UNLV Football defeated the Wyoming Cowboys at home 34-14 to make its record (8-2, 5-1) in conference on Nov. 10.
The Rebels started the game lighting up the scoreboard taking an early 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. However, the deficit was cut within one possession after Wyoming scored 14 unanswered points in the second quarter. UNLV picked up the momentum in the second half scoring 13 unanswered points to win the game 34-14.
Jayden Maiava used his arm and his legs in the matchup completing 17-of-24 of his passes for 232 yards and was the Rebels leading rusher with 40 yards on the ground. Maiava found the endzone three times in the evening with his first two on the run and threw his third one to tight end Kaleo Ballungay.
Maiava’s favorite target continues to be Ricky White. White in his eight catch 144 yard night surpassed 1000 yards receiving. Against Wyoming White reached over 100 yards receiving in a game for the third straight game and for the fifth time this season.
Elijah Shelton gave the Rebels a boost on offense with a strip-sack in the first quarter, and Cameron Oliver shut down Wyoming with an interception in its final drive of the half, where they were on the verge of tying up the game.
On the Wyoming side of the ball, quarterback Andrew Peasley was more efficient on the ground than on the air. Like Maiava, Peasley led his team in rushing yards with 88 and scored a rushing touchdown. On the flip side, throwing the ball, Peasley completed half of his 22 passes for 144 yards with three sacks and two turnovers. Peasly had a tough time controlling the football, fumbling it twice, with one being recovered by UNLV and a costly interception to Oliver.
The Rebels 21-point first quarter started on its first possession with Maiava finding White down the field for a 56-yard reception to put them at the Wyoming 10-yard line. Maiava used his legs in the red zone scrambling for a 10-yard touchdown on the next play.
UNLV had excellent field position in its second drive as a result of a strip-sack by Shelton. Maiava took advantage of the field position leading the Rebels to a seven play scoring drive and scrambling for a 1-yard touchdown.
Jai’Den Thomas put the Rebels up by three scores rushing for a 7-yard touchdown to put UNLV up 21-0 with 4:22 remaining in the first quarter.
The Cowboys bounced back in the second quarter with Peasley getting hot throwing a 28-yard pass to John Gyllenborg to flip the field. Then on the following play, Peasley ran for a 32-yard touchdown.
Wyoming kept the momentum, scoring again late in the second quarter to make the score 21-14 with 2:58 remaining.
A short drive by UNLV led to Wyoming having 1:44 left in the half to score points before they went into the locker room. Peasley led the Cowboys to the red zone; however, UNLV’s defense made a play with Oliver picking off Peasley and protecting the Rebel lead.
In the second half UNLV’s defense prevented Wyoming from scoring any points in the second half, and the Rebels extended its lead in the second half with a touchdown in the third quarter along with two field goals in the fourth.
The touchdown in the third quarter was a 5-yard touchdown throw by Maiava to Ballungay. The receiving touchdown by Ballungay was his first this season.
In the fourth quarter, Jose Pizano made two field goals with the first from 39 yards and the second from 43 yards to make the final score of the game 34-14.
Up Next
The Rebels are off on the road to play the Air Force Falcons on Nov. 18 at 12:30 p.m.
