1979 Nevada Wolf Pack football team

American college football season August 2023 February 2026 1979 Nevada Wolf Pack football Big Sky Conference Big Sky 8–4 5–2 Chris Ault 4th John L. Smith 3rd Mackay Stadium NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal L 30–332OT vs. Eastern Kentucky The 1979 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno as a member of the Big Sky Conference during the 1979 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Chris Ault, the Wolf Pack compiled an overall record of 8–4 with a mark of 5–2 in conference play, placing third in the Big Sky. Nevada advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, where the Wolf Pack lost in the semifinals to the eventual national champion, Eastern Kentucky. The team played home games at Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nevada. Schedule 1979 NCAA Division I-AA Associated Press Pacific September 8 w Idaho State Mackay Stadium Reno, NV 24–6 11,766 https://www.newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal-hawkins-sets-rushin/155167131/ Nevada State Journal Hawkins sets rushing record in 24–6 victory September 9, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com September 15 l y UNLV Mackay Stadium Reno, NV Fremont Cannon 21–26 12,751 https://www.newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal-rebels-win-cannon/155167230/ Nevada State Journal Rebels win Cannon September 16, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com September 22 w y y T–10 UC Davis Toomey Field Davis, CA 28–21 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-sacramento-bee-unreno-overcomes-ucd/155167451/ The Sacramento Bee UN–Reno overcomes UCD 28–21 September 23, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com October 6 w y 10 1979 Simon Fraser Clan Simon Fraser Mackay Stadium Reno, NV 35–10 9,425 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-province-wolfpack-devours-clansmen/155167564/ The Province Wolfpack devours Clansmen October 7, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com October 13 l T–8 Montana State Mackay Stadium Reno, NV 10–12 9,215 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-arizona-republic-montana-state-nips/155166618/ The Arizona Republic Montana State nips Nevada–Reno October 14, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com October 20 w y Weber State Wildcat Stadium Ogden, UT 22–3 9,362 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-nevadareno-coasts-t/155167669/ The Idaho Statesman Nevada–Reno coasts to victory October 21, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com October 27 w y Montana Dornblaser Field Missoula, MT 27–20 5,163 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-inter-lake-nevadareno-stops-g/155167833/ The Daily Inter Lake Nevada–Reno stops Grizzlies October 28, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com November 3 w y Idaho Kibbie Dome Moscow, ID 38–26 5,500 https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=cspeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=5592%2C981026 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Killen John Vandals November 3, 1979 1Chttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=c8peAAAAIBAJ&sjid=hjIMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3548%2C1367070 Lewiston Morning Tribune Idaho Emerson Paul High rollers November 4, 1979 8D November 10 l T–10 Boise State Mackay Stadium Reno, NV rivalry 27–28 14,256 https://www.newspapers.com/article/nevada-state-journal/136117637/ Nevada State Journal Wolf Pack gamblers crap out November 11, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com November 17 w y 8 1979 Missouri Southern Lions Missouri Southern Mackay Stadium Reno, NV 32–6 7,020 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-grand-island-independent-nevadareno/155168062/ The Grand Island Independent Nevada–Reno rips Missouri Southern November 18, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com November 24 w y T–7 Northern Arizona T–7 NAU Skydome Flagstaff, AZ 31–7 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-billings-gazette-hawkins-gives-nau-t/155168196/ The Billings Gazette Hawkins gives NAU the axe November 25, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com December 8 l y y 5 Eastern Kentucky 3 Hanger Field Richmond, KY NCAA Division I-AA Semifinal 30–33 2OT 5,100 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-journal-flores-overtime-kic/155168314/ The Courier-Journal Flores' overtime kick helps Eastern nip Reno December 9, 1979 September 12, 2024 Newspapers.com 1979 Football Schedule https://nevadawolfpack.com/sports/football/schedule/1979 Nevada Wolf Pack Athletics December 24, 2025 2025 Nevada Football Record Book https://nevadawolfpack.com/documents/2025/7/31/2025_Nevada_Football_Record_Book.pdf Nevada Wolf Pack Athletics 33 December 24, 2025 Roster y Nevada Wolf Pack 1979 QB 12 Larry Wortman SR RB 27 Frank Hawkins JR y OL 78 Eric Sanders JR Eric Sanders (American football player) y DT 77 Don Smerek SR y DE 83 Charles Mann FR Charles Mann (American football) y Chris Ault References Nevada Category:Nevada Wolf Pack football seasons Nevada Wolf Pack football Nevada