Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Air Force Falcons wide receiver Ronald Cleveland (3) is upended by UNLV Rebels defensive back Jericho Flowers (7) and defensive lineman Roger Mann (56) in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; UNLV Rebels wide receiver Devonte Boyd (83) before the game against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; UNLV Rebels linebacker Gabe McCoy (25) pushes Air Force Falcons wide receiver Ronald Cleveland (3) out of bounds in the first quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; UNLV Rebels running back Lexington Thomas (3) runs for a touchdown in the first quarter against the Air Force Falcons at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; UNLV Rebels linebacker Gabe McCoy (25) and Air Force Falcons wide receiver Geraud Sanders (7) dive for a loose ball in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Air Force Falcons wide receiver Garrett Amy (84) is tackled by Air Force Falcons linebacker Jack Flor (50) and defensive back James Jones IV (4) in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; UNLV Rebels linebacker Farrell Hester II (53) picks up a fumble ahead of Air Force Falcons quarterback Arion Worthman (2) in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; UNLV Rebels quarterback Armani Rogers (1) is tied up by Air Force Falcons defensive back Jeremy Fejedelem (27) as linebacker Shaquille Vereen (6) defends in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; UNLV Rebels quarterback Armani Rogers (1) runs the ball as Air Force Falcons linebacker Shaquille Vereen (6) defends in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
A ribbon inscribed with the words Las Vegas is illuminated on the back of the helmet of UNLV offensive lineman Andrew Erbes to commemorate the victims of the shooting massacre, as players warm up before the first half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers, left, throws a pass over Air Force defensive lineman Santo Coppola during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Air Force linebacker Lakota Wills celebrates after intercepting a pass thrown by UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers, top, is tripped up by Air Force linebacker Jack Flor for a short gain in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers, center, is stopped short of a touchdown run by Air Force defensive backs Jeremy Fejedelem, left, and Kyle Floyd in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers, front, breaks away from Air Force defensive lineman Micah Capra for a short gain in the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UNLV defensive lineman Mike Hughes Jr. wears a shirt with a message of support for the victims of the massacre in Las Vegas as he warms up before an NCAA college football game against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez directs his players as they warm up before an NCAA college football game against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Oct 14, 2017; Colorado Springs, CO, USA; Air Force Falcons wide receiver Ronald Cleveland (3) is upended by UNLV Rebels defensive back Jericho Flowers (7) and defensive lineman Roger Mann (56) in the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
Air Force quarterback Arion Worthman, front, celebrates after rushing for the go-ahead touchdown against UNLV Rebels late in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 34-30. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UNLV defensive back Chauncey Scissum, left, pushes Air Force wide receiver Garrett Amy out of bounds after a short gain in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 34-30. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Air Force quarterback Arion Worthman runs untouched into the end zone for a touchdown against UNLV Rebels in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 34-30. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
UNLV cornerback Jocquez Khalili, front, picks up a fumble from Air Force running back Nolan Eriksen in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 14, 2017, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Air Force won 34-30. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — UNLV came out smoking Saturday, dominating the first half.
Then the second half began.
All the good the Rebels did in the first 30 minutes was quickly forgotten, and they spent the second half trying to survive as Air Force stormed back to stun UNLV 34-30 at Falcon Stadium.
UNLV doesn’t keep the record, but losing the 27-point lead is believed to be the largest in school history. The Rebels led 27-0 late in the first half, but were outscored 34-3 the rest of the way. They also outgained Air Force 248 yards to 76 while building the big lead, but were outgained 397-163 after that.
“We played a good first half,” UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said. “We played a poor second half. We didn’t execute on a high level. Had an opportunity to end the game and win. You’ve got to go back to work. That’s all you can do.”
Air Force quarterback Arion Worthman’s 1-yard touchdown run with 2:14 left provided the winning points.
It’s a crushing blow to the Rebels (2-4, 1-2 Mountain West), who appeared to be well on their way to an easy victory and halfway to bowl eligibility. Instead of dreams about the postseason, this is a loss that could have an impact that lasts well beyond this weekend.
UNLV next plays Utah State at 3 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.
The victory ended a four-game losing streak for Air Force (2-4, 1-2).
More Rebels: Follow all of our UNLV coverage online at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJRebels on Twitter.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.