UNLV Football fans hoping for a turnaround in 2019 all but saw their bowl game hopes take a kill shot this past weekend after the Rebels fell on the road to Fresno State, 56-27. The loss marked the fifth time in the team’s six games the defense allowed 30 or more points, dropping UNLV to a 2-5 record with five games remaining in the season.
Winless the Mountain West Conference at 0-3, the Rebels would need to win four of the final five just to finish .500 in a season that was bowl or bust for the coaching staff. Needless to say, UNLV fans are taking the loss hard, especially considering Fresno State was just 2-3.
Much like the Northwestern game a few weeks ago, the Rebels led 10-7 early in the second quarter before turnovers sank UNLV. Freshman quarterback Kenyon Oblad, who looked sharp early, struggled down the stretch — turning the football over three times — while both Rebel running backs fumbled once apiece.
Head coach Tony Sanchez, whose future most likely is tied to the Rebels’ bowl hopes, wasn’t happy.
When you turn the ball over five times, you’re not going to win the football game,” Sanchez said. “There’s not many 29-point losses that I’ve ever been a part of where when you watch the film, you’re going to be sick to your stomach because it’s a game you could have won. It’s unbelievable. It’s unacceptable to have that many turnovers.”
With a new $2 billion home stadium next year, the pressure to win this season for the coaching staff was intense. Athletic director Denise Reed-Francois, while still giving Sanchez her vote of confidence a few weeks ago, has been clear she expected a bowl game this season.
“We are looking forward to a successful 2019 football season, including bowl eligibility,” she said in a statement when elaborating on Sanchez’s job status prior to the season.
Most read into the statement as an ultimatum. Some fans weren’t silent about their displeasure on social media.
#UNLVFB will be out of a bowl yet again because #tonysanchez can’t coach D1 football. He’s had 5 years of recruiting, finished the Fertitta complex and a new stadium is on the way. It’s time to turn it over to a coach who can actually coach and get us to a bowl.
— #fireTonySanchez (2-5) (@fireunlvsanchez) October 20, 2019
#UNLV coach Tony Sanchez had a win 6 and go bowling mandate to keep his job after this season. After last night, the Rebels are 2-5. It's time to acknowledge that he will not meet the mandate. Let us end this mess and fire him now to get moving on finding the next head coach.
— Scott Bilo (@BiloRatedSports) October 19, 2019
No team with a 2-5 record has ever made a bowl game. Sorry @unlvfootball #UNLVFB fans but we will have 2 wait another year 2 see our Rebels play N a bowl game. Hopefully @DRFrancois1 can find a true D1 coach. @Lane_Kiffin are you ready for a dry heat instead of the humidity?
— Martin Stein (@UNLVSUPERFAN1) October 21, 2019
Sanchez knows he is done! Just collecting a paycheck at the expense of the university.. Wonder if stadium deal will give unlv more funds for a top notch coaching staff??
— Loralei (@Loralei99) October 19, 2019
While Reed-Francois has shown patience to allow a coach to complete their season, she isn’t afraid to wield the ax when necessary. She already did it once this year, canning former UNLV basketball coach Marvin Menzies after just three seasons.
This is Sanchez’s fifth season, and he’s yet to eclipse the 5-win mark. Stay tuned as this plays out but the sun may very well be officially setting on the Sanchez Era at UNLV.
