SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 15, 2012
Washington State 35, UNLV 27: Backup quarterback Connor Halliday threw four first-half touchdown passes to lead the Cougars past winless UNLV.
Halliday, starting in place on injured senior starter Jeff Tuel (knee), completed 26 of 45 passes for 378 yards in just the second start of his college career. That was just enough to pace Washington State (2-1), which overcame 12 penalties totaling 128 yards to improve to 6-0 all-time versus UNLV (0-3).
Halliday had touchdown passes of 81 and 4 yards to junior wide receiver Marquess Wilson, a 52-yarder to freshman wide receiver Gabe Marks and an 18-yarder to sophomore wide receiver Isiah Meyers. The long strike to Wilson increased Washington State's lead to 28-10 midway through the second quarter.
UNLV (0-3) closed to within 28-20 on a 75-yard touchdown pass from Nick Sherry to sophomore wide receiver Marcus Sullivan and a 18-yard field goal by Nolan Kohorst as the half ended.
After Washington State extended its lead to 15 early in the fourth quarter on a 3-yard touchdown run by Leon Brooks, the Rebels made it interesting when Sherry connected with tight end Jake Phillips with a 4-yard touchdown pass with 1:44 to go. The Rebels had one last possession with 40 seconds to go but could only reach the Cougar 42-yard line before time ran out.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Sherry completed 33 of 49 passes for 351 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. A dozen different UNLV players caught at least one pass. ... UNLV's defense was called for 15-yard penalties on the first three offensive plays from scrimmage - but the Cougars failed to take advantage of the generosity as the drive ended with Rebel linebacker John Lotulelei intercepting Halliday at the Rebel 17. ... UNLV has lost eight games in a row dating back to last season.
