada Wolf Pack football season marked one of the most successful campaigns in University of Nevada, Reno history. Competing in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS), the team achieved a program-best 13–1 record under head coach Chris Ault, capturing the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) title.

With a high-powered offense led by dual-threat quarterback Colin Kaepernick, Nevada dominated both offensively and defensively. The season culminated in a victory in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl, solidifying the team’s national relevance.

13–1 final record: The Wolf Pack set a school record for wins in a season, surpassing previous marks set in 2005 and 2007.
WAC Champions: Nevada claimed the 2009 WAC title with a decisive 7–1 conference record, edging out Boise State on tiebreakers.
Colin Kaepernick’s breakout season: Kaepernick threw for 3,392 yards and rushed for 1,149 yards, becoming the first FBS player with 3,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards in a season.
Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl victory: On December 26, 2009, Nevada defeated Boston College 20–13 in San Francisco, finishing ranked 12th in the final AP Poll.
Home dominance: The team went 7–0 at Mackay Stadium, drawing an average of over 27,000 fans per game.

How It Works

The success of the 2009 Nevada Wolf Pack stemmed from a combination of innovative coaching, a dynamic offense, and disciplined execution. The team’s strategy centered around the Pistol offense, a system developed by head coach Chris Ault.

Pistol Offense:Developed by Chris Ault in 2004, this formation features the quarterback in a short shotgun with a running back directly behind, enabling both run and pass efficiency.
Colin Kaepernick’s dual-threat role: Kaepernick lined up in the Pistol and used his 6'4", 220-pound frame to gain over 4,500 total yards in 2009.
Defensive coordination: Defensive coordinator Mike Crawford led a unit that held opponents to 16.7 points per game, ranking among the nation’s best.
Non-conference scheduling: Early wins over California (35–31) and Maryland (21–20) gave Nevada national exposure and confidence.
WAC competition: The Wolf Pack defeated key rivals Fresno State (49–36) and Hawaii (50–21) to clinch the conference title.
Bowl preparation: The team spent three weeks preparing for Boston College, focusing on conditioning and film study before winning the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2009 Nevada Wolf Pack compared to other top mid-major teams of the era:

Team	Record	Conference	Bowl Result	Final AP Rank
Nevada Wolf Pack	13–1	WAC	W 20–13 vs. Boston College	12
Boise State	14–0	WAC	W 17–10 vs. TCU (Poinsettia Bowl)	6
Texas Christian (TCU)	12–1	Mountain West	L 17–10 vs. Boise State	10
Cincinnati	12–1	Big East	L 20–7 vs. Florida (Sugar Bowl)	7
Central Florida	10–4	Conference USA	W 44–25 vs. Georgia (Liberty Bowl)	Unranked

The 2009 season highlighted the growing competitiveness of non-Power Five programs. Nevada’s 12th-place finish in the AP Poll was the highest in school history, reflecting national recognition for sustained excellence. While Boise State finished higher, Nevada’s win over a Power Five team (California) and bowl victory gave them a strong claim as one of the top mid-majors.

Why It Matters

The 2009 Nevada Wolf Pack season had lasting implications for college football, particularly for programs outside the traditional power conferences. It demonstrated that innovative coaching and player development could compete with established programs.

National recognition: Finishing 12th in the AP Poll elevated Nevada’s national profile and boosted recruiting.
Pistol offense legacy: The success popularized the Pistol formation, later adopted by teams like Stanford and the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens.
Colin Kaepernick’s rise: His performance launched a professional career, eventually leading to the NFL and cultural prominence.
Mid-major credibility: The season reinforced that teams outside the Power Five could achieve elite status with the right strategy.
Program momentum: Nevada remained competitive in the WAC and later the Mountain West, building on 2009’s success.
Community pride: The season united Reno and alumni, with record attendance and local media coverage.

The 2009 campaign remains a benchmark for Nevada football, symbolizing peak performance and national relevance for a program once considered a regional contender.