Wyoming holds UNLV rally with 41-35 win
Samuel Harris and Markell Holman combined for 238 rushing yards and three touchdowns as the Cowboys closed out a close Mountain West matchup.
By Isaac Medina ·
Samuel Harris ran for 128 yards and two touchdowns to lead Wyoming to a 41-35 victory over UNLV on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The Cowboys finished the season with a 6-3 record and a 5-1 mark in Mountain West Conference play. UNLV dropped to 5-4 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
The game began with a 7-7 tie in the first quarter. Wyoming took the lead with 5:02 left in the opening period when Erik Sandvik kicked a field goal. Early in the second quarter, Harris scored from the one-yard line. With 6:42 remaining before halftime, reserve quarterback Landon Sims threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Jake Wilson, extending the lead to 24-7.
UNLV responded quickly in the final minutes of the first half. Quarterback Jackson Arnold connected with Kayden McGee on a 33-yard touchdown pass. After Wyoming fumbled, the Rebels capitalized on the turnover. Three plays later, Arnold threw an eight-yard touchdown to Taz Reddicks, cutting the deficit to 24-21 with 1:55 left before the break.
Wyoming extended its advantage immediately after halftime. Sims ran for a touchdown from the 13-yard line in under a minute. Following the first interception of the game by Tyson Shamsid-Deen, Sandvik kicked a 34-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter. The Cowboys entered the third quarter leading 34-21.
UNLV mounted a late rally. The Rebels scored touchdowns with 22 seconds left in the third quarter and with 8:32 remaining in the fourth, narrowing the gap to 41-35. The visitors threatened to take the lead but failed to convert on the next possession. Shamsid-Deen, who had two interceptions in the game, picked off reserve quarterback Alex Orji in the end zone.
On the following play, Markell Holman ran left, broke four tackles, and reversed field for a 49-yard touchdown. Holman finished the game with 110 rushing yards. Wyoming managed the clock to let the final seconds expire. The win caps a tough week for the Rebels, who allowed a late surge in a close conference game.
Both teams return to action on Saturday. Wyoming travels to face UTEP. UNLV heads to New Mexico to play the Lobos.
