UNLV Defeats Instate Rival Nevada 27-22

Bobby Hauck might have just saved his job. For the first time in his tenure, and for the first time in eight years, UNLV has beat their instate rival Nevada. With the win UNLV has improved to 5-3 (3-1 in conference) on the year and is now just one game away from becoming bowl eligible.

On the other side, Nevada coach Brian Polian is making no friends in Reno after losing to the Rebels. The Wolf Pack have fallen to 3-5 (2-3 in conference) and does not look like a team that should play in a bowl game.

This game was competitive throughout, and was more of an offensive game than the score may show. Both teams had similar offensive number with 484 yards for the Rebels and 487 for the Wolf Pack. UNLV had a slight 149-130 edge in rushing while Nevada had the slight 357-335 edge in passing. The big difference was the Wolf Pack turned the ball over one more time than the Rebels, and had was penalized 10 more times for 70 yards.

The defenses, even though they gave up lots of yards, both played better than their season averages. The UNLV defense held Nevada to 2 for 15 on third downs, which is extremely impressive. The Wolf Pack on the other hand were able to keep UNLV from scoring touchdowns at some key moments and forced UNLV to kick field goals, which were both missed by Rebel kicker Nolan Kohorst. UNLV held Nevada to six points in the second half and that was the difference.

Key Player Stats

Caleb Herring (UNLV QB): 29-42 for 335 yards and three touchdowns

Tim Cornett (UNLV RB): 26 rushes for 122 yards and one touchdown

Devante Davis (UNLV WR): 8 receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns

Cody Fajardo (Nevada QB): 24-40 for 357 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception

Richy Turner (Nevada WR): 8 receptions for 149 yards and one touchdown

Brent Zuzo (Nevada K): 3 for 3 on field goals

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