Oct. 13, 2001
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San Diego State at UNLV
Oct. 13, 2001
Sam Boyd Stadium
Las Vegas, NV
UNLV began the game with two new defensive ends in the starting lineup. Scott Parkhurst started for the injured Anton Palepoi (MCL sprain) and Adrian Watson started over Ahmad Briggs, who has been slowed by a shoulder injury.
UNLV's Dillon Pieffer nailed a 32-yard first-quarter field goal for his fourth consecutive successful attempt. He would break that streak by missing a second-half attempt from 29 yards.
UNLV QB Jason Thomas left the game in the second quarter with a slight concussion. Freshman reserve Kurt Nantkes hit Steven Costa on a 10-yard touchdown for Nantkes' second career scoring toss and Costa's first career score.
Jason Thomas returned to the game in the second quarter and scored on an 8-yard touchdown run - the junior's 14th rushing score of his career.
UNLV RB Joe Haro rushed for 102 yards on 13 carries in the first half alone, which was the junior's third century-mark game of his career and the 18th 100-yard rusher in UNLV's last 18 regular-season games.
On the final play of the first half, UNLV's Troy Mason returned a punt 52 yards for a touchdown, his second career return for a TD.
UNLV's 31-3 halftime lead was its largest (28 points) since being up 31-0 over North Texas on Sept. 16, 2000 - a span of 17 games.
UNLV RB Dominique Dorsey left the game with a sprained ankle. He returned briefly for one series in the second quarter but then did not return. His final numbers were three carries for 17 yards. Dorsey, who leads the nation in kickoff return average with 46.7, did not register a kickoff return, which will drop him out of the national rankings with too few attempts.
Tonight's paid was attendance was 22,100
Haro ran 23 times for a career-high 136 yards, which was the fifth 100-yard in six games this season for UNLV.
The 31-3 final meant UNLV held an opponent to three points or less for the first time since a 38-0 win over North Texas on Sept. 16, 2000, and for the sixth time since the school moved to Division I in 1978.
The game marked the first time the Rebels held a conference opponent to three points or less since downing Cal State Fullerton 25-3 on Oct. 12, 1991, as part of the Big West Conference.
The three points were the fewest ever allowed by UNLV to a Mountain West Conference opponent, besting the 10 given up to BYU in 2000.
Eight Rebels ran the ball for a total of 274 yards.
By giving up 39 rushing yards, UNLV has now held 18 of its last 20 opponents to under 200 yards.
UNLV defeated SDSU in successive seasons for the first time since 1983-84.
UNLV is now 21-13 all-time in Homecoming games, including two straight.
UNLV head coach John Robinson improved to 2-1 vs. fellow-former USC head coach Ted Tollner.
UNLV's defense has allowed only one touchdown in the last two games (UNR).
SDSU Team Notes
San Diego State fell to 2-4 overall, 1-2 in the Mountain West with today's loss. The Aztecs, who defeated Eastern Illinois, 40-7, last week have not won back-to-back games since the final two contests of the 1999 season when SDSU defeated UNLV and Wyoming.
SDSU's loss was its first in Sam Boyd Stadium since 1996. UNLV now leads the series, 6-5, and has a 3-2 edge in Las Vegas.
Today's loss was just the third in nine Mountain West games for San Diego State. Overall, the Aztecs are 7-10 in league contests since joining the Mountain West Conference.
UNLV's 10 first quarter points and 31 first half points were the most given up by San Diego State this season.
Rebel punt returner Troy Mason's 52-yard punt return for touchdown was the versus the Aztecs since Sept. 12, 1998, when USC's R. Jay Soward had a 74-yard return.
San Diego State's three points were a season low and its fewest points since being held to a field goal at Oregon State on Sept. 23, 2000. The Aztecs were also held to a season low in total offense.
With 46 yards, Larry Ned moved past George Jones into third place on SDSU's all-time rushing chart. He now has 2,830 career yards rushing and trails just Jonas Lewis (2,843) and Marshall Faulk (4,589) at SDSU all time.
Jerome Haywood made his 40th career start today.
J.R. Tolver and Derrick Lewis each extended their consecutive game reception streaks to 20 games.
Tommy Kirovski's 34-yard, first-quarter field goal was a season long and his fourth of the year. The junior has now connected on 4-of-5 attempts. He is a perfect 4-for-4 inside 40 yards.
Jeff Shoate's second-quarter interception was his second of the season. His first game earlier this year at Colorado State.
Quarterback Adam Hall made his first collegiate start behind center. Freshman linebacker Stephen Larsen also chalked up is first college start, opening the game at weakside linebacker in place of Jomar Butler. Fellow freshman linebacker Kirk Morrison made just his second career start in the middle.
