# 2012 Nevada Wolf Pack football team

The 2012 Nevada Wolf Pack football team represented the University of Nevada, Reno in the 2012 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolf Pack were led by Chris Ault in his 28th overall and 9th straight season since taking over as head coach for the third time in 2004 and later resigned from coaching at the end of the season. They played their home games at Mackay Stadium and were first–year members of the Mountain West Conference. They finished the season 7–6 and 4–4 in Mountain West play to finish in fifth place. They were invited to the New Mexico Bowl where they lost to Arizona.

## Preseason
### Mountain West media days

The Mountain West media days were held on July 24–26, 2012, at the Cosmopolitan in Paradise, Nevada.

### Media poll

The preseason poll was released on July 24, 2012. The Wolf Pack were predicted to finish in second place.
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Boise State | 296 (27) |
| 2 | Nevada | 244 |
| 3 | Fresno State | 231 (2) |
| 4 | Wyoming | 213 |
| 5 | San Diego State | 173 (1) |
| 6 | Air Force | 170 |
| 7 | Hawaii | 116 |
| 8 | Colorado State | 111 |
| 9 | UNLV | 63 |
| 10 | New Mexico | 33 |

### Preseason All–Mountain West Team

The Wolf Pack had four players selected to the preseason All–Mountain West Team; three from the offense and one from the defense.

## Schedule

| Date | Time | Opponent | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 1 | 12:00 p.m. | at California* | California Memorial StadiumBerkeley, CA | P12N | W 31–24 | 63,186 |
| September 8 | 12:30 p.m. | South Florida* | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | CBSSN | L 31–32 | 22,804 |
| September 15 | 4:00 p.m. | Northwestern State (Div. I FCS)* | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | | W 45–34 | 19,399 |
| September 22 | 7:30 p.m. | at Hawaii | Aloha StadiumHalawa, HI | NBCSN | W 69–24 | 31,417 |
| September 29 | 11:00 a.m. | at Texas State* | Bobcat StadiumSan Marcos, TX | LHN | W 34–21 | 14,210 |
| October 6 | 4:00 p.m. | Wyoming | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | Campus Insiders | W 35–28 $^{OT}$ | 24,025 |
| October 13 | 12:00 p.m. | at UNLV | Sam Boyd StadiumWhitney, NV (Battle for the Fremont Cannon / Governor's Series) | TWCSN/Charter | W 42–37 | 20,565 |
| October 20 | 7:30 p.m. | San Diego State | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | CBSSN | L 38–39 $^{OT}$ | 22,242 |
| October 26 | 5:00 p.m. | at Air Force | Falcon StadiumColorado Springs, CO | CBSSN | L 31–48 | 24,277 |
| November 10 | 7:30 p.m. | Fresno State | Mackay StadiumReno, NV | NBCSN | L 36–52 | 22,104 |
| November 17 | 12:30 p.m. | at New Mexico | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM (Battle of the Wolves) | Charter/Comcast | W 31–24 | 17,290 |
| December 1 | 12:30 p.m. | No. 25 Boise State | Mackay StadiumReno, NV (rivalry) | ABC | L 21–27 | 30,017 |
| December 15 | 10:00 a.m. | vs. Arizona* | University StadiumAlbuquerque, NM (New Mexico Bowl) | ESPN | L 48–49 | 24,610 |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll released prior to the gameAll times are in Pacific time |||||||

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Coaches | — | RV | RV | — | — | — | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Harris | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | RV | RV | RV | — | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |
| BCS | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Not released |

## Game summaries
### At California

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Wolf Pack | 14 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 31 |
| Golden Bears | 0 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| N/A | N/A |
| Statistics | Nevada | California |
| First downs | 27 | 21 |
| Total yards | 450 | 364 |
| Rushing yards | 220 | 113 |
| Passing yards | 230 | 251 |
| Turnovers | 7 | 5 |
| Time of possession | 35:06 | 24:54 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 25/32, 230 yards |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 34 carries, 147 yards, 3 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Brandon Wimberly | 7 receptions, 83 yards |
| California | Passing | Zach Maynard | 17/30, 245 yards, 2 TDs |
| California | Rushing | C. J. Anderson | 14 carries, 66 yards |
| California | Receiving | Keenan Allen | 6 receptions, 67 yards |

### South Florida

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bulls | 6 | 7 | 7 | 12 | 32 |
| Wolf Pack | 21 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| N/A | N/A |
| Statistics | South Florida | Nevada |
| First downs | 26 | 30 |
| Total yards | 572 | 549 |
| Rushing yards | 209 | 278 |
| Passing yards | 363 | 271 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 7 |
| Time of possession | 26:20 | 33:40 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Florida | Passing | B. J. Daniels | 22/40, 363 yards, 3 TDs |
| South Florida | Rushing | Lindsey Lamar | 8 carries, 85 yards, 1 TD |
| South Florida | Receiving | Andre Davis | 12 receptions, 191 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 27/38, 271 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 30 carries, 135 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | Zach Sudfeld | 5 receptions, 67 yards |

