REBELS KEEPS ROLLING
#1 UNLV Cruises Past Rival Nevada 35-10 to Finish 12-0
Senior QB Jose Esponda threw four touchdowns and ran for another..
Media Ranks: UNLV 1st; Nevada 61st
Overall: UNLV 90, Nevada 78
Offense: UNLV 90, Nevada 80
Defense: UNLV 90, Nevada 77
Weather: Dome
TV: Regional TV
Site: Allegiant Stadium - Las Vegas, NV (65,000)
11/27/32
Las Vegas, NV (AP) – #1 UNLV ran out to a 28-0 halftime lead and cruised to a 35-10 victory over rival Nevada on Saturday afternoon at Allegiant Stadium. It was the seventh straight victory for UNLV and the series that is now tied at 30-30 after the 60th meeting.
UNLV opened the game with a nine-play, 72 yard touchdown drive with Jose Esponda finding Jarius Loudermilk for an 11 yard score. Ezekial Veasy had the key play on the drive, a 39 yard run.
After forcing a Nevada punt, UNLV went back to work with a seven-play, 54 yard drive capped off by a 29 yard touchdown pass to a wide open George Slack. Thomas Hammer ran a five yard stop route that both the corner and safety bit on. That left George Slack uncovered and wide open for the easy touchdown pass to put UNLV up 14-0.
Nevada would put together a long drive that had them with a first and goal at the UNLV three yard line. Terron Pears ran for minus one, Terrelle Randall for one yard, and then Deon Ward was sacked for an 11 yard loss by Emanual Milano on third down to force a field goal attempt. Mmanuel Shembo came on and hit the left upright from 32 yards out, and it remained 14-0.
Following the missed field goal, UNLV drove 80 yards and went up 21-0 on a six yard Jose Esponda scramble for a touchdown. Esponda hit Jarius Loudermilk for a gain of 15 on third and 13 just moments earlier to keep the drive alive.
Nevada again drove the ball into UNLV territory on the ensuing drive, and once again Emmanuel Shembo missed a field goal This time he missed wide left from 48 yards out and Nevada remained scoreless.
The Rebels then moved 69 yards in 11 plays with Jose Esponda hooking up with George Slack on a 22 yard touchdown, his second of the game, and UNLV went up 28-0.
The teams went to halftime with UNLV holding a 355 to 132 yardage advantage, with UNLV holding Nevada to minus 11 yards rushing. Jose Esponda went 14 of 22 for 234 yards with three touchdowns passing and one rushing in the first half.
Early in the third quarter, Jose Esponda was strip sacked by Carlos Bull near midfield with the Wolfpack jumping on the loose ball. Nevada drove it down to a first and goal at the four yard line, but once again could not get it into the endzone. Emmanuel Shembo came on and made a 21 yard field goal to get Nevada on the scoreboard.
Jose Esponda would hit Thomas Hammer for a 48 yard gain on UNLV's next offensive play with Hammer making an incredible diving reception. But on fourth and one from the Nevada 19 yard line, Dean Whittaker was stuffed. On the next play, Nevada's Terrelle Randall broke a tackle in the backfield, then raced 81 yards for a touchdown to make it 28-10.
Nevada was driving once again early in the fourth quarter before Brandon Bayer picked off Deon Ward on a fourth and 16 desperation pass. UNLV turned around and drove 61 yards in nine plays with Jose Esponda finding Ezekial Veasy for a one yard scoring toss to go back up by 25.
UNLV had one more chance to score with their backups, but Dean Whittaker was stuffed on a fourth and goal from the two yard line late in the game.
UNLV outgained the Wolfpack 567 to 366 with the Rebels throwing for a season high 393 yards. Jose Esponda went 21 of 35 for 341 yards with four touchdowns and backup Klay Vales went 7 of 9 for 52 yards in mop up duty. Ezekial Veasy ran for 95 yards and caught five passes for 32 yards. George Slack caught six passes for 132 yards and two scores. Rumors are that Slack is looking to enter the portal after the seaosn due to UNLV leaning on the running game this season.
UNLV (12-0, 9-0) finishes their second consecutive regular season at (12-0) and has only lost one conference game in the last six seasons. The Rebels will have next week off before facing Oregon in the PAC-12 Championship game in Inglewood in two weeks. Nevada finishes the regular seaosn at (7-5, 5-4) and will be bowl eligible for the first time since 2029.
Jarius Loudermilk, all he does is catch touchdown passes.
Eight more sacks for UNLV's defense, which leads the nation in sacks with 59.
George Slack caught a season high six passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns.
Terrelle Randall was the lone bright spot for the Wolfpack with 10 carries for 127 yards and this 81 yard touchdown run.
Hammer Time lays out for this amazing catch.
