ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- Mike Sanford's first game as UNLV's football coach was here at University Stadium, a Labor Day special in 2005 when the Rebels nearly rallied but fell short.
Little did anyone know at the time it would be four years before Sanford experienced the satisfaction of winning at a Mountain West Conference stadium other than his own.
He and his Rebels returned to New Mexico on Saturday, and this time they got to feel that joy, ending a school-record 20-game MWC road losing streak (17 under Sanford) with a convincing 34-17 victory over the Lobos.
"I thought our team played with a lot of heart tonight," Sanford said. "I thought we played determined. I thought we played relentlessly."
UNLV (3-5, 1-3 Mountain West) also ended a four-game skid, and this was its first win in October since beating San Diego State four years ago.
Too bad for UNLV it can't schedule the Lobos (0-7, 0-3) every week. New Mexico now has lost 11 in a row, and it was without coach Mike Locksley, who was suspended for this game for an altercation with an assistant. Assistant head coach George Barlow handled the duties.
UNLV's task will be much more difficult next Saturday when the Rebels travel to Texas Christian, coming off a 38-7 spanking of Brigham Young.
The Rebels turn their attention to TCU today, but they have plenty of reasons to revel in beating New Mexico.
Wide receiver Ryan Wolfe caught 11 passes for 118 yards and a touchdown, and became the conference's all-time leader with 270 catches. This also was his 12th 100-yard game, tied for third in MWC history.
"Any time you get up to the top of a list, you hope to be up there for a while, and then you can look at it after you're done playing," Wolfe said. "I've got more games to add on to it."
Quarterback Omar Clayton was sharp, completing 20 of 30 passes for 204 yards and two touchdowns. This was his first game without an interception since the season opener against Sacramento State.
"I finally stopped throwing picks," Clayton said. "That was a relief. I was real comfortable, ready to play."
UNLV's defense stood out, too, holding the Lobos to 287 yards. The performance followed last weekend's effort against Utah in which the Rebels allowed 327 yards.
Much better than the 611 yielded to BYU and 773 to UNR the two previous weeks.
"I think that we started to fight back," Sanford said. "I think the way we played against Utah brought confidence back. We're getting guys healthy."
One was end/linebacker Jason Beauchamp, who had nine tackles, including three for losses and two sacks. He also forced a fumble in his best performance this season.
"This is the healthiest I've been since camp," Beauchamp said. "I'm running again, and I feel great. I feel like I used to feel."
Safety Travis Dixon had six tackles, including one for a loss, and two pass breakups.
The Rebels bolted to a 21-3 halftime lead, their largest at the intermission since being up 21-0 over Iowa State on Sept. 20, 2008.
New Mexico got to within 24-17 early in the fourth quarter, but a muffed punt ended up in Terrance Lee's hands at the Lobos' 11-yard line. The Rebels scored two plays later for a 31-17 lead.
New Mexico was never a threat after that, and UNLV had that satisfying road win.
"We've been so close in road games in the past," Wolfe said. "It all came together."
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.
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