Washington State Vs. UNLV: Cougars Hang On (Barely)

Washington State Vs. UNLV Game Recap: Cougars Hang On For 35-27 Win

The Washington State Cougars (2-1) held on to defeat the UNLV Rebels (0-3) 35-27 Friday, picking up the second win of the Mike Leach era.

For the first time under Leach, WSU's offense looked like a traditional Leach offense. Connor Halliday, who started at quarterback with Jeff Tuel out with a knee injury, completed 26-of-45 passes for 378 yards and four touchdowns. Both Gabe Marks and Marquess Wilson went over the 100-yard receiving mark for Washington State. Wilson caught five passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns while the freshman Marks caught six passes for 126 yards and his first collegiate touchdown.

WSU pulled out to an early 14-0 lead in the first quarter and looked for a moment like they might pull away from UNLV, but the Rebels countered with a touchdown of their own. The teams traded scores during the second quarter with WSU going into halftime leading 28-20.

Any hopes of a shootout quickly dissolved as the offenses were unable to do much in the second half. WSU scored a minute into the fourth quarter to go up 35-20. That 15-point lead was enough even though UNLV tacked on a late touchdown to pull within eight. UNLV had a shot late, but a hail mary pass fell incomplete as time expired.

Box Score Hero: Marks led WSU in receiving with 126 yards and the first touchdown of his WSU career.

Rankings Ramifications: Neither team was in the ranking conversation heading into this game and that isn't likely to change after a sloppy contest.

But Did They Cover? The Cougars entered the game as 8.5-point favorites, so UNLV's touchdown with 1:45 to play meant WSU failed to cover.

For More On This Game:

For more on Wazzu football, visit Washington State blog Coug Center, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and SB Nation Seattle.

For more on UNLV football, visit MWC blog Mountain West Connection.

Next Week's Schedule:

9/22: UNLV vs. Air Force

9/22: WSU vs. Colorado

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Washington State Vs. UNLV: Cougars Hanging On In Back And Forth Game At Half 28-20

The Washington State Cougars jumped out to an early lead and are looking to hang on in an exciting display of offense against the UNLV Rebels as they lead 28-20 at half.

Cougars quarterback Connor Halliday hasn't exactly thrown for too many completions, but when he has he's made it count. Halliday is 11-for-21 for 243 yards and four touchdowns. He also has an interception.

Halliday connected with junior wide receiver Marquess Wilson on a short four-yard pass for the first touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Isiah Myers brought in his third touchdown reception of the season on a 37-yard bomb.

But that wasn't even close to the longest strike of the game. Halliday and freshman Gabe Marks connected on a 52-yard hit in the second quarter, and then Halliday hit Wilson for an 81-yard touchdown reception for Wilson's second touchdown of the night.

UNLV has held possession of the ball for a good portion of the evening but haven't been able to muster much offense out of it before quarterback Nick Sherry responded with a 75-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marcus Sullivan to make it 28-17. The drive lasted one play and was over in 13 seconds. Sherry is 17-for-23 for 228 yards and a couple touchdowns. He also has one interception.

Neither team has had much success running the ball. The Cougars have 10 rushes for 32 yards and UNLV has 38 yards on 18 carries. Both teams are having no troubles in the air though as the Cougars have 243 yards on just 11 receptions. UNLV have 17 receptions, but only 228 yards.

Each team already has a receiver with over 100 yards. Marks has 105 yards and a touchdown on four receptions and Sullivan has 126 yards with two touchdowns on four receptions as well.

For more on Wazzu football, visit Washington State blog Coug Center, plus Pac-12 blog Pacific Takes and SB Nation Seattle. For more on UNLV football, visit MWC blog Mountain West Connection.

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Washington State Vs. UNLV Game Time, TV Schedule, Spread And More

Washington State gets one more non-conference tuneup before Pac-12 play Friday night at UNLV.

Check the national college football scoreboard right here, and look through SB Nation's many excellent college football blogs to find your team's community.

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