UNLV Game Notes

When Jeff Horton appeared for his postgame media briefing following Saturday night's extremely disappointing 52-10 loss to Air Force at Sam Boyd Stadium, it wasn't hard to notice a big bandaid above the left eye of the UNLV head coach. Although the bandaid was to cover a small cut from recent skin cancer treatment, it couldn't have been more appropriate this night. "We got our butts kicked up and down the field," Horton said matter-of-factly. "We've got to find some more fighters, find some more scratchers and clawers on this football team. Those will be the players to go with us to Wisconsin." Those certainly weren't the players who showed up for the WAC opener with the Falcons. Air Force --- remember, this was supposed to be UNLV's best shot at a September victory based on last season's narrow 25-24 loss at Colorado Springs to the Falcons --- made it look surprisingly easy against the Rebels, opening up a 38-3 lead midway through the third quarter before emptying its bench. Some of the more telling stats of just how one-sided this debacle was: Air Force finished with 383 yards rushing while UNLV, thanks in part to seven quarterback sacks, had minus 6 yards on the ground. The Falcons had 18 first downs rushing while the Rebels had just two. Air Force finished with 482 total yards while UNLV had just 273, including just 63 yards in the first half when the contest was still semi-competitive. "In the first half, we played hard, but we just didn't do the things we needed to do," senior defensive tackle Ted Darnell said. "I thought we executed well at times. But when we didn't, they broke the big plays. Against Air Force, you've got to execute the entire game or they get 52 points." ... Air Force was particularly effective on third down, converting an amazing 14 of 17 chances. The Falcons were also a perfect 7-for-7 in the red zone (six touchdowns, one field goal). Quarterback Blane Morgan led the way with touchdown runs of 7, 1 and 1 yards. ... UNLV had three more turnovers compared to none for the Falcons. The Rebels, who had a dismal minus 17 turnover ratio a year ago, already are minus five for this season. ... Redshirt freshman quarterback Chris Hayward made his UNLV quarterbacking debut in the third quarter and promptly drove the Rebels 80 yards in six plays culminating with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Carlos Baker. It was the first touchdown the Falcon defense had allowed in 14 regular season quarters dating to Nov. 1, 1997. ... The 52-10 final marked a tie for the eighth worst loss in UNLV history. It was the fifth time the Rebels have lost a game by 42 points.

Next opponent

It doesn't get any easier as the Rebels travel to Wisconsin (2-0) to face the Badgers and Heisman Trophy candidate Ron Dayne. Dayne, who missed Wisconsin's season-opening win over San Diego State because of a sprained ankle, returned to action in Wisconsin's 45-0 victory over Ohio Saturday and rushed for 111 yards and three TDs on 20 carries before departing midway through the third quarter. He needs just 33 yards Saturday to become the school's career rushing leader.

Attendance

Saturday's crowd: 20,279.

Season total: 20,279 (1 game).

Average per date: 20,279.

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