2009 UNLV Rebels football team

Schedule

|{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = l |{{CFB schedule entry | w/l = w

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. 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. 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." 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.

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. 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. Wolfe entered the season only 50 receptions and 900 yards away from breaking the conference's career receptions and receiving yards records. Wolfe and senior linebacker Jason Beauchamp were both named to the All-MWC preseason team.

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.

Game summaries

Sacramento State

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

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.

Oregon State

Hawai'i

Wyoming

Nevada

BYU

Utah

New Mexico

TCU

Colorado State

Air Force

San Diego State

Personnel

Recruiting

References

References

1. Associated Press, [http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/collegesports/2010284632_grid17.html College football. Tennessee coach Lane Kiffin dismisses 2 players] {{webarchive. link. (November 20, 2009 , ''[[The Seattle Times]]'', November 16, 2009)
2. "Sacramento State Hornets vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN.
3. "Oregon State Beavers vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN.
4. "Hawaii Warriors vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN.
5. "UNLV Rebels vs. Wyoming Cowboys Box Score". ESPN.
6. "UNLV Rebels vs. Nevada Wolf Pack Box Score". ESPN.
7. "Brigham Young Cougrs vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score".
8. "Utah Utes vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN.
9. "UNLV Rebels vs. New Mexico Lobos Box Score". ESPN.
10. "UNLV Rebels vs. TCU Horned Frogs Box Score". ESPN.
11. "Colorado State Rams vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN.
12. "UNLV Rebels vs. Air Force Falcons Box Score". ESPN.
13. "San Diego Aztecs vs. UNLV Rebels Box Score". ESPN.com.
14. . ["UNLV Rebels Schedule 2009"](https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/schedule/_/id/2439/season/2009). *[[ESPN]]*.
15. . ["2009 UNLV Rebels Schedule and Results"](https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/nevada-las-vegas/2009-schedule.html). *[[Sports Reference]]*.
16. . ["2009 Football Schedule"](https://unlvrebels.com/sports/football/schedule/2009). *[[University of Nevada, Las Vegas]]*.
17. Greene, Ryan. (July 21, 2009). "UNLV picked fifth in MWC preseason football poll". [[Las Vegas Sun]].
18. Greene, Ryan. (August 6, 2009). "UNLV football notebook: ESPN mention begins exciting morning for Rebels". [[Las Vegas Sun]].
19. Staff. (August 6, 2009). "ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. taps UNLV football as a sleeper in 2009". [[Las Vegas Sun]].
20. Myerberg, Paul. (June 9, 2009). "The Quad Countdown: No. 84 UNLV". The New York Times.
21. "2009 Mountain West Conference Media Days". Bleacher Report.
22. Greene, Ryan. (August 11, 2009). "Wolfe one of 37 on Biletnikoff Watch List". [[Las Vegas Sun]].
23. Greene, Ryan. (July 22, 2009). "Rebels not satisfied despite praise in preseason poll". [[Las Vegas Sun]].
24. Greene, Ryan. (July 28, 2009). "UNLV linebacker Bryce Saldi remains hospitalized in California". [[Las Vegas Sun]].
25. Magruder, Jack. (September 6, 2009). "Dailey shines in Sac State's loss". [[Sacramento Bee]].
26. Greene, Ryan. (September 6, 2009). "Rebels slam door on Hornets with huge second half, 38-3". [[Las Vegas Sun]].