Gary Kazanjian / AP

Fresno State 31, UNLV 28

Game over

The skies opened up just as UNLV was fighting to prevent another winnable game from getting away. The rain didn't stop, but UNLV's offense did.

The Rebels led by 14 early in the second half but the offense went quiet, and a defense that had come out of the half playing fast and swarming around reverted to its first-half ways. Those two things led to Fresno State storming back and snapping its 5-game losing streak with a 31-28 victory.

The Rebels (2-5, 1-2) started the final drive with a huge run from Kurt Palandech, but the quarterback who struggled passing all game — and for most of the season — couldn't get the ball moving when UNLV needed it most. Instead of trying a long field goal in the pouring rain, UNLV went for it on fourth down and Palandech was sacked to effectively end the game.

Check lasvegassun.com later tonight for a full report from the Rebels' loss.

The Rebel Room On to Fresno The Rebels' comeback fell short in overtime against San Jose State but Las Vegas Sun sports editor Ray Brewer and reporters Case Keefer and Taylor Bern aren't feeling too down about UNLV's outlook as it prepares for the short week and a trip to Fresno State.

FRESNO, Calif. — Now that he’s in the college game, UNLV coach Tony Sanchez doesn’t want to play on Friday nights, preferring to leave that to the high schools across the country. But since they’re here anyway, the Rebels figure they might as well make the most of it. Considering the opposing defense, that could mean a high-scoring night.

UNLV (2-4, 1-1) and Fresno State (1-5, 0-3) kick off tonight at 7:32 p.m. in Bulldog Stadium. The game will air on ESPN2, which means a chance for the Rebels to be seen for the first time by a lot of different people.

“You get national exposure,” Sanchez said, “… and at the same time you get money. That helps.”

The Rebels and Bulldogs will each receive $300,000 from the Mountain West’s TV bonus structure. It’s possible a good performance tonight could help UNLV get its Halloween home game against Boise State on air too, as that game will be selected Monday for either ESPN/ESPN2, which come with additional funds, or ESPNU/ESPN3, which don’t.

That part is out of UNLV’s hands, though. What the Rebels can control is their own performance against a defense that’s given up an average of seven touchdowns in Fresno State's five losses.

The Rebels will try to attack that unit with sophomore quarterback Kurt Palandech, who’s making his second straight start. Senior Blake Decker is available as the backup, but it’s expected to be Palandech’s show.

What is that going to mean? Was his strong finish in last week’s San Jose State loss an indication of improvement, as Sanchez has suggested, or was that a fluke and Palandech is really closer to the guy who finished the first half 5-of-14 passing with two interceptions and two or three other passes right in the hands of defenders?

Either way, we know Palandech is good with his feet, and perhaps that will be enough tonight. It’s strange to feel confident about UNLV going on the road as a six-point favorite, but I do.

UNLV’s defense isn’t great, but it’s good, and where it excels is turnovers. The Rebels are tied for the second-best turnover margin in the conference, and their 10 interceptions rank fifth in the country.

Bern’s prediction: A couple of big plays on defense and a decent running game might be enough, and a little more than that could lead to a very comfortable win. I’m predicting the latter. UNLV 32, Fresno State 16

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.