Payne snags TD catch record

But he is the Rebels’ best receiver for a reason, and Payne’s two touchdown catches in a 38-35 win over Colorado State on Saturday gave him a school-record 25 career TD receptions.

Payne broke the record that belonged to Henry Bailey, who caught 24 touchdown passes from 1991 to 1994.

“It feels good,” Payne said. “It feels even better to get it with a win, so I’m excited.”

Payne finished with three receptions for 48 yards, giving him 29 catches for 385 yards and six TDs this season.

The senior’s first touchdown reception against the Rams was an 8-yarder over a defender in the back of the end zone that gave UNLV a 17-13 lead 14 seconds before halftime.

Payne’s second TD was a 31-yarder late in the third quarter in which he was open by about 15 yards. He couldn’t remember ever being that open.

“Not even in high school,” Payne said. “It was crazy. The corner just bit.”

■ GETTING PRESSURE — James Dunlap made a strong case for Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week. He made seven tackles, including 4½ for loss and two sacks. Dunlap also forced a fumble

For the season, he has nine tackles for loss, including 4½ sacks, and three forced fumbles.

“I now only have five games left in my career,” Dunlap said. “I want to step it up the rest of the season and leave something behind for these young guys to follow.”

Dunlap was part of an overall defensive effort that gave up plays but made them as well.

Colorado State gained 480 yards, including 250 rushing, but UNLV registered nine tackles for loss, four sacks, two fumble recoveries, a game-saving interception and five pass breakups.

■ ANOTHER 100 – Freshman Dionza Bradford put together his second 100-yard rushing game in a row and scored his first career touchdown.

He gained 122 yards on 21 carries, scoring on a 1-yard run early in the fourth quarter.

Bradford thought he had scored on the previous play on a burst from the Rams’ 46-yard line, but the touchdown was reversed on replay. Bradford was ruled down just short of the goal line.

So Bradford wanted the ball again.

“Yeah, I wanted to get in,” he said.

He got the ball on the next play and reached the end zone.

“He can celebrate twice,” coach Bobby Hauck said.

UNLV rushed for 244 yards, its most since gaining 275 against San Diego State in 2007.

Starting running back Tim Cornett had 67 yards on 11 carries, but didn’t play after suffering a twisted ankle in the second quarter.

“I think he’ll be OK, but he was limping around,” Hauck said.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.