UNLV raises the dead, loses to UNR, 63-28
I guess the good news is UNLV is blessed with the gift of raising the dead.
Follow this link to the main UNLV vs. UNR story
That’s right. It’s amazing! Praise the gridiron deities!
The Rebels’ football team can turn a team suffering from big-schedule rigor mortis into an offensive powerhouse. For proof look no further that UNLV’s 63-28 loss to previously winless UNR on Saturday. (Remember, UNR lost to Notre Dame and Missouri earlier this season.)
“They were looking for a breakout game today, and they got one,” Rebels announcer Dave McCann said, speaking of UNR and displaying a gift of understatement.
Frankly, my favorite McCann line, which I’m sure he wouldn’t want remembered, is this beauty: “It could very well be 80-14.”
And he’s right, of course. The UNR team fumbled the football four times, three times after reeling off impressive gains. In other words, it wasn’t as if UNLV’s defense was applying pressure.
Although the game was tied, 28-28, with less than a minute to go in the third quarter, the last time I checked football games consisted of four quarters. And UNR turned up a little heat and broke the spines of the Rebels.
Forget this being a poorly coached game by UNLV Coach Mike Sanford. It was. And those who have bragged about UNLV’s cardboard offensive statistics (Great on third downs! Big inside the 20!) can officially keep quiet the rest of the season.
Against a team with pretty good talent but an excellent coach, UNLV seemed hapless. (I listened to the game on KWWN. I didn't see the game. I have a weak stomach.) The offense was lacing up its shoes throughout the game, playing catch-up because the defense simply refrained from stopping UNR’s running game.
Here’s something you don’t want to see: UNR’s punter didn’t need to suit up. He didn’t kick a single football during the game. For heaven’s sake, the Reno team’s best running back was on the sidelines. And UNR still managed to eek out 560 yards on the ground. (The team hadn’t gained that many yards in its first three games.) Here’s a slap in the face for UNLV and its coach: Former Desert Pines star Mike Ball, who had about one yard of offense before Saturday’s game, rushed 15 times for 184 yards – 12 yards a carry! – and a mere five touchdowns.
That’s right. The guy Sanford didn’t recruit scored 30 points. He beat the Rebels by himself.
Frankly, I’m glad UNLV’s coaching brain trust didn’t recruit this guy. He couldn’t play at the University of Maryland Parkway. He’s far too energetic.
“They got a score and we didn’t answer,” Sanford said afterward, clarifying everything. “They got another score and we didn’t answer.”
UNR ran three fewer plays and gained 427 more yards than the Rebels.
And, despite UNLV giving up 774 yards in total offense, it could have been substantially worse.
I won’t call for Sanford’s resignation this week. I will call him to continue raising the dead. I think he's found his calling.
