Anything Goes: A UNLV College Football 25 Dynasty presented by BigJDotCom

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A wild week four in the Mountain West with four overtime games. Boise State and UNLV won non-conference games at home in overtime, while Colorado State and New Mexico earned conference wins.

UNLV received votes in the Media Poll this week.

Week #4: Scores:
Hawaii 32, Utah State 13
Colorado State 39, New Mexico State 37 (2OT)
Boise State 49, Florida Atlantic 46 (2OT)
Wyoming 19, Montana 13
New Mexico 29, Air Force 27 (3OT)
Fresno State 38, UTEP 17
San Diego State 30, Louisiana Tech 20
Ohio 42, Nevada 21

MWC Players of the Week:
DEFENSE: Tony Casas DT (UNLV) 4 TKLs,TFL, 1.0 Sacks, FR
OFFENSE: Jamal Hepburn QB (Boise State) 23-32 389 yds, 5 TD, 12 car, 34 yds, TD

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HEISMAN WATCH

1. Jeff Jasmine, QB, Clemson, Sophomore (RS)
2. Cedric Ryder, QB, Georgia, Sophomore (RS)
3. Quincey Westbrook, QB, Wisconsin, Junior (RS)
4. Marquel Boss, QB, Ohio State, Senior (RS)
5. Tahj Smith, QB, Tennessee, Junior (RS)

[Deuce2223]

That win over Indiana was huge, a 3rd loss probably would've pretty much killed any chance at a return to the Playoffs. I think if you can still run the table and finish 10-2 with wins over Boise State twice you will still get a chance at a playoff spot. That's the 1 advantage from losing early, but it also means no more room for mistakes.

[redsox907]

echoing what Deuce said. Losing early is always beneficial. The teams that sneak in despite 2 or 3 losses are always ones who lost in the first 4 then went on a run.

Time for the Rebels to do some running

[bigjdotcom01]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deuce2223

That win over Indiana was huge, a 3rd loss probably would've pretty much killed any chance at a return to the Playoffs. I think if you can still run the table and finish 10-2 with wins over Boise State twice you will still get a chance at a playoff spot. That's the 1 advantage from losing early, but it also means no more room for mistakes.

No doubt. A third loss, even against another ranked opponent, may have done our season in. If we can get past Boise State, we should be favored all the way until the MWC Championship Game.

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Quote: Originally Posted by redsox907

echoing what Deuce said. Losing early is always beneficial. The teams that sneak in despite 2 or 3 losses are always ones who lost in the first 4 then went on a run. Time for the Rebels to do some running

It helps to be in a power league to get in with 2 or 3 losses. If we have three losses, not sure we would be ranked high enough to make the playoffs.....so beating Boise is a must!

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REBELS SLIP PAST BRONCOS
UNLV Beats Boise State on Rainy Thursday Evening in Boise


Redshirt freshman Nick Rios scores late in regulation to seal the victory.

Media Ranks: UNLV 29th; Boise State 38th
Overall: UNLV 87, Boise State 83
Offense: UNLV 89, Boise State 82
Defense: UNLV 86, Boise State 84
Weather: Rain, Windy
TV: Regional TV
Site: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, ID (65,000)

9/27/29
Boise, ID (AP) – UNLV finished up the brutal stretch of their schedule with an impressive 42-30 win over Boise State at Albertsons Stadium on a rainy Thursday evening in Boise. Redshirt freshman Nick Rios scored three times including on a fourth down in the final minute to seal the Rebels win.

This one started out with a bang and both teams scored on their first offensive play from scrimmage. Boise State struck first as Jamal Hepburn found Elton Peters with a 75 yard strike on a go ball to take a 7-0 lead. Coach BigJ then dialed up a shock play on UNLV's first play and Jose Esponda found Dustin Baer for a 70 yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7, just 21 seconds into the game.

On the Rebels second possession, they drove down to the Boise State 14 yard line, but Nick Rios was stuffed on a fourth and one, with Boise State taking over on downs.

Boise State drove the ball 70 yards down to the UNLV 16 yard line, but they had to settle for a 33 yard Addison Tonyan field goal as they went in front 10-7 early in the second quarter.

