UNLV Rebels Collapse Late, Fall to Sam Houston in Overtime HeartbreakerWhat began as a statement road performance for the UNLV Rebels turned into a late-night nightmare in Huntsville, as the Rebels blew a double-digit lead and fell in overtime to Sam Houston, 37-30.
For nearly three quarters, UNLV looked every bit the dominant Mountain West contender, riding explosive plays from quarterback Alex Orji and a surging ground attack to build a comfortable lead. Orji accounted for multiple scores — including a dazzling touchdown run that showcased his dual-threat ability — and the Rebels' offense looked in rhythm, crisp, and confident.
Up 24-13 midway through the third quarter, UNLV appeared poised to pull away for good. The defense had been making timely stops, and the special teams unit tacked on points when needed. But in true after-dark fashion, chaos soon followed.
Sam Houston — down but not out — started to chip away. The Bearcats made it a one-score game early in the fourth quarter, taking their first lead since the 9-minute mark in the first quarter.
Still, Orji led one final charge. The Rebels tied the game with a clutch field goal in the final minute to force overtime.
But once the extra period began, the tide never turned back in UNLV’s favor.
Sam Houston struck first in OT with a perfectly timed touchdown pass on second-and-goal. When UNLV’s possession began, they needed a touchdown to stay alive. A gutsy third-down conversion put them on the doorstep, but the Bearcat defense stiffened. With the game on the line, UNLV's final play — a fourth-down pass into tight coverage — fell incomplete.
Game over.
From a 14-point first-half lead to an overtime loss, it was a bitter pill for UNLV to swallow.
“This one hurts,” said quarterback Alex Orji. “We had them. We just didn’t finish.”
UNLV now finds itself with a painful reminder: dominating for three quarters isn't enough. Finishing — especially on the road, in hostile territory, and under the lights — is what separates good teams from great ones.
The Rebels return home next week, hoping to regroup and bounce back. But this one will sting for a while.
