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UNLV football hasn’t been able to catch a break all season when it comes to injuries.
The Rebels were supposed to have one of the top receiving corps in the Mountain West. Three (and now four) season-ending injuries later, UNLV is without their star junior receiver for their final two games against No.22 Boise State (9-1,5-1) and UNR (3-7,1-5).
Devonte Boyd posted his 11th 100-yard receiving game in the Rebels’ 69-66 in triple-overtime upset against Wyoming on Nov. 12., where he also suffered a broken left arm.
Boyd, now joins fellow injured receivers Kendal Keys, Brandon Presley and Darren Woods Jr. while the pass offense will rely on true freshmen Mekhi Stevenson (12 catches, 155 yards, two TDs) and Elijah Trosclair (one catch, 61 yards, TD).
To help UNLV’s depleted receiving core, redshirt freshman Jericho Flowers moved from defensive back to receiver before the Hawai’i game, helping the offense immediately. Flowers had a 35-yard showing at UH and has grown into his wideout role, scoring his first two collegiate touchdowns against Wyoming.
Flowers had a 34-yard touchdown run in the first quarter to put the Rebels ahead of the Cowboys while finishing with three catches for 65 yards including a 22-yard pass to tie the game in overtime.
Backup freshman quarterback Dalton Sneed also volunteered to play wide receiver while getting some reps in during the team’s practice this week. Getting a win at Boise State is going to be a tough task for UNLV so they’re going to need all the extra hands they can get.