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Special to UNLVRebels.com
By Paul Delos Santos

LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) - Freshman quarterback Dalton Sneed impressed in his first career start, rushing for 147 yards on 15 carries with one touchdown to lead UNLV to a 45-20 homecoming game victory over Fresno State on Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium to snap a three-game losing streak.

"It's been a tough couple of weeks," UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez said. "It's great to see them be able to celebrate all the hard work they've put in."

The Rebels (2-3, 1-0 Mountain West) rushed for 364 yards as a team and featured two 100-yard rushers for the second consecutive week. Freshman running back Charles Williams notched his first career 100-yard rushing game, gaining 153 yards on 18 carries with one touchdown to complement Sneed's 147-yard rushing performance.

"We've got a lot of young guys doing special things," Sanchez said.

The Rebels got on the scoreboard first when sophomore running back Lexington Thomas scored on a one-yard touchdown run. The Bulldogs (1-4, 0-1 Mountain West) leveled the game on the next possession.

Williams scored his lone touchdown of the game, rushing five yards to put UNLV ahead 14-7. The Rebels extended their lead after Sneed found a wide-open Elijah Trosclair for a 61-yard touchdown pass -- the first for both players.

Fresno State cut the lead to 21-10 after a 42-yard field goal. On the ensuing drive, Sneed set a new UNLV record by avoiding a safety and scampering 91 yards for a score.

The play was the longest scoring play in school history.

"As soon as I saw that black paint in the end zone, I thought, `I need to get out and get to the sideline," Sneed said. "I got out and got a few good blocks and just turned on the jets and got six."

UNLV added a field goal late in the third quarter, extending its lead to 31-10. The Bulldogs scored the next 10 point, cutting the Rebel lead to 11. The Rebels closed out the game with a pair of David Greene touchdowns.

Sneed also threw for 129 yards on 8-of-16 passing with one touchdown.

The Rebels accumulated 493 yards of offense. Senior linebacker Tau Lotulelei led the way with 10 tackles (six solo) and one sack, while fellow senior Ryan McAleenan added eight (four solo).

UNLV travels to San Diego State next Saturday. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Qualcomm Stadium. The Aztecs won last year's meeting 52-14.