UNLV rolls over Air Force despite cold, wins Twitter’s undying love

UNLV became bowl eligible Thursday night for the first time since 2000, rolling over Air Force and giving Twitter a reason to celebrate.

No one could have known UNLV would score the first 27 points of the game, of course — and most people were more concerned about the cold, anyway.

“Zero and I mean zero fun happening tonight in the #UNLVvsAFA game. Snow on the field. 12 people in the stands and they might be Yeti,” tweeted @pshuck.

Then the touchdowns started rolling in. Three TDs from Tim Cornett and two from quarterback Caleb Herring left the score going into halftime at 33-14.

“For the first time in a long time I’m happy, excited and actually genuinely care when watching a rebel football game #UNLVFB #rebels,” tweeted @Winesd.

The Rebels were playing like they “really wanted to go to a bowl game,” many said. And they looked more comfortable in the cold than Air Force did.

“Many thought it’d be a cold day in hell that hauck would get Rebels bowling. Turns out, it might just be cold day in Colorado #unlvfb,” tweeted #Rebel_Net.

UNLV held on to their lead until the end, giving fans something they haven’t seen in more than a decade:

“#UNLV 41, Air Force 21. The Rebels are bowl eligible for the first time since the 2000 season. #UNLVFB #VEGAS #SINCITYLOVE,” tweeted @VegasHaze.

“Bowl eligible baby! Haven’t been since 2000. Lets do somethin’ big rebs!” tweeted @gunner_s9.

Cornett, who reached 1,000 rushing yards for the season and rushed for four touchdowns, was huge for UNLV.

“Should #unlvfb one day retire Cornett’s jersey? All time leading rushing, led team to rare bowl eligibility?” tweeted @raybrewer21.

#UNLVFB was the top trending hashtag on Twitter in Las Vegas Thursday night after the game.

“#UNLVFB: Big win and Twitter trending! There IS college football in Vegas!” tweeted @CDReed.

@TheDrewster35 summed it up:

“#UNLV wins the Cannon for the first time since 2004 & becomes bowl eligible for the first time since 2000. How could you not be happy?”

Next up for the Rebels is San Diego State at home on Nov. 30.

Contact Stephanie Grimes at sgrimes@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @steph_grimes