Fresno State Cruises Past UNLV 38-14; Derek Carr sets more records

This matchup looked like a possible trap game coming into the week. Fresno State needed to come off their bye week sharp and avoid a letdown against a surging UNLV team. They did that in solid fashion.

The game began in auspicious fashion for Fresno State. The very first play of the game came on a 75 yard touchdown pass from Derek Carr to Davante Adams. Fresno State immediately forced a 3 and out with two sacks on Caleb Herring. This time, the scoring drive was more methodical, taking nearly 6 minutes off of the clock. The end result, however, was the same - a touchdown pass to Davante Adams, this time for 28 yards.

After another stop of UNLV late in the first quarter, Fresno State drove into hte next quarter and scored again on a Josh Quezada touchdown run to move the score to 21-0. UNLV got a breath of fresh air on the very next play, however, as a massive hole in the middle of the defense allowed Shaquille Murray-Lawrence to take a run 73 yards up the middle for a touchdown. Fresno State's answer? Yet another touchdown from Carr to Adams. The two teams traded unsuccessful drives and then a trick play for the 'Dogs went wrong, as Isaiah Burse was picked off in UNLV territory on a double pass. The Rebels took immediate advantage, driving downfield and scoring on a pass from Herring to Marcus Sullivan with a minute to go in the first half, closing the gap to 28-14. Fresno State had a chance to put some more points on the board with a quick drive into the red zone, but a broken pass play ran out the clock.

The second half was much less eventful and all Fresno State. The 'Dogs would score once more on yet another Davante Adams TD reception and add three more on a Colin McGuire field goal, both in the third quarter. Adams appeared to have a fifth TD, but it was negated by an offensive pass interference penalty. From there it was just grinding out the clock, with the final score Fresno State 38. UNLV 14. Carr finished 33 of 48 for 412 yards and four touchdowns. Davante Adams had 8 catches for an astounding 221 yards and caught all four of Carr's passing touchdowns.

Things of note:

• Derek Carr entered the game needing 33 completions and 3 passing touchdowns to break Paul Pinegar's Fresno State marks in that area. Obviously, he got both. The only remaining record for him to break is Kevin Sweeney's career passing mark of 10,623 passing yards. Carr currently has 10,036. At his current pace he will break it within two games
• Davante Adams tied the single-game receiving TD record for a bulldog at four. He also tied the school career receiving touchdown record at 25. He is only a redshirt sophomore.
• Fresno State RB Marteze Waller and UNLV RB Tim Cornett both left the game with injuries (ankle and knee respectively.
• Hall of fame basketball coach Jerry Tarkanian was honored during the first quarter. Tarkanian coached at both Fresno State and UNLV.

Fresno State travels to San Diego State next week. UNLV faces in-state rival Nevada.