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twitterNotebook: Cowboys suck wind out of Rebels defense
No-huddle offense with added wrinkles — plus elevation — wore out UNLV D
Aaron Ontiveroz / Associated Press
Wyoming quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels (5) throws a pass during the second half of Wyoming’s 30-27 win over UNLV on Saturday in Laramie, Wyo.
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2009 | 2:29 a.m.
UNLV vs Wyoming
UNLV loses its 20th consecutive road conference game, 30-27, at Wyoming.
Next game
- Opponent: UNR
- Date: Oct. 3, 1 p.m. PDT
- Where: Reno, Nev.
- TV: None
- Radio: ESPN Radio 1100 AM
LARAMIE, Wyo. — At one point in the fourth quarter, while Wyoming was driving against UNLV for what would be a game-tying touchdown in the Cowboys' 30-27 victory, it was visible to everyone just how worn out the Rebels defense was.
Over the course of the afternoon, Wyoming added little wrinkles all over the place in its fast-paced, no-huddle offense to keep the UNLV unit off balance.
And in this particular instance, in between plays, eight of the 11 Rebels defenders on the field had their hands on their hips, sucking as much wind as possible in the thin air.
Once Wyoming perfects Dave Christensen's offense, combined with the 7,200-feet-above-sea-level elevation, the Cowboys could have quite a home field advantage.
"I don't think it's completely the no-huddle," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "I think it's the mixture of a no-huddle, snapping it fast and they look like they're gonna snap, then they look over to the sideline. I think the times where they went no-huddle and snapped it fast, we were not ready to line up and they did a nice job."
Sanford said the coaching staff had prepared the Rebels all week for exactly what they saw on film, but translating it isn't always so easy.
"We tried to deal with that by switching some of the personnel, use our twos, get some guys reps, but it definitely worked to their advantage," senior linebacker Jason Beauchamp said. "Got to give them credit. They did work."
A star in the making?
Wyoming's shotgun spread offense finally looked formidable after going 10 quarters without a touchdown.
And plenty of that had to do with true freshman quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels' instinctive play-making ability.
The San Jose, Calif., product, who showed flashes of his potential in the Cowboys' first three games while splitting time with junior Robert Benjamin, went 24-of-37 for 234 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran the ball 12 times for 34 yards.
He also created several plays by improvising against the UNLV pass rush, including a stutter-step against Beauchamp on the Pokes' final touchdown drive, which gained him a couple of extra seconds to make a first-down completion.
"The thing is he can definitely run, but the thing is it can't be where one guy beats somebody. If I make a great move and Malo (Taumua) or somebody on the other end doesn't beat his guy, it's not gonna work," Beauchamp said. "When one guy wins, the other guy's gotta win, too, so we can get kind of a caged rush on him.
"That's his game. We watched him on film, and that's what he does. You've gotta give him credit, being a true freshman and making plays like that."
Solid efforts lost in the mix
Junior running back Channing Trotter gained 90 yards on 17 carries, including an 18-yard touchdown run, while senior receiver Ryan Wolfe had eight catches for 96 yards and a score in the loss.
Trotter ran hard, and ripped off a trio of lengthy runs, as he now has 295 yards and four touchdowns on the season.
One thing Trotter would change, though, involved the team's pregame approach, as he said something felt off when the Rebels were getting ready to leave their Cheyenne hotel on Saturday morning.
"I think a little bit at the hotel, some of the guys were a little relaxed," he said. "I try to keep it cool, keep it calm, stay focused, but some of the guys were laughing a little too much and it kind of bothered me and stuff. I probably should have said something, being a leader on this team, but I sat back and hoped our play would take care of itself. We came up a little short today, so I know next time I'm just gonna have to step up when I feel that way."
Wolfe's eight grabs gave him 31 on the season, while his score on an 18-yard pass play from Omar Clayton was the first on the season for the Rebels' all-time leading receiver.
Injury updates
Senior receiver Rodelin Anthony and senior safety Marquel Martin — both recovering from concussions suffered against Hawaii last weekend — did not make the trip for the Rebels.
In Anthony's place, sophomore Michael Johnson had a career-high five catches for 53 yards, while senior Jerriman Robinson had three snags for 39 yards.
