(virt)UNLV: Rebels can’t seize real-life momentum, fall to ‘Clones, 45-34

The virtual Ryan Greene

Saturday, Sept. 20, 2008 | 1:11 a.m.

Momentum apparently doesn't count for much in EA Sports land.

Despite UNLV's real-life 23-20 overtime victory at then-No. 15 Arizona State a week ago, the virtual world wasn't as kind to the Rebels, projecting Iowa State to come into Sam Boyd Stadium this Saturday and leave a 45-34 winner.

For the Rebels, the achilles heel was the pass defense. Despite holding Iowa State to just 26 yards on the ground, Cyclone sophomore quarterback Austen Arnaud completed 25-of-31 passes for 313 yards and five touchdowns - four of which went to sophomore Jason Carlson.

After the two teams traded field goals in the first quarter, UNLV opened up the scoring a bit when Omar Clayton hit Ryan Wolfe for a 33-yard touchdown strike. It only took Arnaud 1:26 to respond by hitting Carlson from a yard out on third-and-goal. A Kyle Watson chip-shot put the Rebels ahead 13-10 at the break.

The big swing came when ISU sandwiched a Clayton interception toss with a pair of Arnaud touchdown throws - one to Carlson, one to R.J. Sumrall.

Trailing 31-20 early in the fourth quarter, the fireworks began. The Rebels made their big push, first with Quinton Pointer thwarting another ISU scoring chance by picking off an Arnaud sideline throw and returning it 95 yards untouched for a score. Then, following a three-and-out by the Cyclones, Frank Summers leapt over a would-be tackler and galloped 59 yards for the go-ahead score, making it 34-32 with 4:52 to play.

ISU answered quickly with a 55-yard strike from Arnaud to Carlson, leaving Clayton & Co. 2:02 to get down the field and score trailing 38-34. The comeback was cut short when Allen Bell gave the ISU defense its fifth takeaway of the game as he picked off Clayton and capped the game with a 74-yard score off the turnover.

Despite Clayton's solid completion percentage (30-of-45 for 241 yards), his five picks hurt an otherwise balanced offensive showing by the Rebels. Summers had 104 yards on 16 carries, while the pass receptions were spread out quite a bit. Phillip Payne led the way with eight, while Ryan Wolfe had six for 77 yards. Rodelin Anthony had five and Casey Flair snagged four.

The loss left the virtual Rebels 1-3 heading into its rivalry showdown with Nevada.