Las Vegas Review-Journal - UNLV Sports

LARAMIE, Wyo. — A team with a 19-game road losing streak against Mountain West Conference opponents probably should take any opponent lightly, but UNLV defensive end/linebacker Jason Beauchamp said today some of his teammates didn't take Wyoming seriously, saying they were "a little comfortable."

He also said some players might have looked ahead to next Saturday's game at UNR "to where they were bypassing Wyoming."

"I knew it was going to be a really good game as far as (winning) comfortable or a really bad one, which it ended up being really bad," Beauchamp said.

Yes, it was for the Rebels, who lost to Wyoming 30-27 in the conference opener for both teams. Both are 2-2 overall.

Tailback Channing Trotter said he sensed earlier in the day some players' minds weren't where they were supposed to be.

"I think at the hotel, some guys were a little relaxed," Trotter said. "I tried it keep it cool, keep it calm and tried to stay focused. Some of the guys were laughing a little too much, and it kind of bothered me. I probably should've said something, being a leader on this team, but I sat back and hoped the play would take care of itself. I know the next time to step up when I feel that way."

Two teammates, quarterback Omar Clayton and wide receiver Ryan Wolfe, said they didn't notice any players not taking the Cowboys seriously, that there seemed to be more focus than usual.

"Maybe we just need to get fired up a little," Clayton said. "I definitely feel like everybody was focused. I didn't feel like anybody was out of the game."

Defensive coordinator Dennis Therrell said he's not around the players in the locker room enough to know, but said the Rebels should be ready to play any opponent.

"I don't think we've proven anything around since I've been here to be overconfident," said Therrell, who's in his third season. "We need to gain confidence every ballgame we play.

"We're not a good enough football team to just throw our helmet out and beat anybody, I don't care who we're playing. Not many teams are in the country. That's not a slam on our football team. It's so equal today."

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES

UNLV had plenty of chances to take control. Two second-quarter drives inside the 10-yard line ended in field goals instead of touchdowns, and a third-quarter series finished with an interception near the goal line.

"If we don't make those mistakes," Wolfe said, "then I feel the game is in our hands."

KICKING IT

Rebels coach Mike Sanford considered going for the first down on fourth-and-3, calling a timeout with 1:19 left to talk it over. But Sanford decided on what would have been a game-tying 45-yarder by kicker Kyle Watson — his career long is 39 yards — but the Rebels were called for delay of game.

"I take full responsibility for the delay of game," Sanford said. "That's a mistake on my part."

Watson then lined up for a 50-yarder, but holder Brendon Lamers mishandled the snap.

THE LAST WORD

Wyoming coach Dave Christensen carried a copy of Review-Journal columnist Ed Graney's column that ran Wednesday in which he wrote among other things, "Wyoming stinks."

"You stink," Christensen said before throwing the newspaper on the ground.

At least he's a reader.

BY THE NUMBERS

The Rebels outgained Wyoming 386 yards to 357. Clayton was 26 of 43 for 260 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. Wolfe caught eight passes for 96 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Trotter rushed for 90 yards and a TD.

Clayton said he injured his right shoulder in the second half, but it didn't appear to be serious.

Wyoming freshman quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels, making his first start, completed 24 of 37 passes for 234 yards and three touchdowns to end a 10-quarter Wyoming skid without an offensive touchdown. He also rushed for 34 yards.