Jose Esponda drove the Rebels right down the field in eight plays, connecting with tight end Alex Gossett for a 25 yard touchdown as UNLV took their first lead 14-10. Gossett, a true freshman, was making his first career start in this one. He caught three balls for 41 yards in the game.

The Broncos moved the ball into UNLV territory but once again were forced to settle for a field goal. But this time, Addison Tonyan missed wide left from 45 yards out and it remained a four point lead for the Rebels.

UNLV's running game then took over with Greg Meryl running for gains of 10 and 17 yards and Jaylen Hodges running for 20 yards to setup redshirt freshman Nick Rios to score from one yard out as UNLV went up 21-10.

George Agnew then made what could be considered the play of the game as he picked off Jamal Hepburn, returning it 38 yards for a touchdown as UNLV built a 28-10 lead late in the first half.

Boise State once again would strike quickly though as Jamal Hepburn found Elton Peters for a 62 yard touchdown on a blown coverage to cut the UNLV lead to 28-17 at the half.

Coming out of halftime, the Rebels put together a nine play drive that ate almost half of the third quarter and was capped off by another Nick Rios touchdown, this one from 13 yard out as UNLV went up 35-17 and this game looked like it was heading towards a blowout.

UNLV once again was driving as they looked to put a final nail in the Broncos coffin, but on fourth and one from the Boise State 31, Jose Esponda was stuffed on a quarterback keeper and Boise State took over on downs.

The Broncos would get a huge 33 yard run from Jamal Hepburn on a third and nine scramble to keep their next drive alive. Hepburn would then find Elton Peters for a 13 yard touchdown, his third of the game, to cut the Rebels lead to 35-24.

The Rebels once again had a chance to ice this one on their next drive, but Jean Brindza missed wide right from 48 yards out to keep it an 11 point game with 8:17 left in regulation.

Boise State wasted no time going 69 yards in five plays and scoring on a 12 yard run from halfback Barry Lucien. The two point conversion failed, but the Broncos were back to within 35-30 with 6:44 left.

The Rebels would put together a 17-play drive that ate up over six minutes, and facing a fourth and goal from the three yard line with 38 second left, faced a tough decision. Kick the field goal to go up by eight and give Boise State a chance to tie it, or try and go for the kill shot. Coach BigJ chose the later and Nick Rios made it pay off with a three yard touchdown run on fourth down to seal it, putting UNLV up 42-30.

UNLV (3-2, 2-0) picked up the huge win, and put Boise State (2-2, 0-1) in an early hole in the Mountain West. These two teams have met each of the last three seasons in the Mountain West Championship Game and are favored to meet again in December in Glendale.

UNLV outgained Boise State 496-472 with the Rebels running it 41 times for 237 yards in the win. Jose Esponda was brilliant, completing 17 of 21 passes for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Jaylen Hodges ran for 127 yards with Nick Rios adding 48 yards and three scores. Elton Peters caught 8 balls for 197 yards and three touchdowns for the Broncos.

UNLV has a bye next week before they head to Fort Collins in two weeks to take on an up and coming Colorado State squad that always seems to give them fits.

George Agnew jumped this route, picking off Jamal Hepburn.


George Agnew celebrates on his way to the end zone.


Dustin Baer scored on UNLV's first play from scrimmage to tie the game at 7-7.

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UNLV topped Boise State in the game of the week in the Mountain West. Hawaii beat rival Air Force in triple overtime. Kansas beat Nevada without scoring a touchdown (3 field goals and a safety) in an 11-10 game. New Mexico State pounded rival New Mexico down in Las Cruces. Colorado State fell to an FCS school as they dropped a 28-22 decision to Weber State.

UNLV is receiving votes in both the Media Poll and the Coaches Poll sitting just outside of the Top 25.

Week #5: Scores:
Louisiana Tech 17, Fresno State 13
San Diego State 24, San Jose State 21
Hawaii 32, Air Force 30 (3OT) (Kuter Trophy)
Weber State 28, Colorado State 22
New Mexico State 20, New Mexico 3 (Rio Grande Rivalry)
Kansas 11, Nevada 10
Wyoming 17, UTEP 10

MWC Players of the Week:
DEFENSE: Carl Wear, DT (Hawaii) 8 TKLs, 5 TFLs
OFFENSE: Elton Peters, WR (Boise State) 8 rec, 197 yds, 3 TD