UNLV shocks #15 Arizona state

To say that UNLV is a “basketball school” is an understatement. In marked contrast to the “Runnin’ Rebels” lengthy rap sheet of hoop success, including a 1990 NCAA championship with a team that many consider the greatest in college history, football at UNLV has always been somewhere between an afterthought and an embarrassment. Under current coach Mike Sanford, Urban Meyer’s one time offensive coordinator at Utah, the team has made some improvement but that hasn’t translated into a better won/loss record.

Which is why UNLV’s shocking 23-23 OT road victory over #15 Arizona State is such a big deal—arguably the biggest win in the history of the program. And despite ASU coach Dennis Erickson’s insistence that he “didn’t have his team ready to play” this victory is particularly significant as it wasn’t a fluke. UNLV played a solid PAC 10 school toe to toe for the entire game, ending with the edge in rushing yards, first downs and time of possession.

They also made plays when they counted, none timelier than Malo Taumua’s block of a Sun Devil field goal try in overtime, which gave the Rebels the win. Before that, Las Vegas native Phillip Payne had made a one handed, highlight reel catch of an Omar Clayton pass with: 18 seconds left in regulation to tie the game and send it into OT.

UNLV’s greatest challenge has always been consistency—they’ll come up with a gargantuan effort like this one against a superior opponent, but then not be ready to play against teams they *should* be able to beat. To wit—heading into this matchup UNLV had lost 21 of their last 22 games. Sanford’s tenure has seen some improvement in “the trenches” but has also seen significantly more losses than wins on the ledger. He’s also been criticized for his overly emotional approach to the game, sometimes resulting in downright bizarre behavior (as in his refusal to leave the field and post game antics following a 2006 loss at Iowa State).

Still, a football program’s turnaround has got to start somewhere. And with the caveat that anything involving UNLV football is always a “wait and see” proposition this victory in Tempe, AZ is as good a place as any.