Sept. 3, 2006
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
UNLV vs. Idaho State Game Notes (9-2-06)
-UNLV won its season-opening game for the first time since 2003 and for only the third time in 12 seasons. The Rebels improved to 19-20 all-time in lid-lifters and 15-6 when the debuts came at home.
-The 54-10 final represented the fifth-biggest margin of victory in school history.
-The 54 points were the most scored by UNLV in any game since a 58-42 victory over New Mexico State in Las Cruces in 1986.
-The 54 points were the most scored by the Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium since a 59-29 win over Western Illinois in 1977.
-The Rebels, who opened a season on a Saturday for the first time since 2002, took a 5-2 all-time lead in the series with Idaho State. The home team has won all seven games in the series (UNLV 5-0 in Las Vegas vs. ISU).
-Idaho State was the first NCAA Div. I-AA opponent to play UNLV since Illinois State in 1997 and UNLV improved to 23-7 all-time vs. teams that currently make up the Big Sky Conference.
-Tonight's home opener for UNLV marked just the third time in 12 years that the Rebels opened a season at home.
-In his first collegiate game, UNLV sophomore quarterback Rocky Hinds' first play from scrimmage was a 19-yard rush on the first offensive play of the game. His first completion was a pass to Ronnie Smith for a five-yard gain.
-Hinds finished the game with 322 yards passing, going 24-42 with one touchdown. He added 42 yards on six carries with a seven-yard TD run in the second quarter.
-Rebel sophomore running back David Peeples' one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was the first of the sophomore's career at UNLV. Peeples added another in the second quarter.
-Rebel sophomore defensive end Jeremy Geathers recorded his first career sack, bringing down Idaho State quarterback Matt Gutierrez in the second quarter. Geathers also forced a fumble on the play, which was recovered by the Bengals. Geathers added another sack in the second quarter in what was a strong debut for the defensive end.
-Geathers returned a fumble 67 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, the first time that a Rebel returned a fumble for a score since Joe Miklos returned one 45 yards against Colorado State on Nov. 22, 2003. The fumble by Ken Cornist was the first time an ISU running back had lost a fumble since 2004.
-Geathers' fumble return of 67 yards for a score was a Sam Boyd Stadium record for a Rebel. It tied for the fourth-longest anywhere by UNLV.
-A number of Rebels caught their first pass for UNLV: Rodelin Anthony, Chris Butler, Ryan Wolfe, Aaron Straiten.
-Senior running back Erick Jackson's 29-yard scoring run in the second quarter was the longest scoring jaunt of his career. Jackson, who was honored as the fifth annual recipient of the Tom Wiesner Award before the game, finished with 79 yards on just 11 carries.
-Rocky Hinds' seven-yard scoring run at the 2:55 mark of the second quarter was the first of his Rebel career.
-The 30 points scored in the first half by UNLV were the most in a half since getting 35 vs. Nevada, Reno on Oct. 2, 2004.
-The 27 points scored by UNLV in the second quarter marked the most points in quarter since the Rebels scored 28 against Nevada, Reno in the fourth quarter on Oct. 2, 2004.
-Senior Will Tagoai's interception in the third quarter on a tipped ball was the first career pick for the Rebel defensive back.
-Idaho State defensive back D.J. Clark blocked a field goal attempt by Rebel kicker Ben Jaekle in the third quarter. The last time a UNLV FG attempt was blocked was Nov. 19, 2005, against Colorado State.
-Wolfe brought in 6 passes for 160 yards, including a 71-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter. Wolfe set the UNLV freshman record for receiving yards in a game, besting Carlos Baker's 155 vs. San Jose State in 1995. Wolfe's 160 yards were the most for a Rebel since Michael Johnson had 174 yards in 2001.
