Editor’s note: Each episode of Wolf Pack All Access will include a “This Week in Wolf Pack History” feature. This week’s historic moment examines Nevada football winning its first bowl game in 49 seasons with a victory over Ball State in the 1996 Las Vegas Bowl. This feature is presented in partnership with Bradley, Drendel & Jeanney.
A year after Nevada football lost an overtime heartbreaker in the 1995 Las Vegas Bowl, the Wolf Pack returned to the same stadium with unfinished business. Playing in the Las Vegas Bowl for the second straight season, Nevada beat Ball State, 18-15, on Dec. 19, 1996 to record its first bowl win in 49 seasons. Damond Wilkins caught a pair of touchdowns and Damon Shea booted two field goals to account for all of Nevada’s scoring. But it was the Wolf Pack defense that was dominant, holding Ball State to 218 yards on 67 plays. The game’s MVP was linebacker Mike Crawford, who had 14 tackles, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble. Crawford remains one of just three defensive players to win MVP honors in 32 Las Vegas Bowls as Nevada recorded the second of its seven bowl victories in program history.
You can watch the full video feature at the top of this page.
