UNLV lost to San Jose State on Saturday, but still managed the program’s most wins since 1984. And the Rebels will likely still play in the Mountain West title game.
Ed Graney
Ed Graney is a sports columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, covering a variety of topics and the Las Vegas sports scene.
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Barry Odom is a really good football coach. But perhaps more impressive than on-field results has been the attitude Odom instills in his team. A winning one.
Essence Booker, one of four honored on Senior Salute afternoon, made key plays late to lift UNLV to an 18th straight win in beating San Diego State.
Many believe UNLV is capable of winning the Mountain West basketball tournament in March and securing the conference’s automatic NCAA Tournament berth.
The Rebels opened a two-game series with the second-place Aggies by winning 59-56, a game hardly known for aesthetics and yet one UNLV needed.
New eras have to start somewhere. This particular one did for Marcus Arroyo and UNLV football in a 34-6 loss to San Diego State on Saturday night in Carson, California.
Tony Sanchez, fired with one game remaining in his fifth season as Rebels football coach, leaves the program in much better shape than anyone who has held the job.
Cristian Garcia reached his current position through hard work and faith and defying odds, along the way stepping in to prevent a 19-year-old woman from a possible sexual assault.
In going 5-7 last season, UNLV still allowed averages of 31.8 points and 458.7 yards, still ranked ninth among 12 conference teams in total defense and still struggled forcing turnovers.