UNLV
Rebels
2008 Recruiting Class
Star of the Class
David
Blair 6-2 220 LB Tempe,
Ariz. (McClintock HS)
A fast but powerful linebacker who could see
immediate playing time for the Rebels this fall...Ranked the No. 16 middle
linebacker recruit in the nation by Scout and No. 55 ILB by ESPN Insider...One
of four UNLV signees from the Grand Canyon State this year...A PrepStar West
Coast All-Region honoree from McClintock HS...Starred for three years as a
big-hitter on both sides of the ball for coach Steve Campbell and then coach
Mike Gibbons...Named all-region all three seasons, all-city the last two seasons
and to the Arizona Republic's All-Arizona High School Football Team as a
senior...Ranked the state's No. 1 LB heading into senior campaign during which
he registered 146 total tackles, including two 20-takedown nights to go with 4.5
QB sacks...Also lined up at FB for the Chargers and rushed for 125 yards on 26
carries in 2007...As a junior finished with 120 tackles and 106 yards
rushing...Had 132 tackles as a sophomore...Has squatted over 475 pounds and
power-cleaned more then 320...Chose the Rebels over San Diego State and Army.
Potential Instant Impact Players
C.J. Cox
5-11 190 RB Garland,
Texas (North Garland HS)
A talented two-way player who will begin his
collegiate career in the Rebel backfield...Ranked as the No. 76 safety prospect
in the nation by Scout...Prepped at North Garland HS in the football hotbed of
Texas...One of four recruits from the Lone Star State to ink with the
Rebels...Hails from the same city as current UNLV DB Michael Johnson...Lettered
three years for the Raiders...Rushed for 450 yards and four TDs and recorded 70
tackles and forced two fumbles as a safety his senior season...Made 81 tackles,
picked off two passes and forced three fumbles as a junior.
Sean
Tesoro 6-2 290 OL Kahului,
Hawaii (Baldwin HS)
A talented offensive lineman who was a PrepStar West Coast All-Region
honoree...One of two Hawaiians to sign with the Rebels this year...Ranked the
No. 56 OG prospect in the nation by ESPN Insider and No. 56 by Scout...A
three-year letterwinner at Baldwin HS under coach Jimmy Morimoto, who is now an
assistant video coordinator at UNLV...In his three varsity seasons the Bears had
a combined record of 30-4-1, with three of those losses coming in state
semifinal games...Named a first team Maui Interscholastic League All-Star as a
senior...Ranked the 58th-best offensive guard in the country by Scout.com.
Rest of the Class
| Jesse
Backerman |
6-3
|
230
|
DE
|
Tucson,
Ariz (Marana HS) |
| Beau
Brence |
6-4
|
235
|
DE
|
Plano,
Texas (Plano Senior HS) |
| Gordy
Cooper |
6-5
|
215
|
WR
|
San
Jacinto, Calif. (San Jacinto HS) |
| Jason
Heath |
6-4
|
265
|
OL
|
Penryn,
Calif. (Del Oro HS) |
| Michael
Johnson |
5-8
|
170
|
ATH
|
Suisun,
Calif. (Rodriguez HS) |
| Chris
Jones |
6-3
|
190
|
QB
|
Las Vegas,
Nev. (Shadow Ridge HS) |
| Daniel
Kaanana |
6-5
|
270
|
OL
|
Pearl
City, Hawaii (Kamehameha HS) |
| Jason
Koontz |
6-2
|
295
|
OL
|
Corona,
Calif. (Santiago HS) |
| Heivaha
Mafi* |
6-2
|
235
|
DE
|
Oakland,
Calif. (Laney College) |
| Litani
Moimoi |
6-3
|
270
|
DT
|
Menlo
Park, Calif. (Menlo-Atherton HS) |
| Beau Orth
|
6-1
|
200
|
WR
|
Las Vegas,
Nev. (Bishop Gorman HS) |
| Phillip
Payne |
6-3
|
185
|
WR
|
Las Vegas,
Nev. (Western HS) |
| Robert
Rowe |
6-2
|
195
|
ATH
|
Tucson,
Ariz. (Marana HS) |
| Bennielee
Shelby |
6-3
|
260
|
DL
|
Greenville, Texas (Greenville HS) |
| Gerome
Surrell |
5-11
|
200
|
WR
|
Lathrop,
Calif. (St. Mary's HS) |
| Imari
Thompson |
5-9
|
195
|
RB
|
DeSoto,
Texas (Cedar Hill HS) |
| Travis
Trickey |
6-3
|
225
|
LB
|
Springerville, Ariz. (Round Valley HS) |
| Shane
Watterson |
6-5
|
280
|
OL
|
Saugus,
Calif. (Saugus HS) |
| Alex Young
|
6-4
|
235
|
TE
|
Hughson,
Calif. (Central Catholic HS) |
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2007 UNLV Season
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2007 UNLV Preview
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2006 UNLV Season
2007 Schedule
CFN Prediction: 3-9
2007 Record: 2-10
Aug.
