Las Vegas, NV (Sports Network) - The Nevada Wolf Pack overcame a 17-point
halftime deficit to defeat the UNLV Rebels, 42-37, in Mountain West Conference
play at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Stefphon Jefferson rushed for 185 yards and three scores as Nevada (6-1, 3-0
MWC) won its fifth-straight game and became bowl eligible. Devin Combs
completed 14-of-19 passes for 167 yards with two touchdowns and an
interception. Richy Turner lead all receivers with seven catches for 99 yards
and a score.
For UNLV (1-6, 1-1), Nick Sherry threw for 248 yards on 21-of-35 passing with a
touchdown and an interception, and he also ran in a score. Tim Cornett gained
129 yards and a score on the ground, and Bradley Randle added 54 yards rushing
and two touchdowns. Marcus Sullivan caught five passes for 74 yards and a
touchdown. The Rebels have lost three games in a row.
UNLV got off to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter behind a pair of rushing
touchdowns, one from Cornett from eight yards out and the other a 32-yarder
from Randle.
The Rebels extended their lead to three touchdowns early in the second quarter
following a two-yard touchdown run from Sherry.
The Wolf Pack halted UNLV's run midway through the second quarter when
Jefferson rushed in a four-yard score, but the Rebels retaliated less than
three minutes later with a Randle two-yard touchdown run to go up, 28-7.
Jefferson continued to keep Nevada in the game, rushing in a one-yard score
with just under two minutes left in the half, but UNLV added a 42-yard field
goal just before halftime to go into intermission with a 31-14 lead.
The Wolf Pack would not go away quietly. With under five minutes to play in the
third quarter, they cut their deficit to just 10, 31-21, following a 12-yard
touchdown pass from Combs to Turner.
Nevada scored again early in the fourth quarter to get to within three, 31-28,
on Jefferson's third touchdown run of the game. Less than four minutes later,
the Wolf Pack scored their third unanswered touchdown on a seven-yard pass from
Combs to Zach Sudfeld to take their first lead of the game, 35-31.
The Wolf Pack put the game out of reach with under three minutes to play in
regulation following a two-yard touchdown rush from Combs.
UNLV added a touchdown in the game's final minute on a 47-yard pass from Sherry
to Sullivan, but the ensuing onside kick attempt was unsuccessful.
Nevada was risky on the afternoon with four attempts on fourth down, but the
decisions paid off as it converted 3-of-4 chances.
GAME NOTES:
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