LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Combating swirling winds and the need to replace its starting quarterback, UNLV (2-3/0-1) opened Mountain West play by being thumped 50-14 by New Mexico (3-2/1-0) Saturday afternoon at Sam Boyd Stadium.
With starter Armani Rogers – who came in to Saturday eighth in the nation in rushing -- sidelined indefinitely with a foot injury, sophomore Max Gilliam made his first Division One start and the offense struggled to net just 43 yards on the ground. Gilliam completed 15 of 35 attempts for 123 yards, including two touchdowns, but was sacked five times. Receivers Brandon Presley and Darren Woods Jr. each found the end zone for the home team in the fourth quarter.
The balanced Lobos took advantage of every opportunity, scoring 13 points off of turnovers and running for 252 yards and passing for 250. After a scoreless first quarter, the visitors put up 29 points in the second and never looked back.
STAT OF THE GAME:
At halftime, New Mexico had 15 first downs to UNLV's one.
REBEL OF THE GAME:
Even while spending half the game kicking into the extreme winds, punter Hayes Hicken finished with an average of 42 yards on nine attempts, including a long of 66. He also successfully converted a fake punt in the third quarter by running for 14 yards.
QUOTABLE:
"I'm so disappointed in us right now. We had two weeks off and it looks like we were still on vacation. Walking off the field, we're embarrassed, I'm embarrassed, our players are embarrassed and we just have to play better than that. Hats off to Coach Davie and his group. They did a great job rebounding off a tough loss last week and coming in and kicking our tail -- and that's exactly what they did."
-UNLV Head Coach Tony Sanchez
REBEL NOTES:
-UNLV came into the game ranked third in the nation in rushing with 336 yards but could only manage 43 against the Lobos after 43 yards lost on sacks were included.
-Senior running back Lexington Thomas, who entered 14th in the nation with 116 yards per game, finished with just 36 yards on six.
-Senior safety Dalton Baker led all players with 14 total tackles while safety Javin White had 10 takedowns, 1.5 TFL and two forced fumbles.
-UNM evened the all-time series between the teams at 12 after winning its second straight trip to Las Vegas.
-The Rebels fell to 13-24 in conference openers, including 9-10 when they happen at home.
-Fourth-year head coach Tony Sanchez lost a Mountain West opener for the first time.
NEXT FOR THE REBELS:
UNLV plays at Utah State Saturday in Logan. The next home game for the Rebels is Homecoming vs. Air Force on Friday, Oct. 19 at 7 p.m. To purchase tickets, visit UNLVtickets.com or call 702-739-FANS (3267). Parking is free at Sam Boyd Stadium for Rebel football games.