With Martin out, junior Alex De Giacomo, playing despite a sore hamstring, registered eight tackles, while junior Travis Dixon had four stops.
Omar Clayton left for the team bus with an ice pack wrapped around his right shoulder. He said the injury occurred on the drive in which he hit Wolfe for the score, but doesn't expect it to affect him heading into next week.
A look ahead at UNR
Don't let the record mislead you. UNR is still dangerous and enters next weekend's rivalry matchup in Reno in the same situation as the Rebels — needing a win in the worst way.
The Wolf Pack dropped to 0-3 against a loaded non-conference schedule on Friday night, losing at home to Missouri, 31-21. That came on the heels of road losses to Notre Dame (35-0) and Colorado State (35-20).
As always, UNR has run the ball well, led by Vai Taua, who has 209 yards on 32 totes this season. However, he was hurt in the loss to the Tigers, dislocating his elbow. Behind him, Luke Lippincott and quarterback Colin Kaepernick have combined for 288 yards on the ground.
Where the Wolf Pack have struggled on offense is through the air, as Kaepernick has just two touchdown passes this season as opposed to four picks.
Last season, he torched UNLV for five total touchdowns and 416 yards of offense in a 49-27 Wolf Pack victory at Sam Boyd Stadium.
UNLV hasn't defeated UNR since 2004.
Elsewhere in the Mountain West Conference
TCU continued its BCS-busting quest in the biggest statement win for the league on Saturday, leaving Death Valley victorious. The Horned Frogs knocked off Clemson, 14-10, thanks to a highlight-reel touchdown catch by Antoine Hicks on a 25-yard fade toss from Andy Dalton in the fourth quarter.
BYU scored 21 points in the first quarter, then held on the rest of the way in redeeming itself with a 42-23 home victory over Colorado State.
Air Force knocked off San Diego State — as expected — 26-14, while Utah downed Louisville, 30-14.
New Mexico remained the league's lone winless team, falling at home to rival New Mexico State on Saturday night, 20-17.
Ryan Greene can be reached at ryan.greene@lasvegassun.com or 702-948-7844.
Discussion: 9 comments so far…
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I've been a huge UNLV fan for the past 23 years. I keep dreaming of a team that knows how to win, but every year it's the same lame game.
Rebs were real lucky they didn't get whupped even worse. ... Yup, it looks like the REBS is ready for Ohio State, Oklahoma, Florida, Texas and all dem odder big schools.... When do we get into a real conference so we can play some of the dem dar schools that are rilly big time?
Texas didn't seem to have any trouble breathing in the high elevation last week when they beat Wyoming 41-10, and they came from near sea level.
"And plenty of that had to do with true freshman quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels' instinctive play-making ability."
That's a nice way of saying that the Rebel defense was simply...aweful. If you can even call that a defense. How does a defense with so much talent; Beauchamp, Fuimaono, Paulo, Taumua, Pointer, etc....play so bad? Coaching? It sure looks like it to me.
"Sanford said the coaching staff had prepared the Rebels all week for exactly what they saw on film, but translating it isn't always so easy."
You prepared them? Really? Well, you failed MISERABLY. You've just sealed your fate.
I am sold on the fact that no matter how much talent he has on his team, Sanford will find a way to screw it up. The play calling at the end of the half was terrible. The defense is bad but I can safely say it isn't all the kids fault after watching what they do. Is the defense ever going to get better after 5 years? Sanford better be counting his days here after that loss.
Different week ... same lame excuses.
How in the world can anyone on a team that has lost that many consecutive games on the road even crack a smile until they have a victory. At this point, I would bench anyone who so much as even laughs at practice, in their dorm room or anywhere else during this upcoming week. Take this thing serious, losers. Become real winners for a change and you'll gain that privilege Rebels!
Basketball.
Elevation, Wyoming's freshman QB, "not being ready/prepared for the game", missed opportunities.....CMON, seriously, this is football! You can't make excuses, just execute.
Something the coaching staff needs to prepare their players for.....And, also, by the way, which player(s), rather, which SENIOR(S) are going to step-up and be LEADERS!!! After all, the coaches don't play the game, the PLAYERS do!
Good luck next week against NEVADA!!!! GO REBS!
Basketball won't be much better. Another coach who chokes come Conference time and the best we can hope for is some lame NIT game.
I wouldn't get too excited about Basketball.