The 2009 UNLV Rebels football team was the 42nd varsity football team to represent the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The Rebels play in the Mountain West Conference, and compete each season against the remaining eight members of the conference and one permanent interstate rival: UNR. In 2009, UNLV also played non-conference games at home against Sacramento State, Oregon State and Hawai'i. Mike Sanford entered his fifth and final season as UNLV's head coach and the Rebels played their home games at Sam Boyd Stadium in East Las Vegas, Nevada
In November, head coach Mike Sanford was fired after five losing seasons, a 16-43 record and no bowl appearances. He won his last game as head coach against San Diego State on November 28, 2009, 28-24, with a fourth quarter comeback.[1]
[edit] Pre-season
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.[2] 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.[3] 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."[4] 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 birth since their 2000 Las Vegas Bowl victory against Arkansas.[5]
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.[6] 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.[7] Wolfe enters the season only 50 receptions and 900 yards away from breaking the conference's career receptions and receiving yards records.[5] Wolfe and senior linebacker Jason Beauchamp were both named to the All-MWC preseason team.[8]
On July 3, 2009, 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. There has been no word on a timetable for Saldi's return.[9]
[edit] Key Losses
The following are some of the key players who will be no longer eligible to play in the 2009 season:
|
Offense:
- Johan Asiata (OL)
- Casey Flair (WR)
- Dack Ishii (QB)
- Mario Jeberaeel (OL)
- Sifa Moala (OL)
- David Peeples (RB)
- Richie Plunkett (OL)
- Gerold Rodriguez (WR)
- Renan Saint Preux (WR)
- Frank Summers (RB)
- Ryan Worthen (TE)
|
Defense:
- Lorenzo Bursey, Jr. (DB)
- George Fa'avae (DL)
- Jacob Hales (DL)
- Geoffery Howard (DB)
- Thor Pili (DE)
- Rusty Worthen (LB)
|
[edit] Recruiting
| 2009 Recruits |
| Name |
Hometown |
High school / college |
Height |
Weight |
40‡ |
Commit date |
Jordan Barrett
LB |
Sherman Oaks, CA |
Notre Dame HS |
6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
225 lb (102 kg) |
4.7 |
Jan 28, 2009 |
Scout: Rivals: |
B.J. Bell
DE |
Santa Ana, CA |
Santa Ana College |
6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
245 lb (111 kg) |
4.65 |
Jan 9, 2009 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Caleb Herring
QB |
Perris, CA |
Citrus Hills HS |
6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
180 lb (82 kg) |
4.75 |
Jun 5, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Bradley Randle
RB |
Murrieta, CA |
Vista Murrieta HS |
5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
190 lb (86 kg) |
4.40 |
Nov 25, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Nathan Holloway
DT |
Las Vegas, NV |
Spring Valley HS |
6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
332 lb (151 kg) |
5.36 |
Dec 7, 2008 |
Scout: Rivals: |
Doug Zismann
OL |
Phoenix, AZ |
Shadow Mountain HS |
6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
265 lb (120 kg) |
5.3 |
Nov 1, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Kenny Brown
DB |
Santa Clarita, CA |
College of the Canyons |
6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
180 lb (82 kg) |
— |
Dec 16, 2008 |
Scout: Rivals: |
Alex Degiacomo
DB |
Torrance, CA |
El Camino College |
6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
190 lb (86 kg) |
4.57 |
Dec 17, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Brandon Babineaux
WR |
Folsom, CA |
Folsom HS |
6 ft 4 in (193 cm) |
200 lb (91 kg) |
— |
Feb 4, 2009 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Courtney Bridget
DB |
Baltimore, MD |
Dunbar HS |
6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
185 lb (84 kg) |
4.5 |
Dec 16, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Mark Barefield
WR |
Mesquite, TX |
North Mesquite HS |
6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
180 lb (82 kg) |
— |
Sep 29, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Charles Childress
DB |
Las Vegas, NV |
Bishop Gorman HS |
6 ft 0 in (183 cm) |
182 lb (83 kg) |
4.59 |
Nov 3, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Mike Grant
DB |
Rocklin, CA |
Sierra HS |
5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
180 lb (82 kg) |
4.5 |
Oct 26, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Sidney Hodge
DB |
Las Vegas, NV |
Palo Verde HS |
5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
162 lb (73 kg) |
4.47 |
Feb 4, 2009 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Thomas Kilgore
OL |
Fresno, CA |
San Joaquin Memorial HS |
6 ft 5 in (196 cm) |
305 lb (138 kg) |
— |
Jan 28, 2009 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Andrew Mack
OL |
Plano, TX |
Plano West HS |
6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
290 lb (130 kg) |
— |
Nov 30, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Irshad Stolden
WR |
Rancho Cucamonga, CA |
Rancho Cucamonga HS |
5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
180 lb (82 kg) |
— |
Jan 18, 2009 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Marcus Sullivan
RB |
North Las Vegas, NV |
Cheyenne HS |
5 ft 8 in (173 cm) |
162 lb (73 kg) |
4.55 |
Dec 11, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
John Therell
DB |
Las Vegas, NV |
Bishop Gorman HS |
6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
170 lb (77 kg) |
– |
Dec 15, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Reggie Umuolo
LB |
Peoria, AZ |
Centennial HS |
5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
195 lb (88 kg) |
4.7 |
Jun 26, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Robert Waterman
OL |
Stevenson Ranch, CA |
Vista Ranch HS |
6 ft 2 in (188 cm) |
275 lb (125 kg) |
— |
Feb 4, 2009 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
Warren Ziegler
DB |
San Mateo, CA |
College of San Mateo |
6 ft 1 in (185 cm) |
180 lb (82 kg) |
4.4 |
Nov 30, 2008 |
| Scout: Rivals: |
| Overall recruiting rankings: |
- ‡ Refers to 40 yard dash
- Note: In many cases, Scout and Rivals may conflict in their listings of height, weight and 40 time.
