UNLV slips past Fresno State in overtime

LAS VEGAS » Nicolai Bornand made a 33-yard field goal in overtime, lifting UNLV to a 30-27 victory over Fresno State on Friday night in a game of missed opportunities for both teams.

Bornand also made a 46-yard field goal to tie it at 27 with 3:37 left in the regulation as UNLV ended a 10-game losing streak to Fresno State.

The Rebels (2-5, 1-2 Mountain West) had a chance to win on the last play in regulation, but short kicker Jonathan Leiva missed a 26-yard field goal from the left hash wide right.

In overtime, the Bulldogs (3-4, 2-1) did not score on their opening drive. Brian Burrell found Marteze Waller in stride in the right side of the end zone, but Waller dropped it on the fourth-down play from the 18-yard line.

Burrell connected on 25 of 44 for 302 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions as Fresno State’s three-game winning streak ended. Josh Harper had 183 yards receiving.

UNLV’s Blake Decker finished 29 of 40 for 332 yards, a touchdown, and an interception.

After building a 17-0 advantage, the Rebels’ next six drives ended in five punts, and a failed fake-punt attempt. On the seventh drive, Decker’s four-yard run up the middle gave the Rebels temporary breathing room, 24-14 with 2 seconds left in the third.

The Bulldogs took the lead as Burrell passed to a wide-open Chad Olsen with 13:47 left in the game, and Waller’s 13-yard rush through the middle on a 4th-and-inches with 7:21 to go gave the Bulldogs their first lead, 27-24. Fresno kicker Kody Kroening however missed the extra point after the touchdown.

The Rebels’ previous win this season came against Colorado State, 13-12 on Sept. 6. In all other games, UNLV was outscored 220-88. Meanwhile, Fresno State outscored opponents in its last three games 115-53.

This was the Bulldogs’ first game against UNLV at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas since 1996. However, Fresno State did play in the 2013 Royal Purple Bowl, losing to USC 45-20.