UNLV’s Williams insists he crossed goal on first drive

Steve Carp

Monday, Sept. 30, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Was he or wasn't he in?

Damon Williams claimed the ball was across the goal line. The officials thought otherwise. And because the zebras have the last word, UNLV's opening drive in Saturday's 33-21 loss to Wyoming came up inches short.

Remember, the Rebels have not scored in the first quarter of a game dating back to last season against New Mexico State. In fact, UNLV has been blanked in the opening period in 14 of its last 16 games. So it was important from an emotional standpoint that the Rebels find the end zone.

"I was in," Williams said of the short reception and attempt to stretch the ball across the goal line on fourth down. "I put the ball across the plane."

Actually, the Rebels appeared to have scored three plays prior to Williams' attempt. Tony Burton swept the right side and went in from the Wyoming 5. But a holding penalty on Jason Toohey wiped out the TD.

And on the play before Williams' catch, Jon Denton fumbled the snap on the Wyoming 1, nullifying any chance at scoring.

Still, the fact UNLV moved the ball so crisply in its opening drive set the tone for the Rebels' play Saturday. They proved they belonged on the same field with undefeated Wyoming.

Where was Marcus?

Whether it was by design or by accident, Wyoming star receiver Marcus Harris only caught three passes. However, two of them were for touchdowns. The man who came into the game as the nation's top receiver probably could have had a big day, had quarterback Josh Wallwork bothered to look for him.

Instead, Harris is no longer the nation's top receiver. That honor now belongs to Nevada-Reno's Damond Wilkins, who leads the NCAA with 11 catches a game. Harris is second at 9.6.

It also means UNLV will see the nation's best statistical receiver for the second straight week, as the Wolf Pack comes to Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday.

Harris took the lack of action in stride.

"It wasn't in the cards today to go to No. 23," he said. "But we had other guys step up and make plays."

Wyoming coach Joe Tiller said the game plan was to establish the run against the Rebels, and the Cowboys went for 215 yards on the ground. He said not getting the ball more to Harris wasn't deliberate.

Extra points

* LONELY AT BOTTOM: With Fresno State winning Saturday, UNLV is the only winless team in the WAC at 0-5. The Rebels have lost seven straight dating to last season and the 0-5 start in 1996 is the worst in school history. The 1982 team began 0-4 and finished 3-8. ... Saturday's loss to Wyoming also produced the smallest crowd of the season, as just 12,564 showed up at Sam Boyd Stadium on what was being billed the stadium's silver anniversary celebration.

* FAST GAME: For a game which was supposed to take forever, Saturday's contest concluded in just over three hours. The first quarter was played in just 30 minutes. With the game being televised to Wyoming and both teams' penchant for throwing the ball, many believed it would be a four-hour game. Instead, it was the second-fastest game of the season for UNLV. The Tennessee game was played in two hours, 58 minutes.

* NUMBERS PLEASE: UNLV managed just 57 yards rushing against Wyoming. Only the 36 yards vs. Air Force was lower this season. ... P Tim O'Reilly, subbing for the injured Joe Kristosik, averaged just 28 yards for three punts. Conversely, Wyoming's Aron Langley averaged nearly 51 yards for his three punts. ... Wyoming QB Josh Wallwork was 15 for 20 for 305 yards. Wallwork threw three TD passes and was not intercepted. ... Jon Denton completed his first 12 passes before his attempt over the middle to Todd Floyd in the second quarter was incomplete. ... Saturday's injuries: RB Omar Love bruised his hip and is probable for Nevada-Reno while OT Mike Williams is questionable with a sprained right shoulder. P Kristosik, who sat out the Wyoming game, is questionable for UNR with a sprained foot and shoulder.