30
at Utah State
W 23-16
Sept. 8
Wisconsin L 20-13
Sept. 15
Hawaii L 49-14
Sept. 22 Utah
W 27-0
Sept. 29 at
Nevada L 27-20
Oct.
6
at Air Force
L 31-24
Oct.
13 BYU
L 24-14
Oct.
20
Colorado St
L 48-23
Oct.
27 at
Wyoming L 29-24
Nov.
10 SDSU
L 38-30
Nov.
17 at
TCU L 34-10
Nov.
24 at
New Mexico L 24-6 |
2008 Early Lookahead
Why to get excited: Last year was supposed to be a step back to
hopefully take a big leap forward. The offense went to a youth movement
in some areas, mostly at quarterback, and now it should pay off with
experience just about everywhere. Only one starter is gone off the
offense and just enough talent returns on defense to hope for an
improvement. This needs to finally be the year the Mike Sanford spread
offense finally gets going.
Why to be grouchy: Is Omar Clayton going to be ready to go at
quarterback? How much of a challenge will Travis Dixon pose for the job,
and will Rocky Hinds be back in the mix? The quarterback situation is
the biggest call of the off-season for a team that desperately needs
this to be a rock-steady area for a full season. Considering everyone
seems to be able to put up big numbers using the spread attack, if
Sanford's team is last in the Mountain West, and around 111th in the
nation in scoring offense again, there will be a new era in Rebel
football next year at this time.
The number one thing to work on is: Better line play. The passing
game was inefficient partly because the O line gave up way too many
sacks. Sure, the stats might be a bit skewed since running quarterbacks
will tend to get dropped for losses more than most, but the line wasn't
a positive. The defensive line got a few sacks, but didn't make nearly
enough plays in the backfield.
Biggest offensive loss: OG Tim Goins
Biggest defensive loss: LB Beau Bell
Best returning offensive player: RB Frank Summers, Sr.
Best returning defensive player:
DE Jeremy Geathers, Sr.
2007 Recap
Recap:
While it wasn’t evident in the program’s 2-10 record, the Rebels made some
strides in Mike Sanford’s third season in Las Vegas, nearly upsetting Wisconsin
in Week 2 and rarely being overmatched in the trenches. Still, an eight-game
losing streak to close out the year and a third straight two-win season is no
way to ensure job security for a coach that was supposed to elevate this team to
the top half of the Mountain West. While UNLV mined a gem from the JUCO ranks
in RB Frank Summers, the rest of the offense struggled with a lack experience,
especially behind center.
Offensive Player of the Year: RB Frank Summers
Defensive Player of the Year: LB Beau Bell
Biggest Surprise: Sanford picked up his first signature win with the
Rebels on Sept. 22, handing former employer Utah its first shutout in 14 years.
UNLV got 190 yards and three touchdowns from Summers, reaching .500 this late in
the season for the first time since 2003.
Biggest Disappointment: In the year of the improbable, UNLV nearly
delivered a whopper of an upset on Sept. 8, taking No. 5 Wisconsin to the wire
before relinquishing the lead with two minutes remaining. Even as
four-touchdown underdogs, the Rebels wanted nothing to do with moral victories
after failing to close this game out.
Looking Ahead: All of Sanford’s hard work, aggressive recruiting, and
commitment to youth should culminate in a breakthrough season for UNLV in 2008.
If not, the coach and his staff will likely be out of work this time next year.
