UNLV Running Rebels

UNLV Earns Place on John Clay's Highlight Reel

August 28, 2010

Game Report Posted: September 25, 2010 07:18  

Sam Boyd Stadium was sold out Saturday afternoon. Single game tickets, usually $11, were a record face value of $75. Wisconsin must be in town. The Rebels have only sold out four games here since their inception in 1968. All four games were against Wisconsin. At least this time, the Rebs' made a game of it.
Early on, it looked like more of the same old Badger bowl. On the opening possesion, UNLV QB Omar Clayton was sacked, then after a punt John Clay scored the first of his two touchdown's from 78 yards out to give Wisconsin a 7-0 lead. The rebs would answer, on a Ben Jaekle 21 yard FG. End of the first quarter, UNLV is only down 7-3. John Clay went over the 100 yard mark on his 7th carry early in the 2nd quarter, but the drive only mounted three points, mainly due to the fact that the badgers decided to run from the gun. This isn't real life, and the spread won't get you yards on the ground, even against the likes of a bad MWC team. After forcing a three and out for the second series in a row in the third quarter, the rebels drove the length of the field in 12 plays, only to see wideout Phillip Payne drop an easy TD. Jaekle nailed the easy kick, and the rebs were within 4. The ensuing Wiscy possesion saw Dan Mareko register his first sack of the season, forcing a punt and the rebs went to the run game. Trotter ran for a first down, and then asked for a breather, which lead to a 4th and 1 from their own 44. Coach Lester decided to go for it, but his hesitation cost him, as the play clock expired and he decided to punt.
John Clay eclipsed the 200 yard mark on the next drive, putting the game away, 17-6. On the last gasp, Channing Trotter got behind the Badger defense only to have Clayton overthrow him by ten yards. The Rebels travel to Utah to take on the Utes next Saturday.

Too Soon for the True Freshman?

September 4, 2010

Game Report Posted: September 25, 2010 09:06  

True frosh, Taylor Barnhill's first collegiete pass? He was sacked. On his second drive, he lead the rebels on 7

play 78 yard drive that ended with a TD pass to TE Anthony Vidal. I hate that NCAA doesn't show the name of the

player with the ball for the opposing team. Their is just no way I can memorize the names for teams like Utah.

I'm lucky to figure who has the ball for UNLV. We lead 7-0 at the end of the 1st quarter. At the 5 minute mark

of the 2nd quarter, Barnhill's squiggly lines were now static. After two completions to Mark Barefield, Barnhill

went 5 wide on 3rd down, stepped up into the pocket, then scrambled to avoid pressure and get the pass off. It

was incomplete, but he is impressive enough that their is no way we can put Clayton back in the game. After

another impressive drive lead by TB, Jaekle missed his second FG of the afternoon. Two plays later, Starr

Fuimaono forced a fumble and we recovered. Three and out. And just when we think we are going to lead at Utah at

halftime, Matt Asiata runs 80 yards for a TD. He broke two tackles, then somehow emerged from a scrum to keep

running all the way to paydirt. Barnhill gets sacked on a hail mary, which happens alot in coach mode, and we're

tied at the half, 7-7. TB is 9-16, with 156 yards and 1 TD. The utes have one first down and only 119 yards of

total offense. A healthy dose of Asiata in the 2nd half will be tough to stop.

Opening play of the 3rd, they fumbled we recover inside the 10, but the call is reversed. Then they fumble for

real and the rebs are in b'ness at the 26. Sack, incomplete and TB is hurt. Clayton comes in and throws a pick.

Barnhill is ok, we trade punts then Phillips hits a 23 yard FG and Utah is up 10-7. We go 3 and out, Cain leads

the utes on a 60 yard drive that ends with a TD toss to Fitzgerald. 17-7 Utes. TB is sacked, fumbles, sacked

again, they add two FG's and the final is 23-7. The rebs are off to Moscow to take on the vandals. Ivan Kolaf

will be grunting the National Anthem. I'm just not sure which one.