REBELS TRAIL AFTER ONE QUARTER
The lone touchdown of the first quarter came on a reverse with just over five minutes to play.
New Mexico receiver Bryant Williams took the ball around the right side and streaked 40 yards down the sideline untouched for the score.
The Rebels answered with a 52-yard Ben Jaekle field goal to cut the Lobos’ lead to 7-3 at the end of the period.
New Mexico ended the quarter with the ball in UNLV territory after a muffed punt by Michael Johnson with less than a minute remaining.
Mike Clausen has been serviceable in his first start in place of the injured Omar Clayton. The redshirt freshman completed 3 of 7 attempts for 58 yards, and he ran for 25 yards in the opening quarter.
New Mexico’s only completion of the first quarter went for a 6-yard loss, but the Lobos had 84 rushing yards on eight carries.
IT’S BEEN AWHILE
Jaekle’s field goal was the first successful kick in the last 19 quarters for UNLV.
QUESTIONABLE DECISION EARLY
Mike Clausen made a great scramble and throw to Phillip Payne on a third-and-long to get the ball down to the New Mexico 28-yard line on the Rebels’ first drive of the game.
From there, UNLV faced a fourth-and-5. Mike Sanford opted to send out Ben Jaekle to attempt a 45-yard field goal.
He missed it wide right.
The real question is why was he even on the field to begin with. Clausen looked good on the drive and had just made a great play.
Show some confidence in the kid and go for it on fourth down. What do you really have to lose?
UNM COORDINATORS CLOSE TO THE ACTION
New Mexico’s coaching staff has always been known for the unorthodox defenses it designs.
The coaches also have a bit of a different arrangement during the games.
The offensive and defensive coordinators for the Lobos are on the field.
UNLV, like most teams, has both coordinators stationed in the booth.
