Four UNLV players tested positive for COVID-19, resulting in the first cancellation for the Rebels this season and the second for Colorado State.
Jason Orts
Jason Orts is a born-and-raised Texan who has more than a decade of experience covering high school sports there. The last six of those came as the high school sports coordinator at the Waco Tribune-Herald, where he also covered a myriad of Baylor University sports. Orts was the sports editor of the University Star at Texas State University prior to beginning his professional career.
A report Tuesday said UNLV’s football game against Colorado State on Saturday has been canceled, but was later updated to say it has not been.
The Rebels fell to 0-4 with a loss to San Jose State on Saturday, but the Rebels are taking steps in the right direction, according to first-year coach Marcus Arroyo.
The Rebels fell to 0-4 for the first time since 2004, losing to San Jose State in coach Marcus Arroyo’s return to CEFCU Stadium, where he played quarterback from 1998 to 2002.
Jacoby Windmon, a sophomore who plays a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position, leads the Rebels with 3.5 sacks after three games. UNLV had 12 in the 2019 season.
The UNLV women’s basketball team signed five players in the early signing period, including two ranked in the top 70 nationally, in coach Lindy La Rocque’s first class.
Bishop Gorman boys guard Zaon Collins will play at UNLV, Gaels boys guard Will McClendon will head to UCLA and Centennial girls guard Taylor Bigby will go to Oregon.
Reed Schaefer and Jacob Walsh helped Desert Oasis win a state title in 2019, but they will be Pac-12 opponents in college after signing national letters of intent Wednesday.
It’s a tradition for high schools to have a ceremony when an athlete signs a national letter of intent. But the coronavirus pandemic has forced a change in plans at most schools.
UNLV is 0-3 for the first time since 2015, but coach Marcus Arroyo is encouraged by some signs of the culture shift he sees within the program.
The Rebels set season highs with 242 yards rushing and 402 total yards and were 11 of 20 on third downs and 2 of 2 on fourth downs Saturday against Fresno State.
The Rebels turned the ball over three times in the second half, including two fourth-quarter interceptions that thwarted any hopes of a comeback Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.
The Rebels have struggled to produce long rushing or passing plays in their first two games. They will get another chance Saturday when they host Fresno State.
The Rebels, who have five true freshmen on the depth chart in the secondary, have allowed 35.5 points and 460.5 yards per game in an 0-2 start to the season.
UNLV’s quarterback battle probably will last the entire season, even though senior Max Gilliam played the entire game in a 37-19 loss to UNR on Saturday.