Howard shocks Rebels as 45-point underdog
Post game reaction on UNLV football's loss to Howard (Mark Anderson/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
UNLV running back Charles Williams (8) is taken down by Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV wide receiver Devonte Boyd (83) is tackled by Howard defensive back Travon Hunt (18) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard Bison quarterback Caylin Newton (3) throws a pass against UNLV Mike Hughes Jr (99) during the first quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers (1) runs past the Howard Bison during the third quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Howard Bison quarterback Caylin Newton (3) throws a pass against UNLV during the second quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Howard Bison defensive back Charles Robinson (37) is spiff armed by UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers (1) during the third quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Howard Bison quarterback Caylin Newton (3) is tackled by UNLV defensive lineman Jason Fao (95) during the third quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Howard Bison quarterback Caylin Newton (3) is tackled by UNLV defensive back Tim Hough (13) and defensive lineman Nick Dehdashtian (98) during the fourth quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Howard won 43-40. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Howard Bison linebacker Devin Hurtado (35) celebrates after defeating UNLV 43-40 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Howard won 43-40. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV running back Charles Williams (8) is forced out of bounds by Howard defensive back Tye Freeland (17) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard defensive back Travon Hunt (18) breaks up a pass intended for UNLV wide receiver Devonte Boyd during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard defensive back Travon Hunt (18) breaks up a pass intended for UNLV wide receiver Devonte Boyd (83) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard running back Dezmond Wortham (20) is tackled by UNLV linebacker Brian Keyes (5) and linebacker Bailey Laolagi (48) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV wide receiver Jericho Flowers (7) runs the ball against Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard wide receiver Jordan Scott (13) runs the ball against UNLV during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV running back Charles Williams (8) is taken down by Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers (1) makes a pass during a football game against Howard at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard running back Anthony Philyaw, right, is tackled by UNLV defensive back Tim Hough (13) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard fans cheer as their team scores a touchdown against UNLV during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard running back Anthony Philyaw (7) runs the ball past UNLV defensive back Dalton Baker (33) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers (1) runs the ball against Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard's Devin Rollins, right, reaches out for a fumble from UNLV before making it to the end zone during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard fans cheer during a football game against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers (1) throws a pass during a football game against Howard at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV wide receiver Brandon Presley (80) runs the ball against Howard defensive back Tye Freeland (17) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV running back Lexington Thomas (3) drives past Howard defensive back Bryan Cook (6) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV wide receiver Darren Woods Jr. (10) looks to get past Howard linebacker Marcellos Allison (28) and defensive back Tye Freeland (17) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV running back Lexington Thomas (3) is tackled by Howard defense during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV fans watch as their team plays Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV fans watch as their team plays Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV wide receiver Devonte Boyd (83) jumps into the end zone to score against Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV wide receiver Devonte Boyd (83) scores against Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers, right, reacts after a touchdown by UNLV wide receiver Devonte Boyd, center, during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV defensive lineman Mike Hughes Jr. (99) takes down Howard running back Anthony Philyaw (7) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard Bison head coach Mike London shouts to his team during a football game against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard Bison quarterback Caylin Newton (3) is tripped up by UNLV defensive lineman Jason Fao (95) during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard wide receiver Kyle Anthony (81) runs the ball as UNLV defensive back Evan Austrie, left, and wide receiver Jericho Flowers defend during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV running back Lexington Thomas (3) scores a touchdown against Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV running back Lexington Thomas (3) celebrates a touchdown over Howard during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV wide receiver Drew Tejchman (11) loses control of the ball while being tackled by Howard running back Anthony Philyaw during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard defensive back Travon Hunt (18) reacts after the team took possession of the ball after a fumble by UNLV during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
A Howard fan reacts after the team took possession of the ball after a fumble by UNLV during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV fans react as their team falls behind Howard in the final moments of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
UNLV fans react as their team falls behind Howard in the final moments of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard players celebrate after defeating UNLV 43-40 during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard's Jordan Scott (13) and Cody Williams Jr. (86_ celebrate with teammates after defeating UNLV 43-40 during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard's Guy Lemonier Jr. celebrates with teammates after defeating UNLV 43-40 during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Howard players celebrate after defeating UNLV 43-40 during a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017. Chase Stevens Las Vegas Review-Journal @csstevensphoto
Updated September 2, 2017 - 11:30 pm
UNLV has had some bad losses in its horrid football history.
None was as bad as Saturday night.
The Rebels were 45-point favorites and found themselves in trouble from the beginning, and in losing 43-40 to FCS member Howard at Sam Boyd Stadium threw into major doubt all the optimism coach Tony Sanchez expressed in the leadup to the season.
The loss is believed to be the biggest upset in college football history according to the point spread.
Now the Rebels have to find a way to regroup and get on with the rest of their season, beginning next Saturday at Idaho. That game looked as if it would be a strong indication of whether UNLV’s hope for making a bowl was realistic.
Such talk now would be laughable.
Howard quarterback Caylin Newton scored what turned out to be the winning touchdown with a 4-yard run with 7:34 left. It also turned out to be the last score of the night. Newton, a freshman and the younger brother of Carolina Panthers star Cam Newton, rushed for 190 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries.
That overshadowed the highly anticipated debut of UNLV redshirt freshman quarterback Armani Rogers, who completed 11 of 19 passes for 220 yards and one touchdown. He also rushed for 82 yards on nine carries.
Lexington Thomas led the Rebels with 151 yards and two touchdowns on 21 rushes, but UNLV’s defense couldn’t stop Howard’s ground attack. The Bison rushed for 309 yards.
More Rebels: Follow all of our UNLV coverage online at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJRebels on Twitter.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.
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