Utes leave Rebels behind with first-half flurry

What happens to struggling football teams was what happened to UNLV on Saturday.

For the first time in three weeks, the Rebels were competitive and even outplayed No. 24 Utah from time to time.

But UNLV couldn't make up for one brief period in which nothing went right and suffered its fourth straight loss, 35-15, at Sam Boyd Stadium.

The Rebels spent most of the night in catch-up mode after two interceptions -- the second turning into a crazy fumble return for a touchdown -- broke open the game in the first half. The Utes (5-1, 2-0 Mountain West) took a 28-6 halftime lead with three touchdowns in a 6:18 span.

The Rebels dropped to 2-5, 0-3, and speculation about the job security of fifth-year coach Mike Sanford figures to intensify. UNLV must win four of its final five games to even become bowl eligible and likely save Sanford's job. But with road trips to Texas Christian and Air Force, only the most optimistic Rebels backer is plotting such scenarios.

The Rebels head to winless New Mexico next Saturday, a game that carries ultimate importance for a Rebels team desperately in need of a win.

UNLV was competitive statistically against Utah. The Rebels had 23 first downs to 14 for Utah and held the ball for 34:44. Each team gained 327 yards.

Utes tailback Eddie Wide, who went to Cimarron-Memorial High School, returned to his hometown and rushed for 111 yards on 17 carries, including a 37-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.

UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton completed 23 of 44 passes for 223 yards and two costly first-half interceptions that helped put the Rebels in a hole despite outgaining Utah 186-139 by halftime.

On the first interception, Clayton threw into triple coverage and to Utah safety Robert Johnson, who picked off three passes last week at Colorado State. Johnson returned the interception 31 yards to UNLV's 8-yard line and the Utes scored two plays later for a 21-6 lead.

Then came a truly bizarre play. Clayton was intercepted by Utah defensive tackle Christian Cox, who fumbled into the hands of Johnson, who shot down the field for a 64-yard fumble return for a touchdown and 28-6 lead with 1:11 left in the half.

Clayton threw only four interceptions in nine starts last season, but already has nine this year.

Especially in light of the Rebels' recent struggles -- being blown out by a combined 122-49 by UNR and Brigham Young the past two weeks -- they could have given in but battled back in the second half.

A 2-yard touchdown pass from Clayton to Phillip Payne (the 2-point try failed) and a 37-yard field goal by kicker Kyle Watson brought the Rebels to within 28-15 with 4:33 remaining.

They threatened to pull within 10 when Quinton Pointer forced a fumble by Wide, and fellow UNLV cornerback Warren Zeigler recovered at the Utes' 34.

UNLV wound up lining up for a 30-yard field-goal attempt, but Sanford ran down the field to call timeout. The Rebels then ran a fake field goal with holder Ben Jaekle. The play failed, and the decison had to leave many UNLV fans wondering about Sanford's strategy.

"It was designed, but it wasn't executed properly," Sanford said. "I'm not going to go into detail about what happened because I might want to use it again."

Momentum immediately swung back to Utah, which drove 87 yards to go ahead 35-15 with 12:55 left to end any remaining drama. Wide's run capped the drive.

The victory was the 600th in Utah history. The Utes have a 600-418-31 record in 116 seasons.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.