Rebels revved up: UNLV demolishes New Mexico 56-14

Special teams and defensive woes in the first half sent New Mexico to its second straight loss, a 56-14 demolition at the hands of UNLV on Saturday in Albuquerque.

After giving up 160 yards off punt returns this season, the Lobos (3-6, 1-4) gave up 161 to the Rebels alone, with wide receiver Jacob De Jesus running for 112 yards on two returns to set up scores. UNLV (7-2, 4-1) took full advantage of those short fields and two first half fumbles to surge to a commanding 35-7 halftime lead and an eventual rout.

“Obviously, we’ve got to do a better job on special teams — coaching them — because that’s been a really positive thing around here for a long time,” head coach Danny Gonzales said in a postgame press conference. “And it’s hampered us in multiple facets. It didn’t give us a chance to compete in the game tonight, which is really disappointing.”

UNLV’s Go-Go offense, an option scheme with modern spread concepts, saw four different running backs score touchdowns as the Rebels finished 5-for-5 in the red zone. Quarterback Jayden Maiava was 13-for-18 passing for 247 yards and a season-high three touchdowns with no interceptions.

Wide receiver Ricky White served as Maiava’s primary target, racking up eight receptions for 165 yards and two touchdowns.

Playing from behind all night, quarterback Dylan Hopkins finished 15-of-23 passing for 187 yards and no touchdowns. Running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the Lobos on the ground with 86 yards on 21 carries while hauling in his first receiving touchdown of the year in the fourth quarter.

Wide receivers D.J. Washington (five receptions for 86 yards) and Caleb Medford (four receptions for 70 yards) both set career highs in single game catches.

The Rebels wasted little time getting started: After De Jesus’ 59-yard punt return set UNLV deep into UNM’s territory, Maiava dropped back and found White for an easy 30-yard touchdown to make it UNLV 7, UNM 0 — in just one play.

“The triple option gives you a dynamic on the play action,” Gonzales said. “And we have a safety bite and they throw it over the backside for a touchdown. That started it bad after the punt return.”

Then, after a called block in the back bumped the Lobos to 4th and 19, punter Aaron Rodriguez fumbled an errant snap on a punt attempt. Linebacker Fred Thompkins recovered it at UNM’s 32-yard line and five plays later, Maiava hit Vincent Davis Jr. on an option pitch for a 5-yard touchdown to make it 14-0 UNLV midway through the first quarter.

A 12-play, 75-yard drive capped by Andrew Henry’s 2-yard touchdown drew the Lobos closer. But UNLV responded with a 75-yard scoring drive of its own, highlighted by White’s grab over cornerback Zach Morris for a 42-yard gain and capped by Davis Jr. ‘s 5-yard run into the end zone.

“He can jump and he makes very competitive catches,” Gonzales said of White. “And that was a huge play — instead of making them punt at 14-7, they converted it down to our nine-yard line.”

On UNM’s ensuing drive, defensive end Jalen Dixon ripped the ball out of Croskey-Merritt’s hands, causing another fumble. Jett Elad recovered and ran it all the way back to the Lobos’ 5-yard line, leading to Donavyn Lester’s 5-yard touchdown run to make it 28-7 UNLV midway through the second quarter.

UNM was forced to punt again and De Jesus answered the call again, weaving in and out of coverage for a 53-yard return to the Lobos’ 21-yard line. Three plays later, running back Courtney Reese dove into the end zone for a 2-yard touchdown and a halftime score of 35-7.

The Rebels kept it up in the second half, with Maiava finding wide receiver Dominic Gicinto for a 43-yard receiving touchdown to open the second half. Then, after UNM punted on the ensuing possession, Maiava hit White for a 58-yard touchdown to make it 49-7 UNLV with nine minutes left in the third.

But even as UNLV called off the dogs, special teams errors still managed to cost the Lobos. DeAngelo Irvin’s 49-yard punt return at the start of the fourth quarter set the Rebels up deep in UNM territory and Cameron Friel plunged in four plays later to make it 56-7 with ten minutes left.

UNM backup quarterback Devon Dampier’s 1-yard touchdown pass to Croskey-Merritt with three minutes remaining set up a 56-14 final. At 3-6, UNM will have to win all three of their remaining games to qualify for a bowl.

Players and coaches remain confident it can still happen.

“We’re just gonna give these last three games all we have,” Croskey-Merritt said after the game. “And that’s what we believe in. And that’s what we wanna do.”

“It’s November (4) and we still have our goals in front of us,” Gonzales said. “That’s further than we’ve been around here.”

Photos: UNLV crushes UNM football