Rebels easily clear hurdle

Not that the Rebels haven’t had chances before, but whether it was missing a chip-shot field goal or allowing a punt return for a touchdown, UNLV always found a way to come up short.

This time, UNLV did the job, methodically downing the Rams 35-16 on Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium to keep its bowl chances alive.

"It was a great thing, and I think it shows that we are making progress," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said of the Rebels ending their home skid against the Rams.

Colorado State had owned a 6-0-1 record against the Rebels here. Now the Rams (3-7, 0-6 Mountain West Conference) must look toward next season after being eliminated from bowl contention.

UNLV (4-6, 2-4) still has hopes of making the postseason but faces what would seem to be a difficult trip to Air Force (6-4, 4-2) next Saturday. The Rebels must win that game and Nov. 28 at home against San Diego State to become eligible.

They did what they had to against the Rams despite holding the ball for only 22 minutes.

UNLV did a lot with the plays it had, and quarterback Omar Clayton was sharp, especially in the first half, completing 10 of 17 passes for 147 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. He also rushed for 44 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown.

The Rebels rushed for 174 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry while spreading the carries. Tailback Channing Trotter led UNLV with 45 yards and a touchdown on six carries.

"I feel as an entire offense, we did a really good job," Clayton said. "We had the running game going. It was real solid."

But most of the statistics favored the Rams, who outgained UNLV 424 yards to 321. Colorado State had 26 first downs to the Rebels’ 20.

Some of that edge was misleading. Colorado State picked up 171 yards in the fourth quarter when the Rebels had a sizable lead.

UNLV made the plays it had to, most notably ending a 29-quarter streak without an interception when safety Marquel Martin grabbed a pick early in the fourth quarter. The Rebels had just two before the game, which was last in the country.

Martin’s interception set up the second of backup quarterback Mike Clausen’s 5-yard scoring runs. This one with 11:10 left gave the Rebels a 28-10 lead, nearly insurmountable given Colorado State’s offensive woes to that point.

The Rams had their problems even before kickoff. They were in the bottom half of the MWC in most statistical categories and coping with a quarterback controversy on top of it.

Colorado State played two QBs, and Grant Stucker and Jon Eastman combined to complete 20 of 37 passes for 200 yards but without any touchdowns.

Not that UNLV should have to apologize for this victory. The Rebels were in control after grabbing momentum late in the first half.

The Rams made the score 7-7 with 1:49 left when UNLV answered by driving 72 yards in 49 seconds. Clayton ended the drive by throwing a 13-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Jerriman Robinson with 54 seconds left for a 14-7 left.

The Rebels extended the lead to 21-7 on the first drive of the second half, and the Rams never got to within a possession of the advantage.

"The best thing about us was the efficiency on offense," Sanford said. "I thought our guys played hard. They played hungry, like we expected."

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