The Fremont Cannon remains red after the Nevada Wolf Pack lost 45-27 to their in-state rivals the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Rebels on Oct. 14 — marking the team’s worst loss to their in-state rival since 2004.
Nevada was out to a poor start in the first quarter. After a quick three-and-out from Brandon Lewis, Nevada quarterback and the Wolf Pack offense, the defense would quickly get carved up. Jayden Maiava, UNLV quarterback, found Ricky White, UNLV wide receiver, for a short pass that White would run down for a 59-yard touchdown.
The Pack defense would allow UNLV to score one more touchdown before the end of the quarter, set up by a 30-yard pass from Maiava to Kaleo Ballungay, UNLV tight end and a 24-yard run from Maiava. Meanwhile, the Nevada offense tacked on a score of their own. With 3:08 left in the quarter, Lewis found Dalevon Campbell, Nevada wide receiver, for a 43-yard touchdown.
With the Nevada defense forcing the Rebels to punt right before the end of the quarter, the Pack trailed 14-7 after one.
The Wolf Pack began to spiral in the second quarter. After a quick three and out from the offense, two false start penalties would make the Pack special teams unit punt from their own three yard line, setting up a quick, three play touchdown for UNLV.
Hope did rise for the Wolf Pack on their next drive. After a 48-yard pass from Lewis to Campbell put the Pack right outside the Rebels’ redzone, the Nevada offense slowly chipped closer to scoring once again. However, Lewis threw an interception to Jackson Woodard, UNLV linebacker, at the UNLV three yard line, stopping Nevada in its tracks.
The Pack defense seemingly held their ground, despite the momentum shifting back to the Rebels. However, on a third and 11 play from the UNLV 18 yard line, Maiava found White once again, this time for an 82-yard touchdown.
Nevada got the ball back with 32 seconds left after both teams punted in their next drives. With time ticking away, Lewis threw a deep pass, but was intercepted by Johnathan Baldwin, UNLV defensive back. The Wolf Pack trailed 28-7 with one half of football played.
Nevada sprang back up in the third; both the Wolf Pack and Rebels scored touchdowns in their opening drives. The Rebels got in first off a 66-yard rush from Donavyn Lester, UNLV running back. Nevada followed up right after, as Sean Dollars, Nevada running back and Lewis took turns running down the field. Lewis took in the touchdown with a six-yard run.
Both teams were forced to punt in their next drives. UNLV was able to grab three more points after Nevada stopped their final drive in the quarter seven yards short of the endzone. The Wolf Pack took the final 1:43 of the quarter to cross the midfield before time expired. With only one quarter left, Nevada was down 38-14.
The Wolf Pack came alive in the fourth, but it was too little, too late. Nevada struck first in the fourth, utilizing their midfield positioning to march down the field and scoring off a Dollars two-yard touchdown. UNLV tried to respond, but were forced into a three and out punt by the Nevada defense.
In their next drive, the Wolf Pack began to march down the field. However, Keleki Latu, Nevada tight end, caught a pass for 30 yards, but fumbled the ball after Thomas Anderson, UNLV defensive back, hit him low in the legs. Latu was carried off the field with an ankle injury.
Both teams scored one more touchdown before the end of the game. Vincent Davis, UNLV running back, got a nine-yard touchdown on a drive that started at the Nevada 20-yard line from a turnover on downs. Then, Lewis got his second passing touchdown of the game with a 55-yard pass to Isaah Crocker, Nevada wide receiver.
UNLV had the final possession, winding down the clock with runs from Courtney Reese, UNLV running back and Lester. The Wolf Pack lost 45-27, marking their worst loss against the in-state rival since 2004.
With this game in the books, Nevada moved to 0-6 on the season and 0-2 in conference play. The Wolf Pack’s next game is on Oct. 21, where they will travel to San Diego, Calif. to play against the San Diego State Aztecs.
Derek Raridon can be reached via email derekraridon@nevada.unr.edu or via Twitter @RaridonDerek.
