UNLV’s offensive newcomers quickly find groove

After Tony Sanchez’s first season as coach last year, UNLV bolstered its offense with a highly regarded recruiting class.

It didn’t take long for the new pieces to jell.

The Rebels’ offense came out firing in the season opener Thursday night against Jackson State at Sam Boyd Stadium, totaling 311 yards and 42 points in the first half of a 63-13 victory.

UNLV has scored more points in a first half one other time — 52 in the first half against Idaho State last season.

Four junior college transfers and five true freshmen took part in the rout, the most notable being starting quarterback Johnny Stanton. The former Nebraska player threw for three touchdowns in the half.

Transfers Michael Chevalier (offensive line), Tim Holt (tight end) and Trevor Kanteman (tight end) also got into the game for UNLV.

The Rebels also had true freshmen Jaron Caldwell (offensive line), Julio Garcia (offensive line), Mekhi Stevenson (wide receiver), Elijah Trosclair (wide receiver) and Charles Williams (running back) play.

Williams finished as UNLV’s leading rusher with 12 carries for 96 yards.

Caldwell and Garcia were ESPN two-star recruits coming out of Bishop Gorman High School. Stevenson, Trosclair and Williams, who all went to high school in California, were not ranked by ESPN.

CRASHES AFFECT CROWD

The stands of Sam Boyd Stadium were largely unfilled at the opening kickoff, with two traffic accidents causing delays for fans on their way to the game.

A driver ran into a power box at the intersection of Boulder Highway and East Russell Road in the afternoon, and traffic was still backed up before kickoff.

There was also another crash on the southbound ramp of Interstate 15 leading to northbound U.S. Highway 95 in the afternoon.

The crowd steadily arrived during the first half, with the stands filling out before Jackson State’s marching band, the “Sonic Boom of the South,” performed during an extended halftime.

The announced attendance was 18,575.

GREENE STRIKES GOLD

Senior David Greene had gone his entire Rebels career without a touchdown. Until Thursday.

Greene reached the end zone for the first time with a 1-yard plunge early in the second quarter to give UNLV a 35-7 lead.

The goal-line carry was the only time Greene touched the ball in the first half. He finished with six rushes for 30 yards.

PANTELS DOES IT ALL

Transfer Evan Pantels did it all for the Rebels on special teams, handling kicking and punting duties.

Pantels made nine extra points, one after each UNLV touchdown, and punted twice with an average of 35.5 yards.

He also handled all six kickoffs in the first half. Four of them went for touchbacks, and the other two pinned Jackson State inside its 20-yard line.

HAWTHORNE DISRUPTIVE ON D

Senior safety Troy Hawthorne was all over the field when he was in the game, finishing with five tackles, an interception and a forced fumble.

Hawthorne had one career interception entering the game.