LAS VEGAS -- The Southern Utah football program opened up their 2019 campaign at Sam Boyd Stadium against the UNLV Rebels on Saturday evening, in a contest that ended 56-23 in favor of the home team.
"We've got some things to build off," SUU head coach Demario Warren said. "We've got 11 weeks left and goals don't change because we lost this. It's not the way we want to play, but we've got some things to build off."
After the contest started with a number of punts going back-and-forth, the Rebels struck first as Charles Williams broke into the endzone for his first strike of the game. That was the lone score of the opening frame, giving UNLV a 7-0 lead after the first quarter.
The Rebels would strike once again less than a minute into the second quarter to take a 14-0 advantage.
Southern Utah responded on their very next drive, as Chris Helbig caped his comeback from injury with a touchdown run to cut the Rebel lead to 14-7. His rush completed an 11 play, 77 yard drive that featured a 48-yard pitch and catch between Helbig and Carlos Baker.
Helbig got the start at quarterback for SUU.
Unfortunately for the T-Birds, the Rebels would strike again on their next drive to extend their lead back to 14, jumping ahead 21-7.
UNLV added two more touchdowns to the scoreboard before the first half came to a close, taking a 35-7 lead into the break.
The rout would continue for the Rebels in the second half, as they added three additional touchdowns in the third quarter to take a 56-7 advantage.
SUU's fortunes changed in the fourth quarter, as the final 15 minutes was all Thunderbirds. Freshman wide receiver Zach Nelson caught two touchdowns from backup quarterback Tyler Skidmore to cut the UNLV lead to 56-21.
A safety that went SUU's way right before time expired made the final score 56-23.
Helbig finished the contest with 14 completions for 138 yards and one touchdown on the ground. Skidmore had 11 completions for 157 yards and the two TD's to Nelson.
Lance Lawson finished the night with eight catches for 63 yards. Carlos Baker had two that went for 79.
Defensively, Alan Holsten and Nela Otukolo led the effort for SUU with seven tackles each.
The Thunderbirds will continue their season next weekend as they take on No. 18/20 Northern Iowa out in Cedar Falls. This contest will be part of the Big Sky-Missouri Valley Challenge series.
Keep tabs on the Thunderbirds throughout the entire Big Sky Kickoff by following @SUUFB on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the Southern Utah Football page on Facebook.
Season Tickets and Single Game Tickets are currently available to purchase at the America First Event Center Ticket Office and at www.tbirdtickets.com.
