Sept. 5, 2009
Recap | Final Stats | Quotes
SACRAMENTO STATE at UNLVGame Notes (Sept. 5, 2009)
UNLV won its fourth consecutive season-opening game with a 38-3 final over Sacramento State in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. It marked the first time the Rebels won four straight lid-lifters since taking five from 1973-77.
UNLV Head Coach Mike Sanford became the first coach in school history to win four straight season openers. He improved to 4-1 in openers overall.
The Rebels improved to 22-20 all-time in season debuts, including 17-6 when opening the season at home.
UNLV improved to 24-7 all-time vs. teams from the Big Sky Conference while Sac State fell to 0-3 vs. the Mountain West Conference.
UNLV QB Omar Clayton's touchdown pass extended his streak throwing at least one to 10 games, which ties him for the fourth longest such streak in MWC history.
UNLV senior PK Kyle Watson went 5-5 in extra points on the night, which improved the former transfer to 42-42 as a Rebel. That puts him third in school history for consecutive PATs made - just four away from passing Dillon Pieffer (2001-02) and Jim Cook (1986-88), who both hit 45 in a row.
In his first start, Rebel junior RB Channing Trotter turned in his first 100-yard collegiate rushing game, going for 102 net yards on 16 carries. He also scored on three one-yard rushes, making him the first UNLV player to rush for at least three touchdowns in a game since QB Jason Thomas ran in three vs. Wyoming on Nov. 2, 2002.
Watson made his UNLV punting debut a success, kicking three times for a 45.0-yard average.
Two juniors led the Rebels in total tackles as linebackers Starr Fuimaono and Ronnie Paulo both finished with 11.
UNLV was a perfect 5-5 in the red zone Saturday. The Rebels tied Ohio State for the national lead in that category a year ago, scoring 95-percent of the time inside opponents' 20-yard lines.
The Rebels scored their most points since winning 42-39 over Air Force on Nov. 24, 2006. The 35-point victory was the biggest for UNLV since the last time it played a Big Sky Conference team (54-10 over Idaho State on Sept. 2, 2006.
Combined with last season, UNLV has now three of its last four games for the first time since starting the 2003 season at 4-1.
UNLV rushed for its most net yards (216) since going for 275 vs. San Diego State on Nov. 10, 2007.