Nov. 24
New Mexico 27 ... UNLV 6
New Mexico overcame four turnovers and 11 penalties with a
great defensive performance holding UNLV to just two first half
field goals. The Lobo offense overcame a 6-3 deficit with a 63-yard
Marcus Smith touchdown catch, a 26-yard Travis Brown scoring dash
and a one-yard Rodney Ferguson run as part of a 24-0 scoring run to
close out the game. The two teams combined for 21 penalties. Beau
Bell made 15 tackles and forced a fumble for the Rebels.
Player of the game:
New Mexico WR Marcus Smith caught eight passes for 130 yards and a
score.
Stat Leaders: UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon,
14-38, 135 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Frank Summers, 17-48. Receiving: Ryan Wolfe,
7-68
New Mexico - Passing: Donovan Porterie, 18-32,
199 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Rodney Ferguson, 24-117, 1 TD. Receiving: Marcus
Smith, 8-130, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
The offense simply
didn't improve a lick over the second half of the season. The
offensive line's struggles led to a lousy game against New Mexico,
and not enough of a passing threat allowed the Lobo D to load up
against the run. The key to the offseason will be getting the
quarterback situation settled. Someone has to step up and be
consistent of 2008 won't be any better. LB Beau Bell is a terror. He
put on a highlight reel for the NFL scouts against the Lobos.
Nov. 17
TCU 34 ... UNLV 10
TCU held UNLV to 12 rushing yards and only allowed a 32-yard
Frank Summers touchdown catch in the second quarter and a 28-yard Sergio Aguayo
field goal. The Horned Frogs got out to a 28-0 first half lead on two three-yard
runs from Andy Dalton and short runs from Joseph Turner and Aaron Brown. Chris
Manfredini added two second half field goals.
Player of the game:
TCU S Stephen Hodge made 11 tackles, a sack and a
tackle for loss
Stat Leaders: UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon, 13-21, 183 yds,
1 TD
Rushing: Frank Summers, 7-15. Receiving: Casey Flair, 6-67
TCU - Passing: Andy Dalton, 6-12, 73 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Andy Dalton, 10-73, 2 TD. Receiving: Derek Moore, 3-33
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It's
late November. There's no reason the UNLV offense, at this point in the year,
should only be gaining 12 rushing yards. TCU's defense might be great, but the
spread should dictate the action, not the other way around. Travis Dixon failed
to stretch things out with the passing game, while the offensive line never got
a push. With seven straight losses, this has been another disastrous season with
a trip to New Mexico to close things out. There needs to be some hope for next
year coming out of the trip to Albuquerque.
Nov. 10
San Diego State 38 ... UNLV 30
UNLV outgained San Diego State 482 yards to 318, but couldn't
survive a fourth quarter Aztec rally with Mekell Wesley returning a kickoff for
a touchdown, Garrett Palmer hitting a 22-yard field goal, and Martrell Fantroy
picking off a pass for a 55-yard score. The Rebels made a comeback of their own
after getting down 21-0 on two Kevin O'Connell touchdown passes and a 15-yard
Brandon Bornes run, helped by two of Travis Dixon's three touchdown passes, but
it wasn't enough.
Player of the game:
San Diego State QB Kevin O’Connell completed 17
of 23 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns, with an interception, and ran ten
times for 31 yards
Stat Leaders: San Diego State - Passing: Kevin O’Connell,
17-23, 196 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Brandon Sullivan, 10-70. Receiving: Brandon Sullivan,
6-68
UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon, 13-22, 185 yds, 3 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Frank Summers, 26-187. Receiving: Casey Flair, 8-88, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... In a
strange game, UNLV controlled the game and the clock against San Diego State by
running the spread effectively, and getting a huge day from Frank Summers, but
an interception return for a score and a kickoff return for a touchdown proved
to be too much to overcome. It was like a basketball game when UNLV seemed to
expend so much energy to make a comeback that it didn't have enough in the end.
On a six-game losing streak, now things get even tougher with road trips to TCU
and New Mexico.
Oct. 27
Wyoming 29 ... UNLV 24
Wyoming got a three-yard Wade Betschart touchdown catch with
just under six minutes to play for the lead, and then hung on as UNLV had two
more drives that stalled. With three Billy Vinnedge field goals in the first
quarter, the Cowboys got up, but failed to put the Rebels away. A 22-yard Casey
Flair touchdown catch and an 11-yard Beau Bell interception return for a score
gave UNLV the lead, but the Cowboys bounced back with a 21-yard David Leonard
touchdown catch and a one-yard Devin Moore run before the Rebels took the lead
back on a one-yard Omar Clayton run.
