Rebels survive home opener 13-12; Sullivan injured

UNLV Rebels running back Keith Whitely (28) is tackled by Northern Colorado Bears wide receiver Sean Leslie (83) after making a catch in the first quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Fans participate in activities before the UNLV football season home opener at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Kyle Broyard, senior at UNLV, plays music during a tail gate party before the UNLV football season home opener at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

An UNLV Rebels flag flies outside of Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas before the football season home opener for the Rebels Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

DJ Reese, 15, throws the ball before the UNLV football game outside of Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Jake Rava, left, 8, and his brother Luke, 6, pose for a portrait before the UNLV football season home opener at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV alumni Andy Gums sets up a tent for a tail gate party before the UNLV football season home opener at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Kyle Broyard, senior at UNLV, poses for a portrait during a tail gate party before the UNLV football season home opener at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV seniors Shawn Pearson, left, and Andrew Tamura, have a drink during a tail gate party before the UNLV football season home opener at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Kyle Broyard, senior at UNLV, ties a bandana to his head as he plays music during a tail gate party before the UNLV football season home opener at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

DJ Reese, 15, throws the ball before the UNLV football game outside of Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV Rebels wide receiver Devante Davis (81) runs the ball after a catch against the Northern Colorado Bears in the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV Rebels defensive back Tajh Hasson (29) tackles Northern Colorado Bears wide receiver Dimitri Stimphil (3) after making a catch in the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV Rebels defensive back Mike Horsey (32) jumps in celebration with UNLV Rebels defensive lineman Brandon Willis (92) after a play against the Northern Colorado Bears in the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Northern Colorado Bears quarterback Sean Rubalcaba (15) is sacked by UNLV Rebels defensive lineman Jordan Sparkman (85) and UNLV Rebels linebacker Trent Langham (50) in the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)

UNLV Rebels quarterback Blake Decker (5) makes a pass against Northern Colorado Bears in the first quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (Erik Verduzco/Las Vegas Review-Journal)