UNLV fell short of a 20-point second-half rally Saturday, losing 41-35 to Wyoming at Allegiant Stadium and raising questions about the quarterback position heading into a Week 11 matchup against No. 22 New Mexico. Starter Jackson Arnold struggled through nearly three quarters, completing five of 12 passes for 71 yards in the first half as the Rebels managed just 146 total yards compared to Wyoming's 392 late in the third quarter.
Coach Dan Mullen replaced Arnold with Alex Orji, a transfer from Michigan, seeking a spark rather than punishing Arnold's performance. "I wasn't saying '(the change) is on Jackson,' we just needed a spark," Mullen said. "I was looking and we just looked lethargic out there on the field and I was trying to look for a spark within the team."
Orji provided an immediate jolt, leading a scoring drive capped by a 48-yard completion to Tavian McNair and his own 2-yard touchdown run. He later cut the deficit to six points with more than eight minutes remaining, finishing 2-of-5 passing for 58 yards and a touchdown while adding 25 rushing yards and a score on eight carries.
The comeback stalled when Orji threw an interception in the red zone, 11 yards from a potential game-winning score. Mullen defended the decision to throw on consecutive plays, noting a missed protection on first down left a receiver wide open. "(Orji) ended up getting hit and on second down he was trying to make a play," Mullen said. "I'll go back and look at it on film on the interception, but we had three timeouts and it looked like we had a stop on the first play and maybe even another chance to go make a play to win it at the end."
The loss marked the latest instance where Arnold has been relieved of his starting duties, leaving Mullen with a significant decision before facing the ranked Lobos.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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