Football

Rebels Fall To NIU In Season Opener

Sept. 05, 2015

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DEKALB, Ill. UNLV jumped out to a 17-3 lead in the first half over Northern Illinois, but the Huskies rallied to beat the Rebels 38-30 in the season opener on Saturday night.

Senior Blake Decker hooked up with sophomore Devonte Boyd for the first touchdown in the Tony Sanchez era on UNLV's first drive.

NIU answered on its first drive of the game when Christian Hagan hit a 48-yard field goal.

The Rebels extended their lead early in the second quarter when back-up quarterback and Illinois native Kurt Palandech scampered 18 yards for a score, giving UNLV a 14-3 advantage.

Later in the second quarter the Rebels' Nicolai Bornand hit a 21-yard field goal, but the Huskies answered with a touchdown to close out the first half. UNLV went into the break with a 17-10 advantage. It was the first time since visiting Air Force in 2013 that the Rebels had a lead at half while on the road.

NIU tied the game 1:12 into the second half and that opened up a 28-6 run as the Huskies jumped out to a 38-23 lead with just over eight minutes left in the game.

The Rebels closed the gap with 5:26 left in the game when Decker connected with classmate Aaron Criswell for a 41-yard touchdown.

The UNLV defense then forced NIU to a 3-and-out and got the ball back with 3:17 left in the game. The Rebels were driving on its final possession of the game, but UNLV was unable to convert on fourth down and the Huskies were able to hold on for the victory.

Decker finished the game 21-of-39 for 319 yards, which was his fourth highest passing total as a Rebel, and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 35 yards on 10 carries.

Boyd finished with 107 yards on five catches and a touchdown to lead UNLV. Kendal Keys finished with six catches for 62 yards, Anthony Williams finished with five receptions for 52 yards and Criswell finished with three grabs for 61 yards and a score.

Defensively the Rebels were led by Peni Vea, who finished with nine tackles, including a sack, and forced a fumble.

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Players Mentioned

Kendal Keys

#84 Kendal Keys

WR
6' 4"
Senior
3L
Kurt Palandech

#14 Kurt Palandech

QB
6' 2"
Sophomore
2L
Devonte Boyd

#83 Devonte Boyd

WR
6' 1"
Freshman
HS
Blake Decker

#5 Blake Decker

QB
6' 2"
Junior
TR
Nicolai Bornand

#40 Nicolai Bornand

LB/P
6' 1"
Freshman
Aaron Criswell

#9 Aaron Criswell

WR
5' 10"
Freshman
Peni Vea

#42 Peni Vea

DB
6' 1"
Sophomore
1L
Anthony Williams

#6 Anthony Williams

WR
5' 11"
Sophomore
1L

Players Mentioned

Kendal Keys

#84 Kendal Keys

6' 4"
Senior
3L
WR
Kurt Palandech

#14 Kurt Palandech

6' 2"
Sophomore
2L
QB
Devonte Boyd

#83 Devonte Boyd

6' 1"
Freshman
HS
WR
Blake Decker

#5 Blake Decker

6' 2"
Junior
TR
QB
Nicolai Bornand

#40 Nicolai Bornand

6' 1"
Freshman
LB/P
Aaron Criswell

#9 Aaron Criswell

5' 10"
Freshman
WR
Peni Vea

#42 Peni Vea

6' 1"
Sophomore
1L
DB
Anthony Williams

#6 Anthony Williams

5' 11"
Sophomore
1L
WR