Rockets Suffer Opening Day Loss To UNLV, 28-18

8/29/2003 12:00:00 PM

Aug. 29, 2003

LAS VEGAS - The Rockets led the UNLV Rebels, 18-14, with less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter until UNLV tight end Greg Estandia scored a pair of touchdowns in a 27-second span to put the Rockets in a hole that was too deep to climb out of in a 28-18 season-opening loss in 102-degree heat in Las Vegas.

UT trailed at halftime, 14-12, despite a pair of touchdown receptions by junior tight end Andrew Clarke. The Rockets took the lead in the third quarter when rover Paul Dye picked up a fumble and scampered 80 yards for a touchdown.

Estandia scored the go-ahead TD for UNLV on a 19-yard pass from Kurt Nantkes with 5:52 to play. Toledo fumbled on the next play from scrimmage, and UNLV struck immediately with a 22-yard TD pass from Nantkes to Estandia.

Despite the loss, Rocket Head Coach Tom Amstutz remained upbeat about his team. "I'm not disappointed with our players. I'm not disappointed with our effort," said Amstutz. "I think we have the makings of a good football team. I saw a football team that can play. I think we will continue to improve as we move down the schedule."

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