HERE COMES MIKE … AGAIN

The weekly Mike Sanford charge onto the field took place late in the second quarter. With UNLV driving and trailing Wyoming 7-6 with 2:22 to go before halftime, Mike Clausen tried to hit Casey Flair in the corner of the end zone.

Flair managed to haul in the pass but he was ruled out of bounds. Naturally, that caused Sanford to run onto the field demanding an explanation. Never mind the officials already decided to review the play.

To Sanford’s and UNLV’s chagrin, the call stood. The Rebels’ drive stalled at the Wyoming 21, forcing UNLV to settle for another 38-yard Kyle Watson field goal attempt. He has all nine of UNLV’s points as the Rebels cling to a tenuous 9-7 halftime lead.

NOT TRYING TO DO TOO MUCH

Chris Stutzreim, the fourth-string QB for Wyoming, is doing a good job of limiting his risk-taking. Obviously, the game plan was tailored as such and he is hitting short passes into the flat as the Rebels defensive backs are giving the Wyoming receivers a bit of a cushion.

At the end of the first half, Sanford had Ryan Wolfe in on defense to protect the end zone and Wolfe got credit for the breakup on Stutzreim’s Hail Mary heave on the final play of the half. Now that’s a smart piece of coaching.

Stutzreim’s halftime stats are 8-for-14 for 74 yards, one TD and no interceptions. Clausen is 8-for-17 for 70 yards.

TIME ON THEIR SIDE

The Rebels are dominating the time of possession, 18:44 to 11:16, but they can’t dent the end zone.