Sports

UNLV overcomes 4 turnovers, grinds out 13-12 win over Northern Colorado

Associated Press
Published | Updated

UNLV running back Keith Whitely (28) catches a pass next to Northern Colorado linebacker Dominick Sierra during the second quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (The Associated Press)

UNLV quarterback Blake Decker (5) loses his helmet as he is sacked by Northern Colorado during the second quarter of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher) (The Associated Press)

George Naufahu ran 22 times for 90 yards and UNLV overcame four turnovers to beat Northern Colorado 13-12 Saturday night.

Mike Horsey's third-quarter interception - the first of the season for the Rebels - led to a 35-yard field goal by Jon Leiva with :22 seconds left in the period, giving UNLV (1-1) a 13-10 lead.

Trailing by one with 5:45 left in the game, Northern Colorado's Seth Czapenski missed a 24-yard field goal.

UNLV opened the scoring with a 5-play, 64-yard drive on its first series, highlighted by a 48-yard pass from Blake Decker to Devonte Boyd. Decker later found Marcus Sullivan over the middle for a 5-yard TD.

Northern Colorado (0-1) tied it late in the third quarter, when Robert Holland rumbled in from three yards out at the 6:55 mark.

The Bears converted 2 of 12 third downs and crossed midfield just four times.