Louisiana Tech pulls away in second half, trounces UNLV 58-31

It was the third game in a row the Bulldogs (5-0) scored at least 31 points during a stretch. They used their run against UNLV (1-5) after the Rebels closed to within 27-24 early in the second half.

Louisiana Tech has scored more than 50 points in four games and more than 40 in all five. The Bulldogs finished with 622 yards, and Kenneth Dixon rushed for four touchdowns.

UNLV’s Nick Sherry completed 22 of 46 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns, and Devante Davis caught eight passes for 186 yards. Tim Cornett rushed for 111 yards on 23 carries.

The Rebels next play UNR at noon Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

THIRD QUARTER REPORT

Kenneth Dixon rushed for touchdowns of 10 and 15 yards, and Louisiana Tech added a field goal to score the final 17 points in the third quarter and take control with a 44-24 lead over UNLV.

The Rebels opened the second half with Nick Sherry’s 46-yard scoring pass to Marcus Sullivan to come within 27-24.

They wasted two other chances, however. UNLV went for a fake field goal near midfield that was stopped, and Sullivan dropped what would’ve been a 69-yard touchdown pass despite not having a defender near him.

HALFTIME REPORT

UNLV moved the ball, but key mistakes helped Louisiana Tech take a 27-17 lead at halftime.

The Bulldogs actually led 27-7, but UNLV scored 10 points in the final 5:32 to pull within 10.

UNLV’s Devante Davis caught seven passes for 180 yards and a touchdown in the first half. His yardage total already is the 13th highest in school history for a game.

He caught a 27-yard scoring pass and later a 67-yard pass to set up a field goal to key the Rebels’ late burst.

UNLV could have made the game even closer, if not for a fumble in Louisiana Tech territory, a blocked punt and a questionable spot on a fourth-and-1 at the Bulldogs’ 2-yard line.

FIRST QUARTER REPORT

Louisiana Tech used a fumble and blocked punt to score two quick touchdowns and take a 20-7 lead over UNLV after the first quarter.

The Rebels went in front 7-3 with 9:42 left in the period when Nick Sherry threw into triple coverage and somehow completed a 33-yard pass to tight end Taylor Barnhill.

UNLV’s defense stiffened twice early, holding the Bulldogs to a pair of field goals.

But then came the fumble and blocked punt, which Louisiana Tech turned into two short touchdowns for the 13-point advantage.

PREGAME REPORT

RUSTON, La. – UNLV completes its nonconference schedule today with a 4 p.m. PDT game at Louisiana Tech.

The Bulldogs (4-0) average 52 points per game, but they also give up 37 points on average.

Still, UNLV (1-4) is a substantial underdog, at 27 1/2 points.

Even if the Rebels don’t do much as a team, they can make strides with some individual achievements.

Nick Sherry needs 51 yards to move into third place alone on the school’s freshman passing list.

Tim Cornett is 26 yards from moving into 10th on the career rushing list and 126 from ninth. He also needs one touchdown to tie for sixth on the all-time chart.