### Northwestern State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Demons (Div. I FCS) | 3 | 10 | 7 | 14 | 34 |
| • Wolf Pack | 7 | 10 | 14 | 14 | 45 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| N/A | N/A |
| Statistics | Northwestern State | Nevada |
| First downs | 31 | 37 |
| Total yards | 585 | 655 |
| Rushing yards | 228 | 418 |
| Passing yards | 357 | 237 |
| Turnovers | 5 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 31:52 | 28:08 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Northwestern State | Passing | Brad Henderson | 28/53, 357 yards, 2 TDs |
| Northwestern State | Rushing | Brad Henderson | 11 carries, 102 yards |
| Northwestern State | Receiving | Louis Hollier | 8 receptions, 107 yards |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 21/33, 237 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 27 carries, 247 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Brandon Wimberly | 8 receptions, 82 yards |

### At Hawaii

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Wolf Pack | 14 | 20 | 21 | 14 | 69 |
| Warriors | 3 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –7 | 61 |
| Statistics | Nevada | Hawaii |
| First downs | 30 | 20 |
| Total yards | 575 | 378 |
| Rushing yards | 355 | 144 |
| Passing yards | 220 | 234 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 28:03 | 31:57 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 14/20, 220 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 31 carries, 170 yards, 6 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Stefphon Jefferson | 3 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD |
| Hawaii | Passing | Sean Schroeder | 22/40, 234 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Hawaii | Rushing | Will Gregory | 16 carries, 92 yards, 1 TD |
| Hawaii | Receiving | Jeremiah Ostrowski | 7 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD |

### At Texas State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Wolf Pack | 7 | 13 | 14 | 0 | 34 |
| Bobcats | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –20 | 63 |
| Statistics | Nevada | Texas State |
| First downs | 31 | 18 |
| Total yards | 559 | 254 |
| Rushing yards | 273 | 68 |
| Passing yards | 286 | 186 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 33:45 | 26:15 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 21/34, 286 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 40 carries, 178 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | Brandon Wimberly | 6 receptions, 135 yards |
| Texas State | Passing | Shaun Rutherford | 15/22, 143 yards, 2 TDs |
| Texas State | Rushing | Marcus Curry | 8 receptions, 33 yards, 1 TD |
| Texas State | Receiving | Andy Erickson | 8 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD |

### Wyoming

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| Cowboys | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| • Wolf Pack | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 35 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –20 | 68 |
| Statistics | Wyoming | Nevada |
| First downs | 22 | 27 |
| Total yards | 350 | 565 |
| Rushing yards | 143 | 127 |
| Passing yards | 207 | 438 |
| Turnovers | 4 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 33:43 | 26:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Wyoming | Passing | Brett Smith | 21/34, 197 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Wyoming | Rushing | Brett Smith | 15 carries, 60 yards, 1 TD |
| Wyoming | Receiving | Dominic Rufran | 5 receptions, 43 yards |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 19/26, 221 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 23 carries, 78 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | Richy Turner | 7 receptions, 150 yards, 1 TD |

### At UNLV

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Wolf Pack | 0 | 14 | 7 | 21 | 42 |
| Rebels | 14 | 17 | 0 | 6 | 37 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –14 | 62 |
| Statistics | Nevada | UNLV |
| First downs | 33 | 26 |
| Total yards | 496 | 436 |
| Rushing yards | 329 | 193 |
| Passing yards | 167 | 243 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 31:40 | 28:20 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Devin Combs | 14/19, 167 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 34 carries, 185 yards, 3 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Richy Turner | 7 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD |
| UNLV | Passing | Nick Sherry | 21/35, 243 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| UNLV | Rushing | Tim Cornett | 20 carries, 129 yards, 1 TD |
| UNLV | Receiving | Marcus Sullivan | 5 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD |

### San Diego State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
| • Aztecs | 0 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 8 | 39 |
| Wolf Pack | 3 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 38 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –7 | 67 |
| Statistics | San Diego State | Nevada |
| First downs | 26 | 29 |
| Total yards | 349 | 480 |
| Rushing yards | 152 | 176 |
| Passing yards | 197 | 304 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:37 | 29:23 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| San Diego State | Passing | Adam Dingwell | 14/23, 177 yards, 3 TDs |
| San Diego State | Rushing | Walter Kazee | 15 carries, 58 yards, 1 TD |
| San Diego State | Receiving | Dominique Sandifer | 5 receptions, 60 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 29/40, 304 yards, 3 TDs |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 32 carries, 108 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Receiving | Brandon Wimberly | 10 receptions, 132 yards, 2 TDs |

### At Air Force

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 7 | 14 | 7 | 3 | 31 |
| • Falcons | 10 | 21 | 7 | 10 | 48 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –4 | 66 |
| Statistics | Nevada | Air Force |
| First downs | 21 | 36 |
| Total yards | 380 | 600 |
| Rushing yards | 169 | 461 |
| Passing yards | 211 | 139 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 5 |
| Time of possession | 25:23 | 34:37 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 15/27, 211 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 20 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Receiving | Zach Sudfeld | 6 receptions, 79 yards |
| Air Force | Passing | Connor Dietz | 6/7, 139 yards, 2 TDs |
| Air Force | Rushing | Wes Cobb | 30 carries, 152 yards, 1 TD |
| Air Force | Receiving | Donald Strickland | 2 receptions, 68 yards, 1 TD |