- In these cases, an average of the two was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.
Sources:
|
|
[edit] Schedule
| Date |
Time |
Opponent# |
Rank# |
Site |
TV |
Result |
Attendance |
| September 5 |
7:00pm |
Sacramento State* |
|
Sam Boyd Stadium • Las Vegas, NV |
|
W 38–3 |
22,195[10] |
| September 12 |
8:00pm |
#24 Oregon State* |
|
Sam Boyd Stadium • Las Vegas, NV |
CBS C |
L 21–23 |
25,967[11] |
| September 19 |
8:00pm |
Hawai'i* |
|
Sam Boyd Stadium • Las Vegas, NV |
The Mtn., CBS C |
W 34–33 |
29,717[12] |
| September 26 |
12:00pm |
at Wyoming |
|
War Memorial Stadium • Laramie, WY |
|
L 27–30 |
19,196[13] |
| October 3 |
1:00pm |
at Nevada* |
|
Mackay Stadium • Reno, NV (Battle for Nevada) |
|
L 28–63 |
24,078[14] |
| October 10 |
7:00pm |
#20 BYU |
|
Sam Boyd Stadium • Las Vegas, NV |
The Mtn. |
L 21–59 |
25,597[15] |
| October 17 |
7:00pm |
#24 Utah |
|
Sam Boyd Stadium • Las Vegas, NV |
The Mtn. |
L 15–35 |
26,315[16] |
| October 24 |
5:00pm |
at New Mexico |
|
University Stadium • Albuquerque, NM |
The Mtn. |
W 34–17 |
24,021[17] |
| October 31 |
1:00pm |
at #6 TCU |
|
Amon G. Carter Stadium • Fort Worth, TX |
VERSUS |
L 0–41 |
33,541[18] |
| November 7 |
7:00pm |
Colorado State |
|
Sam Boyd Stadium • Las Vegas, NV |
The Mtn. |
W 35–16 |
15,902[19] |
| November 14 |
3:00pm |
at Air Force |
|
Falcon Stadium • Colorado Springs, CO |
The Mtn. |
L 17–45 |
25,370[20] |
| November 28 |
6:00pm |
San Diego State |
|
Sam Boyd Stadium • Las Vegas, NV |
The Mtn. |
W 28–24 |
13,730[21] |
*Non-conference game.  Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Pacific Time. |
Sources:[22]
[edit] Game notes
[edit] 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 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 would get their only points of the game on a 44 yard field goal by Hornets' kicker Chris Diniz[23]
In the second half, the Rebels would explode on offense, starting with another 1 yard touchdown run by Trotter late in the third quarter. Trotter would score his third one yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter to push the Rebels lead to 24–3. The Rebels increased their lead mid-way 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.[24]
[edit] Oregon State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Beavers |
0 |
6 |
14 |
3 |
23 |
| Rebels |
0 |
0 |
7 |
14 |
21 |
[edit] Hawai'i
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Warriors |
10 |
10 |
0 |
13 |
33 |
| Rebels |
7 |
7 |
7 |
13 |
34 |
[edit] Wyoming
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Rebels |
7 |
6 |
7 |
7 |
27 |
| Cowboys |
3 |
10 |
7 |
10 |
30 |
[edit] Nevada
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Rebels |
0 |
21 |
7 |
0 |
28 |
| Wolf Pack |
14 |
7 |
14 |
28 |
63 |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Cougars |
10 |
14 |
21 |
14 |
59 |
| Rebels |
0 |
7 |
7 |
7 |
21 |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Utes |
7 |
21 |
0 |
7 |
35 |
| Rebels |
3 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
15 |
[edit] New Mexico
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Rebels |
14 |
7 |
3 |
10 |
34 |
| Lobos |
0 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
17 |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Rebels |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Horned Frogs |
10 |
10 |
7 |
14 |
41 |
[edit] Colorado State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Rams |
0 |
7 |
3 |
6 |
16 |
| Rebels |
0 |
14 |
7 |
14 |
35 |
[edit] Air Force
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Rebels |
0 |
3 |
7 |
7 |
17 |
| Falcons |
7 |
17 |
7 |
14 |
45 |
[edit] San Diego State
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
Total |
| Aztecs |
14 |
7 |
3 |
0 |
24 |
| Rebels |
7 |
0 |
0 |
21 |
28 |
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Associated Press, College football | Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin dismisses 2 players, Seattletimes.nwsource.com, November 16, 2009
- ^ Greene, Ryan (July 21, 2009). "UNLV picked fifth in MWC preseason football poll". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on 2009-08-16. http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/sports-unlv/2009/jul/21/unlv-picked-fifth-mwc-preseason-football-poll/. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ Greene, Ryan (August 6, 2009). "UNLV football notebook:ESPN mention begins exciting morning for Rebels". Las Vegas Sun. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/aug/06/unlv-football-notebook-espn-mention-begins-excitin/. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
