Rebels efficient in stunning win at BYU

the numbers

Monday, Oct. 21, 2002 | 9:48 a.m.

First Quarter: UNLV 3, BYU 0

The Man: UNLV quarterback Jason Thomas completed 4 of 6 passes for 44 yards and also rushed for another 44 yards, including a 33-yard scramble through the BYU defense.

Turning Point: Rebel placekicker Dillon Pieffer kicked a 27-yard field goal to cap UNLV's 67-yard, 7-play drive to open the game.

Game within the game: Matt Berry became the first redshirt freshman to start at quarterback for BYU since Ty Detmer in 1988. After two plays, though, another freshman, Lance Pendleton, replaced Berry and the two alternated the rest of the quarter.

Second Quarter: UNLV 3, BYU 3

The Man: Cougar wide receiver Reno Mahe had three receptions for 71 yards in the quarter, including a 46-yarder he wrestled away from Jamaal Brimmer at the UNLV 7-yard line. That set up a game-tying 24-yard field goal by Matt Payne.

Turning Point: After stopping BYU on 4th and 4 at the UNLV 48, Rebel running back Larry Croom fumbled the ball back to BYU at the Cougar 49 after catching a pass from Kurt Nantkes.

Game within the game: Nantkes replaced Thomas for two series and led the Rebels to one first down.

Third Quarter: UNLV 9, BYU 3

The Man: Thomas returns to put UNLV ahead 9-3 with a six-yard naked bootleg.

Turning Point: On the third play of the quarter, Berry was intercepted by safety Rushard Dodd-Masters at the BYU 46-yard line setting the stage for Thomas' TD four plays later.

Game within the game: BYU coach Gary Crowton hears some boos as he continues to rotate Berry and Pendleton at quarterback.

Fourth Quarter: UNLV 24, BYU 3

The Man: Brimmer smashes Berry on a blindside blitz to force a fumble, then scoops up the bouncing ball and runs 27-yards for a touchdown to increase UNLV's lead to 17-3.

Turning Point: Brimmer's touchdown starts sending Cougars fans to the exits.

Game within the game: Thanks to Brimmer's fumble return and a 38-yard interception return by cornerback Chameion Sutton of a Bret Engemann pass with 3:01 left, UNLV's defense accounted for more points in the fourth quarter (15) than normally high-scoring BYU scored in the entire game.