Rebels, Cowboys tied at the half

LARAMIE, Wyo. — UNLV can’t say it didn’t have its chances in the first half, but back-to-back drives inside the 10-yard line in the second quarter resulted in field goals rather than touchdowns, and the score is 13-13.

The Rebels had to settle for field goals of 28 and 26 yards by kicker Kyle Watson, the last for a 13-6 lead with 5:45 left.

Then Wyoming went 80 yards on eight plays to tie the game on quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels’ 19-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Brandon Stewart with 2:48 left. That was Wyoming’s first touchdown pass this season.

WYOMING’S BLOWN CHANCE

The Cowboys also had a big missed chance early. After UNLV center John Gianninoto snapped the ball over and to the side of quarterback Omar Clayton on the game’s first drive, the Cowboys got the ball at the Rebels’ 7, but had to settle for kicker Ian Watts’ 29-yard field goal.

GETTING ON THE FIELD

Rebels wide receiver Phillip Payne came down with the flu during the week, and safety Alex De Giacomo battled a hamstring injury. Both have played, with Payne catching a 13-yard pass for a first down on his first play.

CLOSE IN THE STATS, TOO

There is no separation on the scoreboard and little in the stat sheet

Wyoming outgained the Rebels 165 yards to 150, and had 10 first downs to UNLV’s nine.

Clayton is 10 of 21 for 103 yards, and had three passes batted down. Ryan Wolfe leads the receivers with four catches for 45 yards, and C.J. Cox and Channing Trotter each have 30 yards rushing.

Wyoming’s Carta-Samuels is 12 of 22 for 105 yards. Three receivers each have three receptions, with David Leonard leading with 41 yards. Alvester Alexander leads Cowboys rushers with 22 yards on five carries.