Player of the game:
Wyoming LB Ward Dobbs made
15 tackles
Stat Leaders: UNLV - Passing: Omar Clayton, 21-39, 223 yds,
1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Frank Summers, 21-58. Receiving: Casey Flair, 10-121, 1
TD
Wyoming - Passing: Karsten Sween, 8-17, 92 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Devin Moore, 24-86, 1 TD. Receiving: Michael Ford, 3-51
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... From the
lack of a running game to 14 penalties for 113 yards, UNLV didn't have an even
game against Wyoming, but it stayed alive until the end. Omar Clayton threw the
ball well and Casey Flair was unstoppable, but for the Rebel offense to be at
its best. Frank Summers needs to be cranking out yards in chunks. LB Beau Bell
cemented his place on the All-Mountain West team with yet another great game. On
a five-game losing streak, next week's home game against San Diego State is a
must to salvage something of another lost season.
Oct. 20
Colorado State 48 ... UNLV 23
In a strange game with a big wind storm wreaking havoc,
Colorado State broke its 13-game losing streak with an early 24-3 lead and a big
day from Gartrell Johnson, who ran for 162 yards and touchdowns from 34 and four
yards out. The defense got into the act with a 30-yard interception return for a
touchdown from Darryl Williams and a 99-yard pick six from Zac Bryson. UNLV
cranked out 559 yards of total offense, but turned it over five times. Frank
Summers ran for second half scores from 56 and six yards out, and Ryan Wolfe
caught a seven-yard touchdown pass in the final minute.
Player of the game:
Colorado State RB Gartrell
Johnson ran 25 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a pass for 15
yards
Stat Leaders: Colorado State - Passing: Caleb Hanie, 13-19,
218 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Gartrell Johnson, 25-162, 2 TD. Receiving: Damon Morton,
3-124, 1 TD
UNLV - Passing: Omar Clayton, 23-36, 304 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Omar Clayton, 19-135. Receiving: Ryan Wolfe, 11-135, 1 TD
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... Losing
at home to a team like Colorado State on a 13-game losing streak is hardly a
positive, but the play of QB Omar Clayton certainly gives reason for future
hope. He made a couple of back-breaking mistakes, but he also accounted for 439
yards of total offense taking over for an ineffective Travis Dixon. On a
four-game losing streak, the Rebels need more than just signs of life over the
next few weeks.
Oct. 13
BYU 24 ... UNLV 14
It wasn't pretty, but BYU overcame four turnovers by
outrushing UNLV 227 yards to 96 with Harvey Unga tearing off 177 yards with a
five-yard run, and Manase Tonga running for a three yards score to get by the
Rebels. Sergio Aguayo hit two field goals, but the Rebels didn't get into the
end zone until the final 1:11 on a five-yard pass from Omar Clayton to Rodelin
Anthony.
Player of the game:
BYU RB Harvey Unga ran 25 times
for 177 yards and a touchdown, and caught five passes for 44 yards.
Stat Leaders: BYU - Passing: Max Hall, 21-33, 214 yds, 1
TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Harvey Unga, 25-177, 1 TD. Receiving: Dennis Pitta, 7-97
UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon, 11-21, 78 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Frank Summers, 13-50. Receiving: Ryan Wolfe, 5-50
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
For the second straight week, UNLV got ripped apart
on the ground. Air Force had few problems two weeks ago, and this week, BYU did
whatever it wanted to. Up next is a winless Colorado State and its power rushing
attack. The Rebels have to take advantage of a down team, get more long,
sustained drives, start controlling the clock. Travis Dixon has to start doing
more for the passing game.
Oct. 6
Air Force 31 ... UNLV 14
Air Force rumbled for 309 rushing yards, with Chad Hall
scoring two times, highlighted by a 52-yard run. Shaun Carney added a 71-yard
scoring dash late in the third quarter to go up 21-7, but UNLV answered with its
best drive of the day, going 80 yards in 11 plays, finishing up with a four-yard
Frank Summers touchdown to get within seven. But Air Force was helped by a
seven-yard punt, leading to an easy field goal, and got a long drive, helped by
the running of Hall, who finished with a one-yard score, to put it away.
