UNLV analysis: Slow start proved disastrous for Rebels

the numbers

Monday, Sept. 24, 2001 | 9:32 a.m.

First quarter:

Arizona, 14-7

The man: Wildcat quarterback Jason Johnson came out smoking, picking apart UNLV's secondary while completing 11 of 17 passes for 131 yards and two touchdowns.

Turning point: Despite being badly outplayed, the Rebels actually had a chance to take a 10-7 lead if placekicker Dillon Pieffer could connect on a 41-yard field goal try. But Pieffer's attempt was wide right.

Throwing the flag: Arizona wasn't flagged for a penalty in the quarter. UNLV, meanwhile, had two for 20 yards.

Game within the game: If not for running back Clarence Farmer mishandling an option pitch that UNLV defensive end Ahmad Briggs scooped up and returned 30 yards for a touchdown, the score likely would have been even more lopsided.

Second quarter:

Arizona, 24-7

The man: Backup fullback Tremaine Cox rambled 80 yards untouched up the middle for a touchdown to increase the Wildcats' lead to 24-7.

Turning point: Trailing 17-7 and facing a third-and-2 at the Arizona 37, UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas appeared to lose track of the 25-second play clock and the Rebels were hit with a delay of game penalty. After an incomplete pass, the Rebels were forced to punt.

Throwing the flag: The Rebels picked up four more penalties in the quarter for 35 yards.

Game within the game: Arizona finally attempted its first punt with just 5:08 left to go in the half.

Third quarter:

Arizona, 31-7

The man: Quarterback Johnson continued his big night for Arizona, completing all four of his passes in the quarter for 69 yards and a touchdown.

Turning point: With 27 seconds left in the quarter, Johnson threw a perfect 15-yard fade to wide receiver Bobby Wade who beat Kevin Thomas in one-on-one coverage for a touchdown.

Throwing the flag: With five more penalties totaling 45 yards, UNLV hit the 100-yard mark.

Game within the game: With Thomas and the UNLV passing game continuing to struggle, the Rebels stayed mostly on the ground with decent success. The Rebels had 76 yards rushing on 12 carries in the quarter, but didn't score any points.

Fourth quarter:

Arizona, 38-21

The man: Arizona quarterback Johnson clearly got the better of his more highly touted rival, Thomas, completing 18 of 30 passes for 247 yards and three touchdowns.

Turning point: After Joe Haro scored on a seven-yard run off right tackle to cut Arizona's lead to 31-14 with 13:14 remaining, Arizona put the game away when Arizona corner Michael Jolivette picked up a backward lateral from Thomas to Troy Mason and ran 40 yards for a touchdown. Mason couldn't handle the pass and appeared to give up on the play.

Throwing the flag: UNLV finished with 12 penalties for 105 yards while Arizona had just six penalties for 58 yards.

Game within the game: Despite their 0-3 start, the Rebels are still 0-0 in Mountain West play. But with high-scoring BYU up next at Sam Boyd Stadium, they need to turn things around in a real hurry. By Steve Guiremand