UNLV special teams errors help Utah win in runaway

SALT LAKE CITY -- How amazing that UNLV's only touchdown came on a blocked punt.

Amazing and perhaps ironic, because the Rebels spent most of the game against Utah on Saturday inventing new ways to break down on special teams.

The catalog of errors included a fumbled punt return, a punt return allowed for a touchdown, a snap over the punter's head, a long kickoff return called back by holding and kickoffs unwisely returned from the end zone.

Those unspecial plays turned a game that was statistically closer into a 38-10 rout by the Utes. The Mountain West Conference opener for both schools was the Rebels' last visit to Rice-Eccles Stadium before the Utes depart for the Pac-10 Conference next year.

"We gave ourselves a chance to be in the game, and we let it slip away," coach Bobby Hauck said. "It's bitterly disappointing."

The Rebels (0-2) put together a solid game plan against No. 20 Utah (2-0). They ran 79 plays to Utah's 48, totaled 18 first downs to the Utes' 14 and controlled the clock for 36:33.

Utah had a slight edge in total yards, 338-319, behind quarterback Terrance Cain. He completed 13 of 20 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns in place of usual starter Jordan Wynn, who was out with a sprained thumb on this throwing hand.

UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton, who completed 18 of 37 passes for 217 yards, was given the start over Mike Clausen, who didn't play. Clausen started the opener, but the competition was reopened last week.

Despite three Clayton-directed trips inside the red zone, the Rebels failed to score an offensive touchdown. They have only two offensive TDs so far.

"Driving the ball and not scoring points is just taking time off the clock," Clayton said. "I take responsibility for not getting the ball in the end zone."

UNLV's first venture beyond Utah's 20-yard line occurred in the first quarter. The Rebels put together a masterful 18-play, 79-yard drive that used up 9:15 and ended with kicker Nolan Kohorst's 28-yard field goal that tied the game at 3.

Trailing 10-3 late in the half, UNLV had a chance to get the ball and maybe chip into the lead before halftime. But Utah's Eddie Wide forced and recovered a fumble when he smashed into UNLV punt returner Sidney Hodge.

The Utes scored on the next play to go up 17-3 with 32 seconds left and change the game's complexion.

"It's just a bad play on my part," Hodge said.

Hodge's fumble was not only the turning point but underscored a miserable day on special teams that began with a 30-yard punt return that set up a Utah field goal in the first quarter.

On another play, a snap over Brendon Lamers' head forced him to chase down the ball and attempt a desperate punt that went for minus-20 yards.

UNLV's one notably positive special teams play occurred early in the third quarter when Nate Carter blocked a punt that Tim Hasson returned 19 yards for a touchdown to cut the Utes' lead to 24-10.

Linebacker Starr Fuimaono, who led UNLV with nine tackles and forced a fumble, called the special teams miscues "the game changer."

Hauck knows the Rebels can't afford to keep playing so poorly in that phase of the game, and they need to improve considerably beginning with their trip to Idaho on Saturday.

"We're not the type of team that can break even in the kicking game," Hauck said. "We have to win it."

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