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March 18, 2024

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Live blog: Decker throws for 3 TDs, but Rebels fall at Utah State, 34-20

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Steve Marcus

UNLV Rebels quarterback Blake Decker (5) warms up before the UNLV Rebels’ home opener against the Northern Colorado Bears at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014.

Updated Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014 | 4:40 p.m.

The Rebel Room

Out on the Dancefloor

Las Vegas Sun sports reporters Case Keefer, Ray Brewer and Taylor Bern debate UNLV football's remaining number of victories and reflect on the basketball showcase while preparing for this weekend's Life is Beautiful music festival.

The UNLV football team trailed from start to finish today at Utah State, rushing for just 15 yards in a 34-20 loss.

The Rebels (2-6) went just 3 of 16 on third-down conversion attempts and didn’t pick up a first down until three minutes into the second quarter, falling behind by 10 points early and never recovering.

Blake Decker completed 22 of 38 passes with three touchdowns for UNLV, including a 2-yard scoring strike to Taylor Barnhill with four seconds remaining before halftime to trim the Rebels’ deficit to 17-13.

But UNLV didn’t score in the third quarter and couldn’t contain Utah State’s speed on offense. Joe Hill and JoJo Natson had long touchdowns for Utah State, each catching short passes and outracing the UNLV defense to the end zone.

UNLV returns to action next Saturday against New Mexico at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Check back later for more.

Rebels trail by 14 points at Utah State entering fourth quarter

UNLV kicker Jonathan Leiva’s field goal attempt was blocked by Utah State at the end of the third quarter, keeping the Rebels deficit at 27-13 entering the fourth quarter.

The Rebels, after scoring a touchdown with four seconds remaining in the first half, were held scoreless in the third quarter.

Utah State quarterback Craig Harrison was knocked out of the game with a knee injury. The Aggies will use true freshman Kent Myers, the fourth-string QB, for the remainder of the game.

UNLV gives up another long TD, falls behind by 11 at Utah State

UNLV trails Utah State by double digits for the third time today, giving up a 69-yard touchdown pass to the Aggies' Joe Hill for a 24-13 deficit with 10:25 to play in the third quarter.

Hill caught a short pass from Craig Harrison near the UNLV sideline and outraced the Rebel defense to the end zone.

It was the second long touchdown the Rebels have surrendered today; they also allowed a 71-yard catch-and-run from JoJo Natson in the first half.

On both plays, UNLV didn’t have anyone fast enough to run with the Utah State receiver.

Late touchdown helps UNLV narrow halftime deficit to 17-13

The UNLV football team has the momentum against host Utah State.

The Rebels trail just 17-13 at halftime after Blake Decker’s short touchdown pass to Taylor Barnhill with four seconds left in the half. Decker completed 5 of 5 passes on the scoring drive, which went 69 yards on seven plays in just 50 seconds.

UNLV was 0 for 7 on third-down conversions until Decker’s touchdown to Barnhill. Earlier in the second quarter, Decker hooked up with Kendal Keys for a 31-yard touchdown. The ball was deflected twice before the freshman Keys made an acrobatic catch in the end zone.

Utah State scored the first 10 points of the game, and UNLV didn’t record a first down until the 12:41 mark of the second quarter. But, because of the scoring drive to close the half, those struggles don’t seem nearly as bad.

Decker is a very efficient 10 of 15 for 137 yards, and Devonte Boyd has three catches for 73 yards.

Utah State’s big play came on a 71-yard screen pass to JoJo Natson for a 17-7 lead.

I will keep everyone posted in the second half.

UNLV trims deficit to 3 points on TD catch from Kendal Keys

The Rebels are back in the game.

After falling behind 10-0 at Utah State and struggling to move the ball offensively, the Rebels finally scored. They also got a first down.

On a fourth down play, Keith Whitely rushed for three yards to gain a first down — the Rebels' initial first down of the game, coming at the 12:41 mark of the second quarter.

A few seconds later, Blake Decker’s heave into the end zone was caught on a deflection by Kendal Keys for a 31-yard touchdown to trim the UNLV deficit to 10-7.

And, just like that, the Rebels have made things interesting.

The UNLV touchdown was setup by kick returner Jay Mitchell’s 30-yard return on a kickoff. Utah State was flagged for a face mask on the play, giving UNLV the ball around midfield.

The UNLV defense also deserves credit for keeping the game close. Earlier in the game, they stopped Utah State at the 2-yard line on a fourth-down play. They also limited Utah State to a short field goal attempt on another drive inside the UNLV 10.

UNLV’s offense struggling early; Utah State grabs 10-0 lead

It was only a matter of time until the UNLV football team fell behind against Utah State.

The Rebels’ initial three possessions today resulted in three yards of offense and three punts, giving Utah State great field position around midfield each time it received the ball.

Utah State, after failing to score on a fourth-down play from the 2-yard line earlier in the game, scored first on Craig Harrison’s 2-yard touchdown pass to Jefferson Court for a 7-0 lead with 1:28 to play in the first quarter.

Then, on the Rebels’ first play after the touchdown, Utah State’s Nick Vigil sacked UNLV quarterback Blake Decker to force a fumble and give the Aggies the ball at the UNLV 18.

Utah State only managed a field goal on the drive, giving the Rebels a 10-0 deficit — but it could have been worse.

If UNLV can upset Utah State, the Rebels would have their first 2014 winning streak

You could easily argue the UNLV football team’s bye week came at a perfect time.

The Rebels (2-5) played their best game of the season two weeks ago in beating Fresno State, taking a double-digit lead by halftime and prevailing in overtime after Fresno State rallied to tie the game.

The Rebels didn’t fold after Fresno State made things interesting, showing they still have fight and determination despite the season not panning out as they had hoped.

That fight will be tested today against Utah State (4-3), which is a 17-point favorite and probably the toughest opponent left on the Rebels’ schedule. But the Rebels have momentum on their side and had two weeks to prepare for the game, giving them a fighter's chance for their first winning streak of the season. Players should be rested and healed.

More important, Utah State is down to its third-string quarterback, giving the Rebels defense — which ranks 118th nationally — some hope.

UNLV quarterback Blake Decker, who earlier this season was one the nation’s leaders in interceptions, has settled into a nice rhythm. He managed the game well against Fresno State and should have confidence for a duplicate effort today.

Decker’s job was made easier by Keith Whitely, who rushed for 87 yards on 18 carries. That’s the most carries a UNLV tailback has received in a game this season, giving the Rebels offense a balance it desperately missed.

Whether they are running or passing, the Rebels need to stay away from the Vigil brothers. Zach and Nick Vigil are two of the Mountain West’s best, combing for 28 percent of Utah State’s tackles.

I will keep everyone posted once the game begins. It's on channel 321 on Cox cable. Join the conversation on Twitter using #unlvfb

Brewer's pick: It doesn't matter who Utah State has at quarterback. The Rebels struggle away from home and are one of the nation's worst teams at defending the run. Utah State won't need production in the passing game. Utah State 39, UNLV 13

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21

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