Rebels wait too long to get moving
UNLV showed heart and determination in the second half, making a strong rally after all seemed hopeless.
The problem was the first half, when the Rebels looked flatter than anything served at IHOP.
UNLV fell behind by three touchdowns to San Diego State, and even an impressive run over the final 30 minutes was not enough to overcome the deficit in a 38-30 loss at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday.
The loss was the sixth straight for the Rebels (2-8, 1-5 Mountain West Conference). The odds of them finally surpassing two victories in a season for the first time since 2003 do not look good because they face season-ending trips to Texas Christian and New Mexico the next two weeks.
The game against the Aztecs (4-5, 3-2) looked like UNLV’s last hope to clear that two-win obstacle. Instead, the Rebels lost a home game in which they were favored for the second consecutive time. They were blown out 48-23 by Colorado State on Oct. 20.
Saturday’s game wasn’t a blowout, though it started that way with San Diego State scoring on its first three drives to take a 21-0 lead into halftime.
The combination of tailback Frank Summers and quarterback Travis Dixon led UNLV’s comeback. The Rebels got as close as 28-23 and trailed by eight when they got one last-gasp drive. But Dixon’s pass over the middle was picked off, and Aztecs safety Martrell Fantroy returned it 55 yards for a touchdown to end any doubts.
Even so, Dixon trimmed the Aztecs’ lead to 38-30 with a 36-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Rodelin Anthony with seven seconds left.
Dixon was playing in place of starter Omar Clayton, who left the game late in the first quarter after breaking his right (throwing) hand. Dixon completed 13 of 22 passes for 185 yards and three touchdowns.
Summers rushed for 187 yards on 26 carries. It was his first 100-yard game since Oct. 6 at Air Force and his highest output since gaining 190 yards Sept. 22 against Utah.
But UNLV was completely outclassed in the first half, and that was the difference.
San Diego State quarterback Kevin O’Connell completed all 11 passes for 141 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. He did not throw an incompletion until his second pass of the third quarter.
Though not as sharp in the second half, O’Connell finished 17 of 23 for 196 yards and two touchdowns.
UNLV FootballSAN DIEGO STATE – 38 UNLV – 30 KEY: San Diego State bolted to a 21-0 lead behind quarterback Kevin O’Connell, who completed all 11 of his pass attempts in the first half. NEXT: UNLV at Texas Christian, 4:30 p.m. Saturday, KBAD-AM (920)
