Game Recap: Wisconsin Dismantles UNLV On National TV, 51-17

by rebelfan1 on Sep 1, 2011 10:08 PM PDT in UNLV Football

Final - 9.1.2011	1	2	3	4	Total
UNLV Rebels	0	3	7	7	17
Wisconsin Badgers	20	17	14	0	51

Complete Coverage >

UNLV Defense struggles in horrible showing by Rebels against 11th ranked Badgers.

This was expected. The line in Vegas was set at 35.5 for a reason. Yet somehow, it's disappointing to see as a UNLV fan. As a fan of your team, you expect more out of your team, no matter what the rest of the world expects. Well, the good news for Rebel fans is that the team did perform above expectations, but only on offense. The defense was atrocious, allowing 37 points by halftime and the Badgers to get to 51 points with seven minutes left in the third quarter before Wisconsin finally put in their backups.

The score may not show it, but the UNLV offense was very successful against Wisconsin's defense this game. In the first half, UNLV gained over 100 yards on the ground and Caleb Herring threw for just over 50 yards and the Rebels consistently were within 30 yards of the endzone, only to have a penalty or a bad play stint the drive. UNLV was able to finish two of those drives off for touchdowns in the second half to sneak and cover a game where they most likely should not have.

Not noticed by most people was that Caleb Herring had a very good game, going 18-27 throwing for 146 yards and 2 TD's. Not bad for a Sophomore quarterback making his first career start on the road in front of 77,000 screaming fans. The running game also did well on the night, although the stats don't reflect it. On 6-8 occasions, UNLV ran for 7 or more yards and UNLV's offensive line was able to set up some great blocks. That is a huge change from last season where the running game was atrocious for the Rebels.

For Wisconsin, new starting quarterback Russell Wilson had a great first game, throwing for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns as well as rushing for 62 yards and touchdown. Montee Ball had 63 yards and 3 TD's and James White added 64 yards and a TD as well.

Some of the struggles for UNLV's defense could have been credited to mismatches. Wisconsin has a juggernaut of an offense this year, with two amazing running backs, a great dual-threat QB, massive offensive line, and an experienced receiving corps. Hopefully Wisconsin was just the perfect storm to destroy UNLV's defense and they should be able to play better in coming games.

If UNLV's offense plays the way it did today against any team not with the caliber of defense that Wisconsin has, then I could see this offense thriving under new quarterback Caleb Herring. If UNLV wants to take anything out of this, it was that the offense was much more successful than in any game last season against opponents not named Wyoming or New Mexico.

Follow Mountain West Connection for more news around the clock via twitter, facebook, and now google plus.

Follow rebelfan1 via twitter and facebook for information on UNLV and the Mountain West Conference.

Tweet Comment 6 comments | Add comment | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

at least they covered the point spread. i was kinda amazed bret bilema put in his second string.

i thought he might run up the score more. dan mullen at miss. state sure did.

Public Enemy #1 and enjoying every minute of it. College Football for the next 4 and 1/2 months!

by wolfmanshowlforever on Sep 2, 2011 3:20 AM PDT reply actions

offense

So we both thought Hauck was moving to the pro-style offense he ran at Montana? They sprrad it out and even ran the pistol with moderate success.

Follow me on twitter! | Mountain West Connection | SB Nation Denver

by Jeremy Mauss on Sep 2, 2011 6:26 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

I think that was just a situational decision.

Going to a pro style would have allowed for Wisconsin to crowd the box and get more pressure on Herring or blow up running plays.

Mountain West Connection - All you need to know about the Mountain West and then some.
Stampede Blue - An Indianapolis Colts blog.
Bright Side of the Sun - Dedicated to Phoenix Suns basketball since 2006.

Twitter: @rebelfan1_

by rebelfan1 on Sep 2, 2011 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I see

Follow me on twitter! | Mountain West Connection | SB Nation Denver

by Jeremy Mauss on Sep 2, 2011 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, it was not all downhill

and they shuold be able to get better defensively. Glad I didn’t bet against them or I’d be p***** right now.

Teamwork is what the Green Bay Packers were all about. They didn't do it for individual glory. They did it because they loved one another.---Vince Lombardi

by bluesyourdaddy on Sep 2, 2011 8:22 AM PDT reply actions