Decker’s flings show zing in return
UNLV coach Tony Sanchez didn’t want to look back, and who could blame him?
Looking back creates only pain about what could have been.
If quarterback Blake Decker hadn’t been injured, the Rebels probably would be in great position to make a bowl run. At least if he played the way he did in Saturday’s 55-27 loss to Boise State at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Decker didn’t look rusty after sitting out the previous 2½ games because of a dislocated shoulder, completing 29 of 50 passes for 357 yards. He threw two interceptions, but both occurred in the fourth quarter when the Rebels were in desperation mode.
“We did a lot of good things throwing the ball today,” Decker said. “That’s something we struggled with the last three of four weeks, even before my injury. This whole week, we prepared on coming out and chucking the ball and extending plays downfield. I think our receivers did a good job of going up and making plays for us.”
The loss dropped UNLV to 2-6, so any chance of making the postseason is virtually nil. Without Decker, the Rebels lost fourth-quarter leads to San Jose State and at Fresno State, losing both games and derailing what could have been a magical season.
All the Rebels can do now is move forward, beginning with next Saturday’s game against Hawaii at Sam Boyd Stadium.
For Decker, his performance against Boise State is one to build on. Because of last week’s bye, he had extra time to work with the receivers and took advantage of it.
“I think it (helped), but I don’t think there’s any substitution for actual game feel and game experience,” Decker said.
He moved into ninth place on the Rebels’ career passing chart with 3,895 yards, moving ahead of Steve Stallworth, who had 3,789 from 1983 to 1986.
BIG IMPRESSION — Boise State coach Bryan Harsin was complimentary of the job Sanchez has done in his first season at UNLV.
“You listen to Coach Sanchez talk about his team, that they fight hard regardless of their record, that they come out and practice hard,” Harsin said. “All of that was true. I thought those guys did a nice job, and they came out firing on offense.”
The Rebels have been competitive throughout the season and have had chances to win at least three other times.
“UNLV is better than their record,” Harsin said. “They’re faster, and they had their bye week. The freshness from their team showed today, and I thought our guys battled and fought, and we could have taken advantage of a few more things.”
BY THE NUMBERS — Quarterback Brett Rypien’s 469 yards passing were the most by a Mountain West and Boise State freshman. That broke the previous conference record of 433 yards by San Diego State’s Ryan Lindley against Idaho in 2008. The Boise State record belonged to Kellen Moore, who threw for 414 in 2008 against UNR. … Safety Peni Vea became the fourth UNLV player to reach 300 career tackles and the first defensive back to hit that mark. Vea has 303 tackles, which is 31 from second place, but Adam Seward’s record 433 stops between 2001 and 2004 is out of reach. … The Rebels picked up their third defensive score of the season when cornerback Fred Wilson picked up a fumble and returned it 1 yard for a touchdown. They also had the unusual touchdown by an offensive lineman when guard Eric Noone recovered a fumble in the end zone.
— Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him: @markanderson65
