Utah St. 31, UNLV 21
LAS VEGAS (AP)—Robert Watts had two interceptions and returned one of them 90 yards for a touchdown to give Utah State a 31-21 victory over UNLV Saturday night.
The Aggies snapped a nine-game road losing streak with the win.
Watts’ touchdown came with 9:22 left in the third quarter and gave the Aggies (2-2), who are off to their best start since 1997, a 21-14 lead after a two-point conversion.
His other interception, a 10-yard return to the UNLV 23-yard line with 2:32 left in the third, set up the last of three Ben Chaet field goals that put the Aggies in the lead for good, 24-21.
Aggies quarterback Travis Cox was 12-for-26 for 177 yards and one touchdown.
UNLV led in total yardage 50-291 but turned the ball over four times to Utah State’s none.
Dominique Dorsey rushed for 189 yards on 18 carries for the Rebels, who are off to an 0-4 start for the fourth time in team history and the second time in four years.
UNLV Quarterback Kurt Nantkes went 20-for-35 for 283 yards and a touchdown, but threw for four interceptions. Earvin Johnson caught six passes for 90 yards.
UNLV tied the game at 21 on Shelvion Williams’ first career catch, an 8-yard touchdown reception with 5:17 left in the third quarter.
But Utah State sealed the win when Cox found Tony Pennyman for a 79-yard touchdown pass down the right side with 4:16 left and went ahead 31-21. Pennyman had four catches for 119 yards.
The victory was Utah State’s fifth-straight win at UNLV. The Aggies have won eight of the last nine meetings between the two teams.
Head to Head - Week 5
| Team | Total Yds | Pass Yds | Rush Yds | First Downs | 3rdD% | Pen./Yds | Turnovers | Time of Poss. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah State | 291 | 177 | 114 | 14 | 33.3% | 4/51 | 0 | 24:01 |
| UNLV | 550 | 283 | 267 | 24 | 50.0% | 11/105 | 5 | 35:49 |
