HOUSTON — Sam Houston had a difficult time slowing down UNLV in a 38-21 setback at Shell Energy Stadium on Friday evening.
The Bearkats allowed 24 unanswered points to fall to 0-2 on the season in the team's home opener. Sam Houston is playing at the home of the Houston Dynamo this season while Bowers Stadium undergoes renovations.
The Rebels (2-0) racked up more than 400 yards of total offense as Sam Houston went more than two quarters without scoring. UNLV was able to pull away, holding the Bearkats to just one first down conversion on 12 third down attempts.
The Rebels used an explosive play to get on the board first on the opening possession of the game. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea opened the drive with five straight completions including a 43-yard touchdown to Jaden Bradley three minutes into the game.
But the Bearkats responded.
Quarterback
Hunter Watson pieced together a 75-yard scoring drive highlighted by an 18-yard pass to running back
Elijah Green out of the backfield and a pass interference penalty. Watson capped the drive with a six-yard run to tie it at 7.
It appeared that the teams were destined to trade scores after that. UNLV retook the lead on another touchdown pass by Colandrea who found DeAngelo Irvin from three yards out to make it 14-7 right before the end of the first quarter.
Sam Houston, however, could not slow down UNLV. The Rebels added a field goal and ran an interception from backup quarterback
Mabrey Mettauer, who saw his first action of the young season, back for a touchdown to push the advantage to 24-7.
UNLV added a short touchdown run in the third quarter before the Bearkats ended their scoring drought. Coco Brown broke off a 53-yard touchdown run on fourth and one to begin the fourth quarter to trim the lead to 31-13.
Sam Houston's final score was a 59-yard touchdown pass from Mettauer to
Tim Burns Jr. with five minutes left. The Kats recovered the ensuing onside kick but was unable to capitalize on it.
Sam Houston hits the road for the next three games beginning Sept. 6 with a matchup at Hawaii.
