Las Vegas, NV- UNLV Rebels drops the first few punches early on UCLA Bruins with a 23-3 lead at half, when clock ticked zeros, the final score was 30-23.
Rebels quarterback Anthony Colandrea passed for 203 yards and three touchdowns which was more than enough to hold off a Bruin rally. This was the Rebels’ first victory over a Big Ten Conference opponent in 22 years.
Colandrea three touchdowns went to Var’Keyes Gumms who caught 3 passes for 40 yards, Troy Omeire who caught 2 pass and Nick Elksnis. He hit 11 different receivers on the day spreading the ball all over the field.
This situation we were in in the first half, we didn’t really help ourselves out. And came out in the second half and finally started to execute, but it still wasn’t enough,” said UCLA head coach DeShaun Foster, “Just didn’t make enough plays. (UNLV) played a good game.”
UCLA did come alive in the 3rd quarter getting a touchdown and field goal behind strong arm of Nico Ilamaleava who showed promise once his team reached the red zone. He finished the night throwing for 314 yards and two touchdowns and additional 59 yards on the ground more then any of his running back alongside him.
The stats look okay for UCLA once team got moving the each had a breakout run the longest being from Jaivian Thomas who broke a 32 yarder of his total 43 yards for the game.
The Rebels defense led by Jake Pope who totaled 11 tackles for his team. They did manage 3 quarterback hurries but was enough to get a sack. So this defense played sound and didn’t do much extraordinary but a bunch of things well.
Coach Foster will have to grab his team and make the effort on the field match what he and his staff is giving the Bruins in practice.
“We’ve got a short week this week, so we’ve got to get in there and get ready to go. We’re going to get it fixed,” said coach Foster.
The UCLA Bruins (0-2) will go back home to face New Mexico on Friday September 12th at 7pm pst. UNLV Rebels (3-0) will have a bye week to rest and get healthy before traveling to Miami OH on Saturday September 20th.
