The following notes are from BYU's 31-21 win at UNLV on Friday night.
ATTENDANCE: 19,811
AMERICAN FLAG BEARER: Trajan Pili
TEAM FLAGS: Joe Critchlow, Kody Wilstead, Bracken El-Bakri
ALUMNI FLAG BEARERS: Mike Johnston (WR, 1991-95), Jimmy Edwards (WR 1981-86), Larry Miller (LB, 1975-78)
TEAM NOTES
Series
BYU moves to 17-3 in the overall series with UNLV and stays perfect against the Rebels in Sam Boyd Stadium at 9-0. The Cougars are 12-3 in games played in Las Vegas, going 3-3 in bowl games at the stadium.
Road win
The Cougars picked up their first road win of the season at UNLV. BYU had dropped games at Utah State, Mississippi State, East Carolina and Fresno before earning its first victory on the road since a 20-3 win at Cincinnati last season.
Rushing yards
BYU rushed for 265 yards, one shy of tying the season high of 266 against San Jose State earlier this year. The Cougars got a career-high 213 out of Squally Canada and another 53 out of Austin Kafentzis.
Rushing defense
The Rebels came into the game averaging 253 yards on the ground and were held to 122 tonight. BYU’s defense held UNLV’s ground game to 3.6 yards per rush.
Turnovers
BYU had no turnovers for just the second time this season (Portland State). On the other side, the Cougars forced two turnovers. They collected two interceptions for the second time this year (Mississippi State).
PLAYER NOTES
Joe Critchlow
Critchlow won his first start as a true freshman. He became the third true freshman quarterback at BYU to win his first start, joining teammate Tanner Mangum (2015) and Taysom Hill (2012), and sixth to start a game. His coach, Ty Detmer (1988) won his first start as a redshirt freshman to make Critchlow just the fourth freshman of any kind to win his first start. He finished 14 of 22 for 160 yards and one touchdown. Critchlow's 63.6 percent completion percentage set the record for a true freshman in his first start at BYU. On the Cougars' touchdown drive at the end of the first half, he was 5 of 7 for 50 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown. He also had a two-yard quarterback sneak on fourth down to keep the drive alive.
Squally Canada
Canada finished the game with career highs in attempts and yards with 25 and 213 to go along with one touchdown. His 213 yards were the most by a BYU player since Jamaal Williams ran for 286 against Toledo last season. He went over the 800-career rushing yard mark (862) and now has 546 on the season. He had a 54-yard run in the third quarter for a career long rush.
Zayne Anderson
Anderson thwarted a Rebel touchdown with an interception in the end zone in the second quarter. It was his second of the year after picking off a pass in the fourth quarter in the season opener against Portland State. He finished with four tackles.
Fred Warner
The senior finished the game with just one tackle but a late interception in the fourth quarter sealed BYU’s victory. It was the first interception of the season for Warner and seventh of his career.
NOTABLE CAREER HIGHS and FIRSTS
First start: Joe Critchlow
First touchdown: Austin Kafentzis (rushing), Joe Critchlow (passing)
Rushing attempts: Squally Canada (25), Austin Kafentzis (10), Joe Critchlow (2)
Rushing yards: Squally Canada (213), Austin Kafentzis (53)
Completions: Joe Critchlow (14)
Attempts: Joe Critchlow (22)
Long kick return: Michael Shelton (31 yards)