Sept. 30, 2000
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UNLV NOTES
Both of UNLV's starting running backs did not start vs. AFA. Tailback Jeremi Rudolph was replaced by Kevin Brown while fullback James Wofford was replaced by Steven Costa. Wofford suffered a mild concussion last week at BYU.
Ray Cheetany's first-quarter field goal was his third of 2000, which was one more than UNLV kicked all of last year.
Ray Cheetany's extra point attempt was blocked in the first quarter, marking the fourth Rebel kick blocked this season, including two field goals.
UNLV kicked two field goals in the first half, marking the first time the Rebels made more than one field goal in a game since Tim O'Reilly booted two vs. Wyoming on Oct. 17, 1998.
Troy Mason caught four passes for 122 yards (all in the first half). Coupled with his 102 yards at BYU last week, Mason is the first Rebel receiver to have back-to-back 100-yard games since Len Ware did it three straight times - Sept. 13, 20 and 27 - 1997.
Jason Thomas' 20-yard run for a touchdown meant that the sophomore has rushed for at least one score in all four games of his career.
Cheetany had another extra point attempt blocked in the third quarter, marking the second of the day and the fifth of the year for the Rebels, including two field goals.
The Rebels converted a two-point conversion in the third quarter, which marked the first two-point conversion for UNLV since 1995.
UNLV outrushed Air Force 224-219, marking the first time the Falcons have been outrushed since 1998. AFA outrushed the Rebels 418 to 138 in 1999's game.
UNLV's defense has given up only six touchdowns this season in four games and has shut out its opponents in nine of the last 12 quarters.
UNLV had two 100-yard receivers in the same game since Len Ware (150) and Todd Floyd (125) hit the century mark on Nov. 22, 1997, vs. San Jose State.
Nate Turner had a career-high nine receptions for 102 yards. The senior's previous high was six set twice last season and once this fall.
The win was the first ever Mountain West Conference victory at home and the first conference victory at Sam Boyd Stadium since downing TCU 21-19 on Oct. 11, 1997.
The game marked the first time UNLV appeared on ABC television at home.
This marks the first time UNLV has won two consecutive home games since defeating Hawaii (Sept. 20) and Illinois State (Sept. 27) in back-to-back games in 1997.
Preseason All-America cornerback Kevin Thomas had his second interception of the season and the seventh of his career.
Sophomore Steven Costa made his first career start count, leading the Rebels in rushing with 78 yards on eight carries.
AIR FORCE NOTES
Despite tonight's loss, Air Force's 31 wins since 1997 is the most by a MWC team.
QB Mike Thiessen became the 26th player in school history to reach the 1,000-yard mark for his career. Thiessen entered the game with 997 yards.
Air Force's two blocked kicks give the team four this season, all of which have come in the last two games. Zach Johnson and Dan Probert each recorded the first block of their careers. The two blocks give AFA 63 since 1990 and mark the 11th consecutive year AFA has had three or more blocks in a season.
QB Mike Thiessen's TD pass is his seventh of the season which ranks 11th in Air Force history for a single-season. Thiessen has now thrown a TD in three straight games. His INT is his first this season.
HB Scotty McKay's TD catch is his first this season. The catch is his first since breaking his thumb in the season opener.
