UNLV’s Xzaviar Campbell, 35, leaps Idaho State’s Erik Collins, 8, during a long run at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Published Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 | 4:57 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 | 9:23 p.m.
UNLV 80, Idaho State 8
Game over
This was everything the Rebels wanted and more. Like, 50 points more.
UNLV set all kinds of program records in tonight's 80-8 victory against Idaho State at Sam Boyd Stadium, most notably for most points scored in a game. What might stick out the most is that UNLV did so with only 109 passing yards.
The Rebels finished with 517 rushing yards, the second-most in program history and the most since 1973. The 35 points they scored in the first quarter broke the record for most points in a quarter, which was set in UNLV's first season of football (1968).
Freshman running backs Xzaviar Campbell and Lexington Thomas each eclipsed 100 rushing yards.
Check lasvegassun.com later tonight for a full report from the Rebels' victory.
The Rebel Room
The Rebels' Season Starts Now
Now that UNLV is through the toughest part of its schedule — and made it here relatively healthy — the Rebels will have a chance to build on some of the positives we've seen thus far. Las Vegas Sun sports editor Ray Brewer and reporters Case Keefer and Taylor Bern discuss what to expect from the Rebels moving forward.
More Coverage
- Bern’s-Eye View: Mountain West Football Picks Week 4
- Take 5: UNLV takes aim at Idaho State in pursuit of first victory of season
- Hot off the Presser: Sanchez looks forward to Rebels tasting sweet victory
- Bern’s-Eye View: What should we expect from rest of UNLV’s season?
- The Sun's UNLV football section
There will come a day when the manner of victory matters, when the how and the why and the what-does-this-mean for the rest of the season take precedent over the yes/no answer to a simple question: Did UNLV win?
Today the only thing that really matters is an answer in the affirmative as the Rebels (0-3) return home to Sam Boyd Stadium to face Division I-AA opponent Idaho State (1-2). The game kicks off at 6:05 p.m. and will stream on unlvrebels.com via the Mountain West Network.
UNLV is a 10-point favorite at the South Point and as high as a 13-point favorite at Westgate. The game wasn’t on the board all week because Idaho State is in the Big Sky Conference.
It’s possible that the game won’t be anywhere that close. The Bengals already have a 20-point home loss to Big Sky foe Portland State and their quarterback, Michael Sanders, in his fourth game after playing at the same junior college as UNLV quarterback Blake Decker.
If UNLV’s defense plays the same type of first half that we’ve seen so far this year then everything should be good. Of course, that assumes that the D isn’t handed awful field position by the offense. So I guess really the goal today is a similar defensive performance combined with no offensive turnovers.
The latter should be easier today since I think UNLV coach Tony Sanchez wants to lean heavily on the running game. If that gets off to a good start then I’d expect the Rebels to double down, which should create passing opportunities in more advantageous one-on-one situations.
Bern’s prediction: The South Point has the most favorable line in town, which means I get a couple of extra points when backing the home favorite today. UNLV 36, Idaho State 18
Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.
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