Player of the
game:
Air Force RB Chad Hall ran 18
times for 169 yards and two touchdowns, and caught four passes for 44 yards.
Stat Leaders: UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon, 23-37, 274 yds
Rushing: Frank Summers, 25-100, 1 TD. Receiving: Ryan Wolfe,
10-164
Air Force - Passing: Shaun Carney, 9-14, 123 yds
Rushing: Chad Hall, 18-169, 2 TD. Receiving:
Chad Hall, 4-44
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... UNLV
played well against Air Force, but couldn't get a key defensive stop and failed
to convert all the yards into points. Travis Dixon was able to move the ball
through the air, Frank Summers once again showed what a rushing threat he can
be, and Ryan Wolfe was unstoppable, but there weren't enough good drives in the
second half, and there weren't the big home runs that Air Force got. Even with
the problems, this is still an improving team that's looking far better than
last year.
Sept. 29
Nevada 27 ... UNLV 20
Nevada got a 43-yard touchdown pass from Nick Graziano to Kyle
Sammons with just 27 seconds left to play to finally put away the Rebels. Travis
Dixon tied it at 20 with just over a minute to play on a 30-yard scoring pass to
Ryan Wolfe, but the Pack was able to go 65 yards in just 35 seconds to get in
range for the game-winning pass. In the first quarter, Graziano connected with
Mike McCoy for a 9-yard touchdown, and hit Adam Bishop for a 15-yard score in
the fourth. Nevada only outgained Vegas by four yards, 458 to 454.
Player of the
game:
Nevada QB Nick
Graziano threw for 330 yards, three touchdowns and an interception on 20-of-38
passing, while running for 18 yards on six carries.
Stat Leaders: UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon, 17-37, 249 yds,
1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Frank Summers, 24-120, 1 TD. Receiving: Ryan Wolfe, 6-92,
1 TD
Nevada - Passing: Nick Graziano, 20-38, 330 yds, 3 TDs, 1
INT
Rushing: Luke Lippincott, 15-61. Receiving: Brandon Fragger, 4-27
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... UNLV
might have lost to Nevada, but it was another good step for the program that's
been looking for a big turnaround. Now the team is at least competitive, which
is a far cry from where it's been the past few seasons. Frank Summers appears to
be the every game answer at running back, and while Travis Dixon is going to be
erratic, he appears to be on the verge of making the offense explosive. This was
a good game; UNLV simply got beaten by a decent team.
Sept. 22
UNLV 27 ... Utah 0
Frank Summers scored on a 29-yard pass play, and ran for
fourth quarter touchdowns from four and 36 yards out as UNLV stunned
Utah. The defense forced four Ute turnovers and held the offense to just
300 yards, while the offense was able to take advantage of the
opportunities, going less than 40 yards on three scoring drives. Sergio
Aguayo hit field goals from 28 and 20 yards out.
Player
of the game:
UNLV
RB Frank Summer ran 29 times for 190 yards and two touchdowns, and
caught a pass for a 29-yard score.
Stat Leaders: UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon, 12-27,
144 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Frank Summers, 29-190 yds, 2 TD. Receiving: Ryan
Wolfe, 3-50
Utah - Passing: Tommy Grady, 11-21, 117 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Darrell Mack, 21-89. Receiving: Brandon Godfrey,
6-62
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... It might
not have been the prettiest offensive performance against Utah, but the
runnig of Frank Summers got the job done, while the defense played a
whale of a game in the shutout. LB Beau Bell cleaned up everything
against the run, and Mil'von James broke up almost every pass that came
his way as the defense showed that the good performance against
Wisconsin a few weeks ago wasn't a fluke. The passing of Travis Dixon
wasn't there, but with the way Summers ran made up for it. Yes, UNLV is
in first place in the Mountain West.
Sept. 15
Hawaii 49 ... UNLV 14
UNLV scored on its opening drive of the game, going 79 yards
in 13 plays, capped off with a six-yard Frank Summers touchdown run.
And then Hawaii's offense took the field. 42 points later, helped by
a 40-yard Ryan Mouton interception return for a score, the third
quarter was over. Colt Brennan ran or three scores and threw
touchdown passes to Ryan Grice-Mullen and Jason Rivers before giving
way to backup Tyler Graunke. UNLV got back on the board with a
31-yard Omar Clayton run in the fourth quarter.
