LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV finished a foot short of tying the game in double-overtime, being stopped at the goal-line on a two-point conversion attempt and falling 35-33 to Eastern Washington Thursday night at Allegiant Stadium.
In the first-ever meeting with the Eagles, the Rebels, who rallied from a 20-6 deficit to send the game into overtime at 20 apiece, lost their first game played in their new stadium with full capacity for fans. Former TCU transfer Justin Rogers made his first career start at quarterback as UNLV led 6-3 at halftime. Freshman Doug Brumfield replaced him in the third quarter after EWU scored 17 unanswered points. The hosts kicked two field goals and then a 16-yard Charles Williams rush to draw within two before Brumfield threw a two-point conversion to Courtney Reese to knot the game.
The teams traded touchdowns twice in overtime but EWU made its two-point attempt to force the Rebels to go for two on what became the final play of the game.
REBEL OF THE GAME:
Senior place-kicker Daniel Gutierrez tied a school record with four made field goals, including a career-long 51-yarder, which saw the former walk-on score his team's first 12 points, allowing them to mount the big comeback. Gutierrez was awarded a scholarship during fall camp.
STAT OF THE GAME:
Senior running back Charles Williams finished with his second-most rushing yards as a Rebel, carrying the ball 27 times for 172 yards and the two scores.
REBEL NOTES:
-Gutierrez improved to 25-of-31 on field goals in his career, which raised his career percentage to 80.6, which is the highest in school history
-The Chuck Wagon's big night gave him 3,112 yards in his career, making him just the fourth Rebel in history to reach the 3,000-yard mark
-Williams' 11th career 100-yard rushing game moved him into a tie with Dominique Dorsey (2001-04) in fourth place all-time at UNLV
-Williams' two rushing touchdowns moved him up two spots on the school's career list as his 21 all-time scores pushed him to sixth place
-UNLV got two interceptions vs. the Eagles, one by Phillip Hill and one by true freshman Cameron Oliver, to match the team's entire pick total from the short 2020 season
-The Rebels won the turnover battle 3-2 after Kue Olotoa forced and recovered a fumble on an EWU kickoff return to help complete the comeback in regulation
-Jacoby Windmon and Austin Ajiake each had 10 total tackles to pace UNLV
-Evan Silva made his Rebel debut at punter, finishing with six attempts for a 35.2-yard average
-Former Oregon transfer Jayvaun Wilson got his first college carry, gaining nine yards
-UNLV fell to 24-30 all-time in season-openers and 19-10 when they happened at home
-The Rebels fell to 36-16-1 vs. teams that currently make up the Big Sky Conference
NEXT FOR THE REBELS:
UNLV heads to Tempe for its second-ever appearance against Arizona State on Saturday, Sept. 11. With a 7:30 p.m. kickoff, the game will be shown by ESPN2.
