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The final UNLV football game at Sam Boyd Stadium ended up being one of the best in the 49-year history of the venue, as the Rebels held for dear life in a 38-35 win over San Jose State on Saturday.
UNLV took the lead on a 1-yard Charles Williams touchdown run with 1:15 to play, and when the ensuing kickoff bounced short of the end zone and pinned SJSU at the 8-yard line, it looked like the Rebels had the victory fairly secured. But the next play from scrimmage saw Spartans quarterback Josh Love unleash a deep ball down the middle for Isaiah Hamilton, and the receiver caught the pass in stride and made it inside the UNLV 10 before being pushed out of bounds.
A celebration penalty moved the ball back 15 yards, and four plays later SJSU was faced with a third-and-goal from the 5-yard line. Love targeted Tre Walker on an inside route, but the pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and popped up in the air.
UNLV defensive tackle Kolo Uasike camped out underneath the batted ball and engulfed it for the game-clinching interception with six seconds to play.
UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said one very clear thought went through his head when he saw the 6-foot, 305-pound Uasike in position to make the pick.
"Oh please lord, catch it," Sanchez said with a laugh. "It's funny, Kolo is a three-time state champion wrestler out of Arizona. He's pretty nimble."
Uasike first career interception was the finishing touch in improving UNLV to 3-8 on the season, but the fourth quarter was stuffed with game-changing plays from both teams.
UNLV took a 21-6 lead into halftime thanks to two touchdown passes by Kenyon Oblad and three interceptions by the Rebels defense. It took one quarter to give that lead away, as UNLV miscues allowed San Jose State to score 22 third-quarter points and take a 28-24 lead into the final period.
On a second-down pass attempt from the SJSU 21 early in the fourth quarter, Oblad rolled right and got the throw off just as a defender drove him into the ground. The pass fell incomplete, and Oblad was slow to get up. The freshman eventually walked off the field and former starter Armani Rogers replaced him at quarterback.
Rogers' first play was a handoff to Williams that went for 17 yards on third-and-long. The next play was another handoff to Williams, and this time the junior burst through the line for a 4-yard touchdown to put UNLV back on top, 31-28.
The lead didn't last long. San Jose State's next drive advanced to midfield, and then Love uncorked a 50-yard pass down the left sideline to Walker, who pulled it in and tiptoed inside the chalk for a 50-yard touchdown. The spectacular catch put San Jose State on top again, 35-31, with six minutes to play.
Oblad returned for UNLV's ensuing series, but his pass to Darren Woods came up short of the sticks on third down. The Rebels punted to the San Jose State 20 with 4:14 to play, essentially putting the game in the defense's hands.
The Rebels forced a three-and-out, and given a second chance at leading a go-ahead drive, Oblad came through. He made a perfect throw down the left side to hit Randal Grimes for 38 yards, and two plays later Williams scored to make it 38-35.
With 1:15 on the clock and SJSU down to its final timeout, a final drive starting from the 8-yard line seemed like a near-impossible proposition — until Walker got behind Rebels linebacker Javin White on a deep route.
White said he guessed that his receiver was going to run a corner route, but "the dude did a little hitch and then went in, and he made a great catch."
Despite that potentially devastating mistake, White remained confident that the UNLV defense would keep San Jose State out of the end zone.
"I just shook it off and said, 'We've still got time on the clock, so let's just continue to fight.' And that's what we did."
Oblad finished the game 21-of-36 for 203 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. Grimes caught six passes for 130 yards and a score, while Williams ran 27 times for 186 yards and three TDs.
White made six tackles and came up with one of four UNLV interceptions. The Rebels forced five San Jose State turnovers on the day.
The Rebels will now head to Reno to take on UNR in the season finale. UNLV trailed, 23-0, in last year's meeting between the in-state rivals before rallying to win, 34-29, and claim the Fremont Cannon.
White is sure UNR has not forgotten that game.
"It's going to be a show," White said. "They had to live 364 days [with that loss]. That 365th day, that's the day they're looking for, and we're looking right back for 'em. I promise you it's going to be a great show."
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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