The UNLV Runnin' Rebels hosted the defending Mountain West champions San Jose State Spartans in a late night kick-off in Las Vegas. San Jose would move to a 4-4 record with a 27-20 win over the Rebels dropping UNLV to 0-7.
UNLV at one point led by 14-points, much like last weeks loss to Utah State, the Rebels could not close the game out. A comeback mounted on the home squad from the defending champions Spartans may have resulted in San Jose's best win of the year.
Here is how it happened.
Off of the opening kick-off UNLV brought some aggressiveness and some creativity, as they pooched the kick-off and recovered it at the SJSU 20-yard line. Cameron Friel would find Steve Jenkins for a touchdown as the Rebels would strike first, leading 7-0.
The first Spartan drive would stall out and result in three points, the 7-3 score would hold on into the second quarter.
UNLV kicker Daniel Gutierrez nailed a 53-yarder to extend the lead to 10-3. After a few punts exchanged between both teams, SJSU would turn the ball over as Spartan quarterback Nick Nash fumbled and it would be recovered by the Rebels.
The short field advantage would turn into a Charles Williams touchdown, his seventh of the year and gave the Rebels a 17-3 lead. SJSU put together a drive that featured a couple of drive saving catches from Charles Ross.
Although UNLV would hold the Spartans to only a field goal and would have a 17-6 lead. At this moment, receiving the ball before half and then getting it back after the break, UNLV had a chance to control the entire pace of the game, until a very costly mistake happens.
Trouble would ensue for the Rebels, Charles Williams would fumble the ball and turn it over to SJSU, setting up Nash to find Derrick Deese Jr who presented to be a problem all night for the Rebels. Deese Jr would end up with six catches and 106 yards.
Deese would reel in a 25-yard strike down to the one yard line and Tyler Nevens would score his first of two scores on the night, making it 17-13 at half time.
UNLV would receive the second half kick-off and would drive down the field to settle for a field goal. Gutierrez would end up breaking a UNLV school record for most consecutive field goals made with 16 straight, UNLV would go back up by seven 20-13.
On a key fourth down and short, UNLV stuffed the Spartans and would get the ball back, yet the drive would be short lived as they had to punt it back to SJSU. This punt would end up resulting in a string of fumbles, the first of three different fumbles that UNLV could not recover, the punt was muffed and UNLV still could not come away with the football.
This would lead to the second Tyler Nevens touchdown of the game, making it tied at 20.
UNLV would start a drive from their own 20-yard line and march down into SJSU territory. On a 4th and 1, coach Marcus Arroyo made a decision to kick the field and try to take a three point lead. This call from Arroyo would be a huge moment in the entire football game.
Gutierrez had been automatic for so long but on this attempt it was out of his control. SJSU blocked the attempt and the entire energy shifted to the San Jose State sideline.
The Spartans would drive down the field and take a lead, 27-20 as Nash would scramble his way in. Nash finished the game with 121 rushing yards and a touchdown.
On the final drive, UNLV made multiple drive saving catches. Kyle Williams reeled in his seventh catch but would be shaken up on the play and helped off from Rebel trainers. Williams had 117 yards in his efforts.
On a fourth down, with 14 seconds remaining, an untouched line-backer for SJSU sacked Friel resulting in the game-ending sack.
UNLV will play the Nevada Wolfpack on Friday night in Reno.
Comment
Comments