Shane Steichen, left, pitches the ball to running back Erick Jackson during their game against Utah State. (AP Photo/The Herald Journal, Eli Lucero)
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Rebels Comeback Attempt Falls Short

Utah State downs UNLV 31-24.

Sept. 24, 2005

Box Score

LOGAN, Utah (AP) - Leon Jackson III threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns, the final a 15-yarder in the fourth quarter as Utah State beat UNLV 31-24 on Saturday.

Tony Pennyman had 97 yards receiving, including a 12-yard touchdown catch, on a career-high 10 receptions for the Aggies (1-1). Pennyman also returned a kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown.

The Rebels (1-3) had a chance to tie it at the end of regulation, but Shane Steichen had three consecutive passes broken up at the goal line. Utah State failed to run the clock out, and UNLV got the ball back at Utah States 48 with 30 seconds remaining.

The Rebels drove to the Aggies 29, where the drive stalled on Steichens incompletions.

Erick Jackson (26) carries the ball into the endzone as Utah State's Brian Soi watches during their game. (AP Photo/The Herald Journal, Eli Lucero)

Steichen was 25-of-43 for 265 yards and two touchdowns. UNLV opened a 24-16 lead with 4:13 to go in the third quarter when Tremayne Kirkland hauled in a 13-yard touchdown pass from Steichen.

Kirkland had seven catches for 72 yards. Donell Wheaton also had seven receptions for 87 yards and one touchdown for the Rebels.

Utah State tied it with 52 seconds left in the third.

Kevin Robinson scored on a 19-yard reverse to make it 24-22. Jackson then kept it on a keeper up the middle for the two-point conversion with 52 seconds to go in the third.

Jackson finished 19-of-25 for the Aggies, who gave new head coach Brent Guy his first victory.