UNLV Overcomes 13-0 Deficit To Defeat In-State Rival Nevada-Reno, Claim Fremont Cannon With 27-22 Win Saturday
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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher/Writer
UNLV had a deal for Rebels fans Saturday.
The sports folks were pitching a triple header of women’s hoops, football and Runnin’ Rebels games for 60 bucks with parking at Allegiant Stadium or $42 without parking.
LVSportsBiz.com caught up with UNLV Athletic Director Erick Harper before the UNLV-UNReno senior game at Allegiant Stadium to find about the hat trick of UNLV sports events.
Harper said about 100 three-game packages were sold. The women’s basketball team defeated George Washington, 73-63, before the UNLV football team got off to a very rough start against the Nevada team from Reno.
The first time UNLV had the ball, it was three plays and out before the Wolfpack blocked a punt. Two field goals and a long touchdown pass resulted in a 13-0 lead for Reno.
The Rebs got quite a jolt when safety Johnathan Baldwin picked up a Reno fumble and ran 55 yards for a defensive score and UNLV had cut the deficit to 13-7 after one quarter.
The Rebels raised expectations in this market by winning four of their first five games and sporting a 4-1 record. But Marcus Arroyo’s team has lost six straight games, including a lame loss to Hawaii a week ago. Today’s in-state rivalry foe has won only two games entering today’s game.
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Before the game, Harper the Rebs AD, was hanging out with LVCVA tourism chief Steve Hill. The LVCVA received news during the week that the NCAA Final Four was coming to Las Vegas in 2028.
Here’s Hill and Harper on the Final Four.
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Rebels quarterback Harrison Bailey, who came in for Doug Brumfield in the first quarter, found wide receiver Kyle Williams down the left sideline for a 49-yard touchdown and just like that UNLV had erased Reno’s 13-point lead and led, 14-13, with11:32 left in the second quarter.
The Rebels’ most consistent player, Daniel Gutierrez, booted a field goal before halftime and UNLV led, 17-13, after the first 30 minutes.
UNLV broke its six-game losing streak by winning, 27-22, even though the Wolf Pack outgained the Rebels, 458-281. Quarterback Harrison Bailey relieved an injured Doug Brumfield and completed 16 of his 27 throws for 209 yards and two touchdowns passes. Meanwhile, running back Aidan Robbins ran 20 times for 87 yards.
Awesome way to finish, especially for the seniors. We went into the week, all in, and were 1000% focused on the seniors, that cannon and finishing strong. When you get into a game like this, with the season we’ve had and a time like this, those are tough games, we knew it. All those numbers are out the window, you gotta go in and battle. Harrison came in and stepped up big time. A lot of guys came in, stepped up big time and they believed. That’s a big deal. Overcoming adversity and pushing through is all we’ve tried to really set forth with the group. — UNLV head coach Marcus Arroyo
UNLV finishes the regular season, 5-7, after winning two games last season.
Now, it’s time for UNLV’s Runnin’ Rebels to play Life Pacific at 7:30PM. It was not even close. UNLV 126 Life Pacific, an NAIA school, 54. UNLV is 7-0 on the season.
