UNLV vs Wisconsin -- Game notes

For a few brief moments Saturday in Madison, Wis., the Rebels had something to celebrate: their first lead of 1998. And it came from the most unlikeliest of sources. Senior defensive tackle Ted Darnell ran back a Mike Samuel pass that had been deflected into the air by Rebel defensive end Talance Sawyer 50 yards for a touchdown to give a UNLV a 7-0 lead over the 14th-ranked Badgers just 2:28 into the game. However, Wisconsin, behind the bruising running of junior tailback Ron Dayne (108 yards, 13 carries) and backup Carlos Daniels (82 yards, 17 carries), rebounded to score 52 straight points and a 52-7 victory at Camp Randall Stadium. Progress? At least UNLV, thanks to the alert Darnell, had a lead to squander this time around. "I was coming in on a pass rush," Darnell said. "I get by my guy. I see Talance jump up, he tips the ball, I see it in the air and I just grabbed it. (Samuel) tried to grab me, but I got loose from him and just started running." It was one of the few bright spots in a disappointing 0-3 start for the Rebels. "I thought it was going to be a huge momentum change for us," Darnell said. "I thought we'd come back and respond. We were right there. It was a big play and that was just what we needed." Instead, Wisconsin's Nick Davis returned the ensuing kickoff 63 yards to the UNLV 31. Goodbye momentum. Seven plays later, Samuel snuck in from a yard out and the Badgers were on their way to another rout. ...

UNLV looked like it might rebound to take a 14-7 lead a few minutes later, but senior wide receiver Damon Williams fumbled at the Wisconsin 10 after catching a 35-yard pass from Chris Hayward. "I never had a chance to put it away, to secure it," Williams said. That was as close as UNLV would get to scoring again as Wisconsin rolled up 514 yards in total offense, including 325 yards rushing, to go along with 25 first downs and a huge 37:36 to 22:24 advantage in time of possession. UNLV, meanwhile, finished with just 159 total yards, 6 first downs and 23 yards rushing on 29 attempts (0.8 avg.). ... Although the final score might not show it, Hayward had a solid starting debut, completing his first four passes and 10 of 15 passes for 111 yards and one interception for the game. He did this despite being constantly on the run, getting sacked five times in three quarters while scrambling out of several more. "I thought he did some good things," UNLV coach Jeff Horton said, adding Hayward would start Saturday at Colorado State as well. "I thought he showed poise. He never got rattled. He took some hits. He might have made a couple of mental mistakes, but that's going to happen." ... Backup freshman tackle Faaolo Alovao (6-2, 270) of Waia'nae, Hawaii registered UNLV's first and only quarterback sack of the season in the second quarter. Meanwhile, UNLV quarterbacks have been sacked 16 times. ... The Rebels had four more turnovers, putting them at a dismal minus seven in turnover ratio for the year.

Next opponent

From the frying pan into the fire. The Rebels (0-3) travel to Fort Collins where WAC preseason favorite Colorado State (2-2), no doubt a wee bit angry after last Thursday's heartbreaking 30-27 loss at Air Force, will be waiting. It's also the Rams' first game of the year at Hughes Stadium after three road games (Michigan State, Nevada-Reno, Air Force) and one neutral site (Mile High Stadium vs. Colorado) contest.

By Steve Guiremand

Attendance

Saturday's crowd: 75,044.

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