Promising start ends in bleak finish

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — The UNM football team’s season is quickly winding down a road that wasn’t envisioned.
In a battle of winless teams on Saturday, UNLV destroyed the Lobos 45-10 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

“I thought it was a game that we came out with and started off with good energy,” UNM head coach Mike Locksley said. “The momentum turned against us, and that is something that we have struggled with all year long.”

UNM quarterback Tarean Austin, who became the first freshman to start at quarterback for the Lobos since 1988, hit wide receiver Bryant Williams for a 48-yard touchdown reception that gave the Lobos a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

But the Rebels roared back with 45 unanswered points to take a commanding lead.

UNLV quarterback Omar Clayton completed 14-of-20 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns in the Rebels’ first victory under first-year head coach Bobby Hauck.

Rebel wide receiver Michael Johnson torched UNM’s secondary. He caught eight passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns and became the first UNLV receiver since 1996 to catch three touchdowns in a game.

“My game is best when I have open field,” Johnson said. “I had a chance to do that tonight, and I took advantage of it.”
On the Lobos’ ensuing drive, UNLV‘s Mike Clausen, who recently switched from quarterback to safety, recorded his first career interception.
Clausen’s interception quickly turned into points for the Rebels, as Clayton hit Johnson for his first of three touchdowns of the evening. Clayton’s pass was intended for wide receiver Phillip Payne, but the ball was tipped into the Johnson’s hands off a deflection.

The Rebels added to their 14-7 lead in the second quarter as freshman running back Tim Cornett busted free for a 46-yard touchdown run. Cornett finished the game with two carries for 50 yards and a touchdown.

The Rebels added to their 28-7 halftime lead in the third quarter as Johnson broke away for his third touchdown of the game. Clayton hit Johnson on a crossing route and some nifty running by Johnson allowed him to hit pay dirt giving UNLV a 35-7 lead.

“We are obviously not playing good defense right now,” Locksley said. “We have got to do some things on offense to sustain some drives, while also bringing along a young quarterback.”