Turning Point: Decker goes down
UCLA Bruins defensive lineman Takkarist McKinley (98) hits UNLV Rebels quarterback Kurt Palandech (14), causing him to throw an interception during the second quarter at Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 12 2015. Josh Holmberg/Las Vegas Review-Journal
After falling behind 10-0 very early, UNLV had started to settle in on both sides of the ball when starting quarterback Blake Decker appeared to injure his hamstring while scrambling for a first down on the final play of the first quarter.
It was disastrous for the Rebels.
Sophomore Kurt Palandech struggled mightily in relief, completing just 1 of 6 passes for minus-2 yards in the second quarter as the offense got completely stagnant. It didn’t get much better when he fumbled on his first dropback of the second half. Palandech finished 4-for-15 for 4 yards.
That’s not good.
Winning the game would have been a difficult task even had Decker been able to remain in the game. His departure not only made that an impossible task, it made keeping the contest close a longshot. An extended absence could be crippling for a program hoping to make consistent progress this season.
Contact reporter Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5509. Follow him on Twitter: @adamhilllvrj.
Check our GameDay coverage of the UNLV vs. UCLA.
