Live blog: Overtime touchdown pass leads UNLV over UNR

By Mike Grimala (contact), Case Keefer (contact)

Published Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 | 2 a.m.

Updated Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019 | 3:35 p.m.

The Fremont Cannon is staying red for a second straight year.

UNLV defeated UNR 33-30 in overtime when Kenyon Oblad found Steve Jenkins open racing into the end zone for a 19-yard touchdown. UNLV blew a 17-0 first-quarter lead when UNR scored on a 1-yard touchdown run from Devonte Lee with 1:32 to play.

The Wolf Pack got the ball first in overtime but failed to gain a yard. Brandon Talton knocked through a 42-yard field goal to give UNR its first lead of the game at 30-27.

It proved short-lived as Oblad's third touchdown pass came on the third play of UNLV's overtime drive. A brief brawl broke out in the end zone after the game following Jenkins running past the UNR sidelines.

The win gives UNLV coach Tony Sanchez a victory in his final game, as he was fired earlier in the week, and a third triumph against UNR in five career tries.

Check back to lasvegassun.com for more coverage later.

On to overtime in Reno

The fate of the Fremont Cannon will be decided outside of the 60 minutes of regulation.

UNLV is headed to overtime, tied 27-27 with UNR at Mackay Stadium. UNR hasn't led for a second of the game but tied the score with 1:32 remaining when Devonte Lee scored on a 1-yard touchdown run.

The Rebels allowed two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Their only second-half points came on a 50-yard field goal from Daniel Gutierrez midway through the fourth quarter.

UNR quarterback Carson Strong has found a rhythm, completing 33 of 52 passes for 351 yards on the afternoon. UNLV quarterback Kenyon Oblad had been solid with 204 passing yards and two touchdowns but nearly threw three interceptions with a chance for a game-winning drive.

UNR cuts UNLV's lead down to seven points with 6:47 to play

For the first time since early in the first quarter, it's a one-score game in Reno.

UNR just scored on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Carson Strong to Dominic Christian to cap an 8-play, 70-yard drive and make the score 27-20. UNLV has only managed a single, 50-yard field goal from Daniel Gutierrez since halftime.

The Rebels' time of possession is nearly eight minutes less than the Wolf Pack's, but they may need to sustain a drive to ensure a win in the rivalry game.

UNR roars back in second quarter, then gives up long touchdown

The Wolf Pack nearly completed a comeback to tie the game with three straight scores, but now find themselves down 24-13 at halftime anyway.

UNR's latest scoring drive stalled inside the UNLV red zone and it settled for a 31-yard field goal from Brandon Talton to cut the score to 17-13. On the next play, Kenyon Oblad completed a 75-yard touchdown pass to Steve Jenkins for the Rebels' second one-yard scoring drive of the afternoon.

UNR's only touchdown came early in the quarter when Devonte Lee punched in a two-yard run to cap off a nine-play drive and get his team on the board for the first time.

UNLV up 17-0 after first quarter

Daniel Gutierrez, Charles Williams, and now, Mekhi Stevenson. It's been three drives, three different ways to find points for the Rebels at Mackay Stadium.

Kenyon Oblad found Mehki Stevenson for a 32-yard touchdown strike in the final scoring before the end of the quarter. It's been all Rebels, but in last year's game, it was all Wolf Pack at this point.

UNLV rallied back from a 23-0 deficit for the win. That's a long way of saying there's a lot of game left in Reno.

Rebels strike first, lead 10-0

Two long running plays have set up two scores for UNLV on its first two drives against rival UNR — one significantly longer than the other.

Charles Williams burst through a gaping hole for an 80-yard touchdown 10 minutes into the game, adding to a 40-yard field goal from Daniel Gutierrez on the Rebels' first drive. Gutierrez was set up by a 16-yard sweep by Courtney Reese.

UNR drove down to the UNLV 12-yard line on its second drive, but missed a short field goal.

Pre-game

There's no other way to put it, UNLV's 2019 season has been a disappointment. The Rebels came into the year expecting to qualify for a bowl game, but two separate four-game losing streaks ended that dream a month ago. Now they're playing for pride and for the Fremont Cannon, which will be at stake on Saturday at UNR.

Can the Rebels beat their in-state rivals and keep the cannon red for a second consecutive year? Three keys to watch:

Ride the Chuck Wagon

Charles Williams is having a tremendous junior campaign (1,119 yards, 10 touchdowns, 5.8 yards per carry) and it looks like he is finishing strong. He carried the ball 27 times last week against San Jose State for 186 yards and three touchdowns (all season highs), and the offensive game plan is going to be similar against a UNR defense that has allowed 4.1 yards per carry this year. If the UNLV offensive line can continue opening holes, Williams will get the ball 20-plus times on Saturday.

Catch the ball — on defense

After going through a turnover drought that lasted for most of the season, the Rebels defense has been on fire when it comes to takeaways recently. UNLV had four interceptions (and a fumble recovery) against San Jose State last week, and the game before that saw the Rebels forced three turnovers against Hawaii. UNR quarterbacks have thrown 13 interceptions this season; when Rebels defensive backs get a chance to make a play, they've got to make it.

Attack downfield

The UNLV coaching staff has brought Kenyon Oblad along slowly, mostly choosing to limit the passing game to quicker, shorter throws since the redshirt freshman took over. But as Oblad has gotten more comfortable, the playbook has opened up and last week he was at his most effective when targeting receivers downfield. With sophomore Randal Grimes emerging as a legit big-play wideout (44 catches, 696 yards, 7 touchdowns), expect Oblad to take some deep shots to test the UNR secondary.

TV: AT&T SportsNet, 12 p.m.

Betting line: UNR -7; over/under 52

UNLV 3-8

Coach: Tony Sanchez

Leading passer: Kenyon Oblad: 52.8 percent, 1,852 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INTs

Leading rusher: Charles Williams: 1,119 yards, 5.8 yards per carry, 10 TDs

Leading receiver: Randal Grimes: 44 catches, 696 yards, 7 TDs

Leading defender: Javin White: 68 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 INTs

UNR 7-4

Coach: Jay Norvell

Leading passer: Carson Strong: 63.8 percent, 1,582 yards, 9 TDs, 7 INTs

Leading rusher: Toa Taua: 716 yards, 4.1 yards per carry, 6 TDs

Leading receiver: Elijah Cooks: 50 catches, 578 yards, 7 TDs

Leading defender: Dom Peterson: 34 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 7.0 sacks

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.