### Fresno State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Bulldogs | 7 | 14 | 23 | 8 | 52 |
| Wolf Pack | 7 | 14 | 0 | 15 | 36 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| FS –3.5 | 71 |
| Statistics | Fresno State | Nevada |
| First downs | 26 | 27 |
| Total yards | 500 | 404 |
| Rushing yards | 280 | 190 |
| Passing yards | 220 | 214 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 4 |
| Time of possession | 29:13 | 30:47 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Fresno State | Passing | Derek Carr | 17/35, 220 yards, 2 TDs |
| Fresno State | Rushing | Robbie Rouse | 36 carries, 261 yards, 2 TDs |
| Fresno State | Receiving | Davante Adams | 9 receptions, 120 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 21/39, 214 yards, 1 TD, 2 INTs |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 19 carries, 95 yards, 3 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Richy Turner | 6 receptions, 73 yards |

### At New Mexico

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • Wolf Pack | 7 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 31 |
| Lobos | 14 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NEV –10 | 65 |
| Statistics | Nevada | New Mexico |
| First downs | 22 | 14 |
| Total yards | 491 | 352 |
| Rushing yards | 358 | 352 |
| Passing yards | 133 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 29:40 | 30:20 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 18/27, 133 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT |
| Nevada | Rushing | Cody Fajardo | 20 carries, 186 yards |
| Nevada | Receiving | Zach Sudfeld | 3 receptions, 42 yards |
| New Mexico | Passing | Cole Gautsche | 0/2 |
| New Mexico | Rushing | Kasey Carrier | 18 carries, 145 yards |
| New Mexico | Receiving | N/A | N/A |

### Boise State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 25 Broncos | 7 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 27 |
| Wolf Pack | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 21 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| BSU –8 | 54 |
| Statistics | Boise State | Nevada |
| First downs | 22 | 23 |
| Total yards | 434 | 430 |
| Rushing yards | 215 | 227 |
| Passing yards | 219 | 203 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Time of possession | 32:44 | 27:16 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Boise State | Passing | Joe Southwick | 19/26, 199 yards, 2 TDs |
| Boise State | Rushing | D. J. Harper | 24 carries, 130 yards, 1 TD |
| Boise State | Receiving | Matt Miller | 7 receptions, 127 yards, 1 TD |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 14/20, 203 yards |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 28 carries, 139 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Zach Sudfeld | 3 receptions, 67 yards |

### Vs. Arizona (New Mexico Bowl)

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolf Pack | 21 | 10 | 14 | 3 | 48 |
| • Wildcats | 7 | 21 | 0 | 21 | 49 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| ARIZ –9 | 80 |
| Statistics | Nevada | Arizona |
| First downs | 39 | 31 |
| Total yards | 659 | 578 |
| Rushing yards | 403 | 196 |
| Passing yards | 256 | 382 |
| Turnovers | 6 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 39:10 | 20:50 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Nevada | Passing | Cody Fajardo | 22/31, 256 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Nevada | Rushing | Stefphon Jefferson | 34 carries, 180 yards, 2 TDs |
| Nevada | Receiving | Richy Turner | 6 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD |
| Arizona | Passing | Matt Scott | 28/47, 382 yards, 3 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Arizona | Rushing | Ka'Deem Carey | 28 carries, 172 yards, 3 TDs |
| Arizona | Receiving | Austin Hill | 8 receptions, 175 yards, 2 TDs |

## Players in the 2013 NFL Draft

| Player | Position | Round | Pick | NFL club |
| Duke Williams | DB | 4 | 105 | Buffalo Bills |
| Khalid Wooten | DB | 6 | 202 | Tennessee Titans |

## Team awards

The 2012 Team Awards were handed out December 9, 2012.
Golden Helmet Award (MVP)
* Albert Rosette, senior linebacker
Outstanding Offensive Player
* Stefphon Jefferson, junior running back
Outstanding Defensive Player
* Duke Williams, senior safety
Outstanding Special Teams Player
* Khalid Wooten, senior punt returner
Nevadatude Award (best representative of the beliefs and ideals of the program)
* Zach Sudfeld, senior tight end
Basalite Big Blocker (given the offensive lineman who grades out the best in victories)
* Matt Galas – UNLV
* Joel Bitonio – Northwestern State, Hawaii, Wyoming
* Jeff Nady – Cal, Texas State, New Mexico
Blackout Award (big hitter)
* Duke Williams, senior safety
Fireman's Award (stepping up in a time of need)
* Devin Combs, sophomore quarterback
Full-speed, Effort and Habit Awards (scout team players of the year)
* Offense: Chris Solomon, freshman running back
* Defense: Gabe Lee, sophomore defensive back