Player of the
game:
Hawaii QB Colt
Brennan completed 26 of 32 passes for 298 yards and two touchdowns
and ran nine times for 19 yards and three scores
Stat Leaders: Hawaii - Passing: Colt Brennan,
26-32, 298 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Kealoha Pilares, 11-62. Receiving: C.J.
Hawthorne, 9-104
UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon, 19-37, 193 yds, 1
TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Frank Summers, 12-43. Receiving: Ryan Wolfe,
7-47
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ... With
teams all across the country cranking out yards and points in chunks
using the spread offense, shouldn't it be time for UNLV's attack to
finally work? After all head coach Mike Sanford was brought in to
make the offense fly, and it was supposed to be built to keep up in
shootouts like the one against Hawaii, but it sputtered and coughed
all game long with no running game and a painfully inconsistent
passing attack. The defense couldn't handle anything the Warriors
wanted to do, but that was to be expected. Now, Travis Dixon has to
start showing signs that he can be the quarterback to turn things
around.
Sept. 8
Wisconsin 20 ... UNLV 13
Wisconsin avoided the monumental upset thanks to a Tyler
Donovan 29-yard bootleg run, capped off with a dive into the end
zone, for a lead in the final two minutes. UNLV had one last shot,
but turned the ball over on downs after a tough performance. The
Rebels started off the scoring with a five-yard Casey Flair
touchdown catch, and Sergio Aguayo nailed two field goals, with his
35-yarder giving them the lead midway through the fourth. But the
Badgers would rally with a pounding ten-play, 61-yard drive
finishing with the Donovan dash. UW's other touchdown came on a
three-yard Garrett Graham catch in the second quarter, but the extra
point attempt was bobbled. UW PK Taylor Mehlhaff made up for it by
adding field goals from 27 and 51 yards out.
Player of
the game ...
Wisconsin RB
P.J. Hill ran 30 times for 147 yards and caught two passes for ten
yards
Stat Leaders: UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon,
23-36, 258 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Frank Summer, 8-25 Receiving:
Casey Flair, 10-126, 1 TD
Wisconsin - Passing: Tyler Donovan, 14-26,
138 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: P.J. Hill, 30-147 Receiving: Travis
Beckum, 6-66
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
While a win over Wisconsin would've finally jump-started the Mike
Sanford era, this was still an important performance against a top
team. QB Travis Dixon made a few rookie mistakes, especially on his
interception that led to a key Badger field goal, and there was no
running game, but the offense was better than Wisconsin's until the
final five minutes. Defensively, Beau Bell, with ten tackles and a
sack, had a whale of a game. Now he and the Rebel pass defense will
have to gear it up with Hawaii coming to town.
Aug. 30
UNLV 23 ... Utah State 16
Frank Summer ran for an 11-yard score with just over a minute
to play to get the Rebels by Utah State. Any hope for an Aggie
miracle was fumbled away on the ensuing kickoff. Utah State was up
10-3 at halftime thanks to a two-yard Aaron Lesue touchdown run and
a 38-yard Peter Caldwell field goal, but UNLV was able to get back
in it with two of Sergio Aguayo's three field goals and a 16-yard
Travis Dixon scoring run. Leon Jackson tied it with a one-yard
touchdown, but the Aggies only managed 89 yards in the second half
and never threatened again.
Player of the game: UNLV QB Travis Dixon completed 12
of 20 passes for 141 yards and ran 22 times for 129 yards and a
score
Stat Leaders: Utah State - Passing: Leon
Jackson, 13-19, 137 yds
Rushing: Curtis Marsh, 13-50. Receiving:
Kevin Robinson, 5-62
UNLV - Passing: Travis Dixon, 12-20, 141
yds
Rushing: Travis Dixon, 22-129, 1 TD. Receiving:
Ryan Wolfe, 6-65
Whoopty doo. What does it all mean, Basil? ...
Yeesh. While UNLV pulled
off a win against Utah State it wouldn't have gotten a year ago,
showing great toughness on defense in the second half and just
enough on offense to get by, there's a lot, a lot, to be
concerned about. Travis Dixon ran well in his first game as the
starter, but his passing wasn't anything fantastic and he didn't
make his receivers shine. To have a chance against Wisconsin next
week, Dixon can't be the only offensive option, and the penalties,
12 for 101 yards, have to stop.
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