Cornett sets rushing record but Bulldogs blow out UNLV

FINAL

FRESNO, Calif. — Derek Carr passed for 412 yards and four touchdowns, all four TDs to Davante Adams, to lead Fresno State to a 38-14 victory over UNLV tonight at Bulldog Stadium.

The No. 17 Bulldogs (6-0, 3-0 Mountain West) took sole possession of first place in the West Division. UNLV (4-3, 2-1) had its four-game winning streak snapped.

Fresno State outgained the Rebels 639-294.

UNLV next plays at UNR on Saturday.

THIRD QUARTER

UNLV extended its lead to 38-14, outscoring the Rebels 10-0 in the third quarter.

Derek Carr threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to Davante Adams, the fourth time the two connected on TD throws. Colin McGuire added a 36-yard field goal.

Tim Cornett became UNLV’s career leading rusher with a 6-yard gain in the third quarter. He has 3,158 yards, surpassing Mike Thomas’ mark by nine set in 1973 and 1974. Cornett, however, left the game with a right knee injury shortly afterward. His status wasn’t immediately available.

SECOND QUARTER

UNLV and Fresno State traded touchdowns, and the Bulldogs took at 28-14 lead into halftime.

The Bulldogs outgained UNLV 404 yards to 205, but wasted opportunities to take more control with a missed field goal, interception and failed chance to score right before the end of the second quarter.

UNLV scored touchdowns on a 73-yard run by Shaquille Murray-Lawrence and a 13-yard pass from Caleb Herring to Marcus Sullivan. Fresno State’s TDs came on a 2-yard run by Josh Quezada and 36-yard pass from Derek Carr to Davante Adams. It was Adams’ third touchdown reception of the game.

FIRST QUARTER

Derek Carr threw two touchdown passes to Davante Davis, and Fresno State dominated the first quarter in taking a 14-0 lead.

The Bulldogs outgained UNLV 215 yards to 27, and was threatening to score when the quarter end.

Carr completed a 75-yard touchdown pass to Adams on the game’s first play, and the two later hooked up for a 28-yard TD.

PREGAME

UNLV’s defense could be tested more than it has all football season when it faces Fresno State at 7 p.m. today.

The 17th-ranked Bulldogs (5-0, 2-0 Mountain West) average 47.4 points and 538 yards per game, and they have a quarterback in Derek Carr chasing school career records. Carr is just three touchdown passes and 33 completions from breaking the Bulldogs’ records in those categories.

UNLV (4-2, 2-0), which has won four in a row for the first time in 13 years, should be able to move the ball as well. They average 33.3 points and 447.2 yards, and Fresno State gives up averages nearly identical to those marks.

The game will not be televised, but fans can watch free online at reviewjournal.com/unlvfootball and at unlvrebels.com.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.