- ^ Staff (August 6, 2009). "ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. taps UNLV football as a sleeper in 2009". Las Vegas Sun. http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/elsewhere/2009/aug/06/espns-mel-kiper-jr-taps-unlv-football-sleeper-2009/. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
- ^ a b Myerberg, Paul (June 9, 2009). "The Quad Countdown: No. 84 UNLV". New York Times. http://thequad.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/09/the-quad-countdown-no-84-nevada-las-vegas/. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
- ^ "2009 Mountain West Conference Media Days". Bleacher Report. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/219103-2009-mountain-west-conference-media-days/page/2. Retrieved August 8, 2009. . Accessed 2009-08-12. Archived 2009-08-16.
- ^ Greene, Ryan (August 11, 2009). "Wolfe on of 37 on Biletnikoff Watch List". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on 2009-08-16. http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/sports-unlv/2009/aug/11/wolfe-one-37-biletnikoff-watch-list/. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ Greene, Ryan (July 22, 2009). "Rebels not satisfied despite praise in preseason poll". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on 2009-08-16. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/jul/22/rebels-not-satisfied-despite-high-praise-preseason/. Retrieved 2009-08-12.
- ^ Greene, Ryan (July 28, 2009). "UNLV linebacker Bryce Saldi remains hospitalized in California". Las Vegas Sun. http://www.lasvegassun.com/blogs/sports-unlv/2009/jul/28/unlv-linebacker-saldi-remains-hospitalized-califor/. Retrieved August 8, 2009.
- ^ "Sacramento State Hornets vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=292482439. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
- ^ "Oregon State Beavers vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=292552439. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
- ^ "Hawaii Warriors vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=292622439. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
- ^ "UNLV Rebels vs. Wyoming Cowboys Box Score". ESPN. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=292692751. Retrieved 2009-09-26.
- ^ "UNLV Rebels vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Box Score". ESPN. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=292762440. Retrieved 2009-10-12.
- ^ "Brigham Young Cougrs vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=292832439. Retrieved 2009-10-11.
- ^ "Utah Utes vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN. http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=292902439. Retrieved 2009-10-18.
- ^ "UNLV Rebels vs. New Mexico Lobos Box Score". ESPN. http://sports-ak.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=292970167. Retrieved 2009-10-24.
- ^ "UNLV Rebels vs. TCU Horned Frogs Box Score". ESPN. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=293042628. Retrieved 2009-10-31.
- ^ "Colorado State Rams vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=293112439. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
- ^ "UNLV Rebels vs. Air Force Falcons Box Score". ESPN. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=293182005. Retrieved 2009-11-15.
- ^ "San Diego Aztecs vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com. http://espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=293322439. Retrieved 2010-01-12.
- ^ UNLV Rebels 2009 Football Schedule, National Champs.net, accessed 24 March 2009. Archived 2009-08-16.
- ^ Magruder, Jack (September 6, 2009). "Dailey shines in Sac State's loss". Sacramento Bee. Archived from the original on 2009-09-09. http://www.sacbee.com/395/story/2163866.html. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
- ^ Greene, Ryan (September 6, 2009). "Rebels slam door on Hornets with huge second half, 38-3". Las Vegas Sun. Archived from the original on 2009-09-09. http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/sep/06/rebels-slam-door-hornets-huge-second-half-38-3/. Retrieved 2009-09-07.
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Homecoming. #Rankings from Coaches' Poll released prior to game. All times are in Pacific Time.
