Utah leads after first quarter
Utah grabs the lead
After a turnover and a punt on its first two drives, Utah went to a hurry-up, no-huddle offense and went right down the field to grab a 7-3 over UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Aiona Key made a spectacular one-handed catch along the sideline in the end zone on a fade pass from Terrance Cain for the Utes.
Key was interfered with on the play, so it would have been a first down anyway. The score came after UNLV failed to get the ball in the end zone after achieving a first-and-goal inside the 5-yard line.
UNLV is on the move as the second quarter begins. On the final play of the first quarter, Omar Clayton completed a 44-yard pass to Michael Johnson down to the Utah 9-yard line.
Good Start
The much-maligned UNLV defense needed to make a play early in the game to start to regain some semblance of confidence. Mission accomplished. The Rebels forced a fumble on Utah’s first offensive snap and set the offense up in great field position inside the red zone. Unfortunately, the drive stalled and UNLV had to settle for a 21-yard Kyle Watson field goal. The defense again stepped up, forcing a three-and-out on Utah’s second drive.
Plenty of Rest
The field goal by Kyle Watson was his first since the first half of the game at Wyoming three weeks ago. The Rebels scored four touchdowns against UNR and three against BYU, but had not made a field goal since Sept. 26.
Long Drought
UNLV has not won on Homecoming since 2001. It is not expected to do so tonight, either. UNLV is a 17-point underdog to Utah, but is playing very competitively wih the Utes thus far.
