Football Drops Close One In The Rain At Arkansas State

Saturday, September 22

Jonesboro, AR

4:00 pm PT

University of Nevada Las Vegas

2-2

Arkansas State

3-1

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
UNLV	7	0	13	0	20
Arkansas State	6	7	6	8	27

9/22/2018 9:22:00 PM | Football

Box Score

JONESBORO, AR (UNLVRebels.com) – Arkansas State (3-1) converted four turnovers into 13 points to get by UNLV (2-2) 27-20 during a rain-soaked Saturday night non-conference game Saturday at Centennial Bank Stadium.

In just the second meeting between the programs and the first since 1995, the Rebels rushed for 310 yards, including 181 by quarterback Armani Rogers, but were held to the fourth-lowest passing total in school history with just 23 yards.

UNLV led twice in the game. The first time came in the first quarter when Evan Owens sprinted for a 41-yard touchdown that marked the senior's first score as a Rebel and gave his team a 7-6 advantage. After falling behind 19-7 in the third, the visitors scored two quick touchdowns to go back ahead 20-19. The Red Wolves went on to score the only points in the fourth quarter on a 39-yard scamper. The Rebels got the ball back at their own 23-yard line with 1:52 remaining but could not move into scoring position.

UNLV's defense, which held the hosts to 3-of-13 on third-down attempts, was paced by Dalton Baker's 10 total tackles go with a fumble recovery.

STAT OF THE GAME:
UNLV, playing in constant rain, completed just one of 10 pass attempts in the second half.

REBEL OF THE GAME:
Junior safety Javin White shined with nine total tackles, 1.5 TFL, one QB sack and one forced fumble that led to a UNLV touchdown.

THE TURNING POINT:
UNLV led 7-6 and was driving for more points in the second quarter after a 37-yard Lexington Thomas burst. Instead, Arkansas State grabbed one of its three interceptions on the night at its own two-yard line and marched the ball down field to take momentum and a 13-7 lead.

QUOTABLE:
"Tough loss, tough one to swallow there. I felt like at times we put ourselves in position to win the game, but we had too many unforced errors…At times we moved the ball on offense, but we never really completely got it rolling. We've got to get better at throwing the ball. We didn't handle the weather as well as they did, the ball sailed on us all night and we passed for under 50 yards so it's gonna be tough to win games like that."
-UNLV Head Coach Tony Sanchez

REBEL NOTES:
-ASU, which will return the game by playing in Las Vegas in 2019, evened the all-time series at 1-1.
-The Rebels were facing a team that was a member of the Sun Belt Conference at the time of the game for the first time.
-UNLV fell to 0-2 all-time in the state of Arkansas and dropped to 3-2 vs. teams from the Natural State.
-Armani Rogers' 181 net yards on 26 carries extended his school record for most career 100-yard rushing games with his fifth such effort (and third straight). He also ran in his sixth touchdown of the season.
-Lexington Thomas did not break 100 yards rushing for the first time this season, finishing with 82 net yards on 18 attempts. The senior did rush for his 33^rd career touchdown, which is just four short of the record set by Mike Thomas in 1973-74.
-Punter Hayes Hicken continued his fine work, finishing with a 53-yard average on five attempts, including a 66-yarder that was downed on the ASU two-yard line.

NEXT FOR THE REBELS:
UNLV heads into its only bye of the season before opening Mountain West play Saturday, Oct. 6, by hosting New Mexico at 1 p.m. PT. To purchase tickets, visit UNLVtickets.com or call 702-739-FANS (3267). Parking is free at Sam Boyd Stadium for Rebel football games.