UNLV-Arkansas game analysis: Plenty of errors

the numbers

Friday, Aug. 31, 2001 | 10:17 a.m.

The man: Troy Mason returned a Richie Butler punt 39 yards to the Arkansas 11-yard line to set up the only score of the quarter, a 27-yard field goal by Dillon Pieffer.

Turning point: With a third-and-one at the Arkansas 40, Rebel linebacker Ryan Claridge shot up the middle and tackled Razorback fullback Brandon Holmes for a one-yard loss, forcing the Hogs to punt.

Throwing the flag: The Rebels had four penalties for 25 yards compared to just one penalty for four yards by the Razorbacks.

Game within the game: Aware that Arkansas' passing attack was weak going in, Mike Bradeson geared his defense to stopping Razorback tailback Cedric Cobbs. The strategy worked. Cobbs gained just 16 yards on six carries and the Hogs failed to garner even a first down.

The man: Linebacker Shanga Wilson intercepted a Ryan Sorahan pass and returned it 40 yards to the Razorbacks' 12-yard line.

Turning point: Two plays after Wilson's interception, Thomas, while in the grasp of an Arkansas defender, pitched a six-yard touchdown pass to tailback Jabari Johnson in the left flat to give UNLV a 10-0 lead.

Throwing the flag: A defensive hold penalty on the Rebel secondary wiped out a 17-yard sack by Rebel sophomore defensive tackle Deitrich Canterberry on Zak Clark.

Game within the game: Arkansas head coach Houston Nutt may have set an NCAA record by alternating four quarterbacks in one quarter. The strategy, which included bringing in two option quarterbacks, failed miserably. Arkansas had 17 plays and gained just six yards in the quarter.

The man: Arkansas cornerback Lawrence Richardson ran back a Jason Thomas interception 45 yards up the right sideline for a touchdown.

Turning point: Pieffer was wide right on a 29-yard field goal attempt that would have upped UNLV's lead to 13-7.

Throwing the flag: A pretty clean quarter. Each team was flagged for a delay of game penalty, but that was it.

Game within the game: UNLV began to take over the game on the ground and had a 24-11 advantage in plays in the quarter. But because of turnovers and a missed field goal, the Rebels were outscored 7-0 in the quarter.

The man: Backup quarterback Ryan Sorahan converted two fourth downs with pass completions on the game-winning drive and connected with freshman split end George Wilson for a key 23-yard completion that set up Cedric Cobbs' game-winning touchdown run.

Turning point: Leading 10-7 with only 1:59 to go and Arkansas out of timeouts, UNLV punter Ryan McDonald mishandled the snap and was tackled for a 12-yard loss at the Rebel 49-yard line to give the Hogs' a much-needed break.

Throwing the flag: Arkansas was hit with a 15-yard penalty for illegal participation (12 men on the field) early in the fourth quarter which gave UNLV a first down at the Razorbacks' 32-yard line. But the Rebels failed to capitalize when Thomas got stopped on fourth-and-inches at the Arkansas 23.

Game within the game: UNLV outgained the Hogs 232-4 on the ground after halftime and controlled the ball for 10 1/2 minutes in the final quarter.