LAS VEGAS (AP) — Jack Layne threw three touchdown passes, D.J. McKinney scored the winning touchdown with 3 minutes to go, and New Mexico defeated UNLV 40-35 on Saturday.
The Lobos (6-3, 3-2 Mountain West) saw leads of 21-0 in the first half and 34-21 in the third quarter disappear before McKinney scored the go-ahead touchdown with 3 minutes remaining.
UNLV took a 35-34 lead with 6 1/2 minutes left in the game when Anthony Colandrea hit Nick Elksnis with a 14-yard touchdown pass, but the Lobos drove 75 yards in eight plays for McKinney's big touchdown.
Layne completed 17 of 22 passes for 342 yards and his QB rating was 243.8. James Laubstein was 2-of-3 passing for 29 yards and added 99 yards rushing. Keagan Johnson had 158 yards receiving and Damon Bankston had 122.
Colandrea threw for 382 yards on 36-for-46 passing with three touchdowns for the Rebels (6-2, 2-2).
Layne and Laubstein each threw early touchdown passes, and Layne had an 84-yard TD pass to Bankston for a 21-0 lead in the second quarter.
UNLV then rallied behind a Colandrea touchdown pass, a Keyvone Lee TD run and a 25-yard pick-6 by Quandarius Keyes.
New Mexico went back ahead on another long pass by Layne, this one an 80-yard touchdown connection with Johnson, and the Lobos led 31-21 at halftime.
The Lobos held the lead until midway through the fourth quarter, then were forced to rally for the winning score.
___
Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
-
Lady Rebels ranked #1 in Mountain West preseason poll
Mountain West basketball teams are flocking to Resorts World Las Vegas this week for the conference's media days. The women's teams will take center stage on Wednesday.
Lady Rebels voted for the top spot of the Mountain West 2024-25 campaign
UNLV is looking to defend its title for the fourth consecutive season— marking the third straight season the Lady Rebels have been picked top spot in the preseason poll.
No. 25 UNLV falls to Syracuse 44-41 in OT for Rebels' first loss of the season
The Rebels had their poll debut spoiled in a back-and-forth battle with Syracuse in front of 31,000 fans at Allegiant Stadium.
UNLV Football makes top 25 in AP poll as undefeated season continues
Additionally, UNLV remains undefeated this season with a 4-0 record, a first since moving to Division 1 in 1978.
