Idaho drops UNLV to 0-3 with 30-7 victory at Kibbie Dome

The Rebels were so thoroughly embarrassed Saturday night — at least in the first half when the outcome was somewhat in doubt — it was difficult to tell they had supposedly taken a step down in competition from opening opponents Wisconsin and Utah.

This is the job Bobby Hauck and Idaho’s Robb Akey wanted?

Akey can be thankful for not getting what he wished for when UNLV’s job came open following last season, because his Vandals ripped right through the Rebels for a 30-7 victory at the Kibbie Dome, and they have realistic hopes to make something of their season.

The Rebels (0-3) were so soundly beaten by Idaho (2-1), UNLV probably can’t assume there are any gimme wins on its schedule, including this week’s home game against New Mexico, one of the country’s two or three worst teams.

After going 80-17 at Montana, Hauck was hired to turn around UNLV’s long-suffering program, but as this game showed, he’s no longer coaching in the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly Division I-AA). This was such a humiliating loss, it’s difficult not to question the program’s direction, even only three games into Hauck’s stay.

"We’re 0-3. You aren’t going to be real confident at 0-3, that’s for sure," Hauck said. "We’ve got to go back to work. There is no magic. We’ve got to go back to work, and we’ve got to get better. That’s as simple as it can be."

Hauck was disappointed the Rebels fared poorly against a team without a huge physical advantage over his team.

"They didn’t do a lot that surprised us," he said. "I thought we would match up a bit better with our front against their defensive front and their pressure, but we didn’t (the Rebels allowed six sacks)."

Idaho took a 24-0 halftime lead that could have been even more onesided if not for an interception by Rebels cornerback Will Chandler in the end zone late in the second quarter. It was his fourth takeaway of the season. A UNLV goal-line stand early in the third quarter prevented another score.

The Vandals rolled up 274 yards and 16 first downs in the first half, compared with UNLV’s 64 yards and four first downs.

Idaho had an apparent letdown in the second half, but still finished with substantial leads in yards (326-186) and first downs (19-11).

The Vandals physically dominated the Rebels, and did seemingly anything they wanted. It was a mismatch from the start when the Vandals went 69 yards in 14 plays, taking 6:31 off the clock to take a 7-0 lead on Deonte Jackson’s 1-yard touchdown run.

Hauck’s signature is special teams play, and for the second week in a row UNLV was terrible in that area with another questionable decision by Hauck.

He ordered a fake punt from Idaho’s 42-yard line in the second quarter, but called for punter Brendon Lamers to run with the ball. Lamers never had a chance and was dropped for a 2-yard loss.

UNLV’s return specialists also again repeatedly brought kicks out from the end zone.

But the Rebels’ problems go well beyond special teams.

Quarterback Omar Clayton failed to build on his promising performance from a week ago at Utah. He completed 3 of 8 passes for 42 yards, and was sacked three times as the line struggled to pass and run block.

Redshirt freshman Caleb Herring replaced Clayton with 8:06 left in the third quarter and took his first college snaps. Herring completed 4 of 7 passes for 86 yards and the team’s first interception of the season.

But Herring also completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to diving wide receiver Phillip Payne with 1:19 remaining to end a seven-quarter streak without a UNLV offensive touchdown.

"The situation called for it, so I was ready," Herring said. "I’ve been practicing for it all week, so I came into the game expecting to get in."

UNLV still doesn’t have an effective running game, netting 58 yards. The Rebels’ leading rusher, Channing Trotter, gained 61 yards on 15 carries.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.