What Is 2011 Nevada Wolf Pack football team

Overview

The 2011 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in the 2011 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Led by head coach Chris Ault, who returned from retirement to reclaim the head coaching role, the team competed in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) and played their home games at Mackay Stadium in Reno.

This season marked a transitional year for the program, as the team adjusted to a new offensive scheme and leadership changes. Despite a modest 7–6 final record, the Wolf Pack secured a bowl berth, highlighting continued competitiveness in a challenging conference landscape.

• Chris Ault returned as head coach after coming out of retirement, bringing over three decades of prior experience leading the program and revolutionizing the spread offense.
• The team finished the regular season with a 7–5 record, earning a spot in the Kraft Fight Hunger Bowl on December 31, 2011.
• Nevada played in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), which was in its final years before dissolving several member schools, including Nevada, moved to the Mountain West.
• Home games were held at Mackay Stadium, a 30,000-seat venue located on the university’s campus in Reno, known for its high-altitude conditions affecting visiting teams.
• The season concluded with a 20–13 loss to Boston College in San Francisco, marking the Wolf Pack’s third consecutive bowl appearance under Ault’s leadership.

Season Performance

The 2011 campaign featured a mix of offensive innovation and defensive struggles, reflecting the evolving identity of the program under Ault’s renewed leadership. While the team showed flashes of dominance, inconsistency against stronger opponents limited their overall success.

• Colin Kaepernick’s departure in 2010 left big shoes to fill; his successor, Carson Strong did not yet play—the 2011 starter was actually Stepfan Taylor, though confusion persisted early in the season.
• The offense averaged 33.5 points per game, powered by a balanced attack that included both the run and pass, though not at the elite level seen in previous seasons.
• Defensively, the Wolf Pack allowed 27.8 points per game, struggling particularly in late-game situations and against mobile quarterbacks.
• One of the season’s highlights was a 37–34 overtime victory against Louisiana Tech, a key WAC matchup that kept bowl hopes alive.
• The team’s 4–3 conference record placed them in the middle of the WAC standings, behind powerhouses like Boise State (before its departure) and Hawaii.
• Running back Kody Smart emerged as a key offensive contributor, rushing for 738 yards and 7 touchdowns on the season.

Comparison at a Glance

How the 2011 Nevada Wolf Pack compared to recent seasons in key statistical categories:

The 2011 season represented a clear step down from the historic 13–1 campaign in 2010, which was led by star quarterback Colin Kaepernick. While Nevada maintained bowl eligibility, the drop in offensive production and conference performance signaled a rebuilding phase as the program transitioned into a new era.

Why It Matters

The 2011 season was significant as a bridge between eras for Nevada football—closing the Kaepernick chapter and setting the foundation for future growth. Though less dominant, the team maintained national relevance through its bowl appearance and coaching legacy.

• Coach Chris Ault’s return underscored his enduring influence on college football, especially his pioneering of the Pistol offense used by programs nationwide.
• The season highlighted the difficulty of replacing a once-in-a-generation player like Colin Kaepernick, whose NFL departure left a major void.
• Remaining bowl-eligible for the third straight year demonstrated program stability despite coaching changes and roster turnover.
• Nevada’s continued membership in the WAC during its decline kept the team visible before the eventual move to the Mountain West Conference in 2012.
• The team’s performance emphasized the importance of depth and development in maintaining success after losing key senior leaders.
• Games like the overtime win over Louisiana Tech provided memorable moments for fans and helped sustain interest during a rebuilding year.

In retrospect, the 2011 Nevada Wolf Pack season was a modest but necessary chapter in the program’s evolution, preserving momentum even as it navigated a post-Kaepernick reality.