Wyoming wobbles UNLV

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LARAMIE, Wyo. — UNLV tailback Channing Trotter sensed at the hotel that some teammates were too relaxed.

End/linebacker Jason Beauchamp said some Rebels were “a little comfortable” and looking ahead to next week’s game at UNR “to where they were bypassing Wyoming.”

“I knew it was going to be a really good game as far as (us winning) comfortably or a really bad one,” Beauchamp said. “It ended up being really bad.”

The Rebels were beaten 30-27 on Saturday by a Wyoming team that had gone 10 quarters without an offensive touchdown before scoring three in the final three quarters behind a freshman quarterback making his first start.

UNLV left War Memorial Stadium with its road losing streak against Mountain West Conference opponents stretched to a school-record 20 games. This game was the conference opener for both teams, and each is 2-2.

The Rebels were in position to tie the game at 30-all with 1:19 left, but a fumbled snap prevented a 50-yard field-goal attempt by Kyle Watson.

“We had opportunities to win the game, and we didn’t play well enough to win,” coach Mike Sanford said in a low, even voice and with the facial expression of a witness to a car accident. “On this day, they played better than us.”

Next up is a visit to UNR followed by home games against Brigham Young and Utah.

In theory, UNLV shouldn’t have difficulty getting up for those opponents. But then, they shouldn’t have had trouble getting enthused to play Wyoming, not with such an embarrassing road streak hanging around their necks.

“Some of the guys were laughing a little too much, and it kind of bothered me,” said Trotter, who rushed for 90 yards and an 18-yard touchdown. “I probably should’ve said something, being a leader on this team, but I sat back and hoped the play would take care of itself.”

Quarterback Omar Clayton and wide receiver Ryan Wolfe, however, disputed there was a lack of seriousness.

Defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell said only the players know for sure, but the third-year coach said, “I don’t think we’ve proven anything around here since I’ve been here to be overconfident.”

On three trips to the 10-yard line, the Rebels came away with two field goals and an interception.

“If we don’t make those mistakes, then I feel the game is in our hands,” said Wolfe, who caught eight passes for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Clayton completed 26 of 43 passes for 260 yards with two interceptions. He also injured his right shoulder, but said it didn’t appear serious.

Wyoming freshman Austyn Carta-Samuels completed 24 of 37 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He rallied the Cowboys from a 27-20 deficit in the fourth quarter. Ian Watts’ 28-yard field goal with 4:21 left provided the decisive points.

The Rebels reached Wyoming’s 28, and on a fourth-and-3 decided to attempt a 45-yard field goal with 1:19 left. Watson’s career long is 39 yards, but he had a nearly 30 mph wind at his back.

UNLV, however, was called for a delay of game after taking a timeout.

“I take full responsibility for the delay of game,” Sanford said. “That’s a mistake on my part.”

So the Rebels lined up for a 50-yarder, but holder Brendon Lamers mishandled the snap, and Wyoming took over.

“I didn’t see that the game was going to be that close that we’d have to kick a field goal at the end to tie,” Sanford said.

Now it’s a matter of whether there will be lingering effects from this loss.

“That’s very important to me,” Sanford said. “We’ve got a huge game this week. We’ve got to come back.”

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.