Oct. 12, 2002

Final Stats?|? Quotes?|? Notes

LAS VEGAS - New Mexico's defense scored 11 points to lead the Lobos to a 25-16 win over UNLV in front of 21,205 at Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday.

The Lobos (3-4/1-1), who never trailed, won for the first time ever in Las Vegas by taking a 14-3 lead and holding off a fourth-quarter rally by the Rebels (2-4/0-1). UNM quarterback Justin Millea, making his first career start, completed only two of eight pass attempts for 20 yards but rushed for a game-high 148 yards on 20 carries, including a back-breaking 73-yard touchdown run that gave his team a 21-10 lead with just over five minutes left in the third quarter.

With starting quarterback Jason Thomas ineffective, Kurt Nantkes came off the bench to lead UNLV on an eight-play, 65-yard drive highlighted by Joe Haro's 43-yard scamper. After throwing a one-yard TD pass to Michael Johnson, the Rebels attempted to go for two to pull within a field goal. A trick play saw running back Larry Croom attempting to throw back to Nanktes in the end zone but Brand Ratcliff intercepted the attempt and raced the length of the field to score two more points for UNM. Now down 23-16, UNLV had one more attempt to tie the game but was pinned on its one-yard line with just over two minutes remaining. On third-and-12, Nantkes was sacked in the end zone for a safety.

Earlier in the game, Charles Moss picked off a Thomas pass attempt and pitched it to Desmar Black, who returned it 25 yards for a score to gave his team a 14-3 lead and mark the Lobo defense's first points of the day.

UNLV wide receiver Earvin Johnson finished with a career-high eight catches for 141 yards to lead all ball-catchers while Haro led the hosts with 72 yards on 16 carries.