Southern Methodist 10, UNLV 7

Sunday, Oct. 25, 1998 | 9:51 a.m.

Jacoby Rhinehart, a cornerback playing wide receiver, caught the winning 21-yard pass from Chris Sanders to cap a 15-play drive.

Until the final drive, the Mustangs (3-5, 3-3 Western Athletic Conference) had gained just 167 yards against the Rebels (0-8, 0-5).

"We went 80 yards when we had to," SMU coach Mike Cavan said.

It was a defensive struggle all afternoon. The teams combined for 18 punts, and each side lost two fumbles.

SMU scored first on a 20-yard field goal by Roy Rios just 19 seconds before halftime.

UNLV moved ahead on an 11-yard scoring pass from Chad Reed to Sam Brandon with six minutes left in the third quarter.

The Mustangs were unable to move the ball on several possessions until Sanders, in relief of Josh McCown, directed the game-winning drive.

The winning pass was apparently the result of some improvisation.

"It wasn't really a play for me," Rinehart said, "but Chris told me he was going to throw it to me."

Sanders finished 10-of-19 for 119 yards. McCown was 4-of-9 for just 28 yards and one interception.

"It feels great. I think this is the biggest game in my college career," Sanders said.

Sanders credited SMU's defense with keeping the game close until the offense could score.

Linebacker Jason Simonton called defense "a strong point of the team."

"I know good and well that when the offense comes around, they're going to pick us up when we're down," he said.

Rodnick Phillips led SMU rushers with 95 yards rushing on 19 carries.

Reed, one of three quarterbacks used by UNLV this season, was 13-of-28 for 99 yards.

Charles Wofford rushed 24 times for 81 yards for the Rebels, who gained just 210 yards in the game.

archive