Heartbreaking Loss For UNLV To Syracuse In OT Before 31,329 Friday, But HC Barry Odom Says Stadium’s Electric Atmosphere ‘Felt Like A Real Program’
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By Alan Snel, LVSportsBiz.com Publisher-Writer
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — UNLV head football coach Barry Odom knew his players were heartbroken after the Rebels overcame two double-digit deficits in both halves only to lose in overtime, 44-41, to Syracuse at Allegiant Stadium Friday night.
But as much as he was disappointed with UNLV’s first loss that will cause the Rebels to lose its number 25 AP ranking, Odom saw a sliver of positivity in the devastating defeat: “It felt like a real program.”
Indeed, powerful words from a former coach of an SEC team, Missouri.
So Odom knows bigtime football.
The lower bowl of Allegiant Stadium, home of the NFL Raiders, was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with 31,329 fans — the third largest announced attendance for a UNLV football game in this stadium. The most attended UNLV football game here was 35,193 in 2021 for the Iowa State game that included a quarterback by the name of Brock Purdy and 31,473 for last year’s Mountain West Conference title game.
Odom loved the atmosphere of the game and the intensity of the fans’ involvement.
“I hate we came up short,” Odom said at his postgame presser.
Even thought UNLV lost the game, you sensed the program moved forward tonight.
The Rebels played with guts and fortitude.
They trailed, 14-0, to Syracuse after the first period only to counter with 21 straight points to lead, 21-14, in the second quarter. An Orange field goal made it, 21-17, at halftime.
UNLV came back again.
Syracuse scored 14 straight points again to start the second half and led, 31-21.
But the Rebels staged their second comeback of the game, scoring 17 straight points to lead, 38-31, in the fourth quarter.
UNLV entered the AP poll at number 25 with a 4-0 record coming into tonight’s game and the team has become a more relevant force on the competitive Las Vegas sports landscape thanks to that start.
Even with a starting quarterback leaving after the first three wins, UNLV did not miss a beat with new quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, a transfer from Campbell, at the helm of a 59-point onslaught against Fresno State a mere six days ago here in Las Vegas.
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But UNLV could not hang on for the win.
Syracuse scored a late TD to force overtime.
The Rebels made a field goal in OT.
But Syracuse countered with a TD and it was game over.
UNLV does need to work on its defense, which gave up 34 first downs and 492 total yards. The Rebels, in contrast, had 20 first downs and 354 total yards.
Williams did complete 21 of 25 passes, but an interception in the third quarter set up a Syracuse running touchdown on the next play.
