Final Stats | USATSI Gallery | UNLV Game Notes vs. Idaho | UNLV - Idaho Postgame Quotes

Special to UNLVRebels.com
By Paul Delos Santos

UNLV rushed for 394 yards, but it was not enough as the Rebels suffered a 33-30 overtime loss to Idaho on Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"That's a hard one to swallow, felt like we had a great opportunity to come in and get a win," UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez said. "But the bottom line is they made more plays than we did."

Sophomore running back Lexington Thomas rushed 19 times for 160 yards with two touchdowns. The performance marked the sixth time Thomas rushed for more than 100 yards in his UNLV career (third time this season).

Quarterback Johnny Stanton also eclipsed the 100-yard rushing mark, running for 131 yards on 18 carries. It was Stanton's first 100-yard rushing game of his UNLV career. He also completed 14 for 26 passes for 175 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.

The game marked the first time UNLV (1-3) had a pair of 100-yard rushers in a single game since last season's game against Hawaii. It also signaled the third time that a Tony Sanchez-led team has had two ball carriers rush for more than a 100 yards.

Idaho (2-2) jumped out to an early 10-0 lead before Thomas put the Rebels on the board with a three-yard touchdown run midway through the second quarter. The Vandals added a touchdown late in the second quarter, and UNLV answered when Stanton found Marc Philippi for a four-yard touchdown pass to enter the locker room trailing 17-14.

Idaho added a field goal on its first drive of the second half, extending the lead to 20-14. UNLV tied the game following a pair of Evan Pantels field goals - Pantels' first two field goals of the season.

After Idaho reclaimed the lead with a touchdown with 6:14 left in regulation, the Rebels responded with a three-play, 83-yard drive, capped off by a 55-yard touchdown run by Thomas.

The Rebels received the ball first in the extra period, which drive ended with a 23-yard Pantels field goal. Idaho followed up by scoring the game-sealing touchdown on the ensuing possession.

The Rebels racked up a season-high 539 yards of offense. Devonte Boyd hauled in six passes for 64 yards, while Tau Lotulelei led the way with 15 tackles (5 solo).

UNLV returns to the field next Saturday for a game against Fresno State. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Sam Boyd Stadium. The Bulldogs won last season's meeting in Fresno, Calif. 31-28.