Smashmouth Football leads to UNLV’s demise
Heading into Saturday’s game at Sam Boyd Stadium there was a lot of optimism on behalf of UNLV football fans. Many expected UNLV to get crushed (after all they were a 25 point underdog), others expected a closer game in hopes that UNLV would go down in defeat with honor. Then there were those of us that were crazy enough to think that well, perhaps we could be this week’s Appalachian State and upset the number team in the country.
In a sense all those categories were accomplished. UNLV’s inability to stop the Badger running game enabled them to gain 215 yards on the ground, as the Badgers were able to run right over UNLV’s front line. The running game would also lead to the winning score that would put the Badgers on top and avoid the upset in front of 38,250 screaming fans.
Those that were looking a for a close game that would have UNLV play with pride, something they never really did last year, got to see just that as the Rebels were contesting every single run, pass, kick on the field. It seemed that with each tick of the clock the Rebels were fueled by their slim lead in the fourth quarter playing smart football. Unfortunately, all it took was one missed tackle and a bad read that led to yet another UNLV demise in the waning moments of the game.
As far as those of us that were crazy enough to think we could win (my belief was in no way impaired by the tailgate party before) were 1:53 away from the biggest win in the program’s history. The Rebels got off to a rather sloppy start on their opening drive being forced to punt after a three and out yet on the second drive the offense clicked and with three gorgeous deep passes, the Rebels took an early 7-0 lead.
The Badgers quickly responded using the ground to gain 77 yards to score the touchdown. Yet a missed extra point kept the Rebels in front, and the thought of the upset began to creep in. The defense, though, it kept getting run over by the Wisconsin ground game, would bend but not break. More and more the Rebels kept forcing the Wisconsin’s punter DeBauche work more then usual. Hope once again for those of us looking for the upset grew after UNLV drove down to the Badger 18 only to have the drive stifled on a 4th and 1 as Travis Dixon was stopped short for the first down. (At this point those looking for the close but UNLV loss thought here we go again, while the ones expecting the blowout were wondering why on earth they had decided to bet the over instead of the under)
With 4:45 to go in the half the Badgers would showcase why they are the number team in the country and after using a few runs were able to open up the passing game and drive the ball right down the heart of the UNLV defense. Using excellent clock management the Badger line was able to give quarterback Tyler Donovan enough time to march them down the field for a field goal.
At the half the score stood 9 to 7 in favor of the Badgers. Despite being out gained on the ground, the Rebels had not folded over as in games past. The Badgers would open the second half and once again use the ground to bend the UNLV defense. The Badgers would gain 43 yards on the ground (the Badgers got 60 total yards on the drive) before loosing the ball on downs at the Rebel 30. UNLV would answer with a Sergio Aguayo field goal and once again the murmur and whispers of an upset began to pick up (chants of over rated sprang up) as the Rebels took a slim 10-9 lead.
After the teams traded punts the Badgers were able to hold on to a slim lead getting three more points with the clock reading 12:00. At this point, those looking for the blowout were waiting for the typical UNLV collapse and hoping the rebels would at least break even on the spread. The rest of us were thinking all we need is a good solid drive to get us in range for three points and we can win this thing.
Well we got that wish as the Rebels were able to chip at the clock (which by the way seemed to run so slow) and knock off nearly 8 minutes before being forced to kick a field goal. Once again Aguayo showed why he is regarded as one the best kickers in the conference and put the Rebels up 13-12 with 4:32 to go.
The next 4:32 showed why UNLV has only won 6 games in three years and why the Badgers are the 5th best team in the nation. Again textbook clock management and a solid running game, kept the Rebels on their heels. UNLV kept giving up small runs of 4 yards, 3 yards, 7 yards and the clock kept moving (ever more slowly it seemed). Before long the Badgers were well within field goal range, yet we clung on to hope. Surely if the Badgers had missed an extra point the football gods would take pity on us yet again and well blow the ball wide left or right, or perhaps we’d pull an Appalachian State and block the kick as time expired and send then 5th ranked Michigan to an unbelieveable loss. Well the football gods did appear yet this time they took the side of Wisconsin and on a 1st and 15, Badger quarterback Tyler Donovan would accumulate the final 29 yards of the 219 gained on the ground by scampering for the winning touchdown. Rolling on to the right on a bootleg, Donovan broke one tackle and ran untouched into the endzone putting the marker at 18-12. To worsen matters the Badgers converted the two point conversion that all but sealed the victory and once again left the Rebels asking questions as to “what went wrong THIS time?”
UNLV kept getting the lucky bounces it need to win this game, yet the inability to stop the run doomed the Rebels as Wisconsin was able to use the clock to their advantage and send the Rebels to their first loss of the season. Now, those of us that still have hope for a good year are hoping that it’s not deja vu form last year where UNLV would win its opener and then spiral on a ten game loosing streak before winning their final game.
So for now we stand at 1-1 and once again stare the barrel of the gun as we face Number 20 Hawaii and Colt Brennan who last week threw for 416 yards…in the FIRST half against Northern Colorado in a 63-3 romp. Needless to say once again the odds makers will be cruel and will pin us as the underdogs but after showcasing some pride perhaps this week UNLV will pull the upset and leave week 3 of the season 2-1.
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