Las Vegas – The Rebels opened up the season Thursday night against the Minnesota Golden Gophers in front of 16,013 fans at Sam Boyd Stadium. The two teams put on a show, going into triple overtime, with Minnesota prevailing 30-27.

UNLV scored first on a 39-yard field goal by Nolan Kohorst with 9:13 remaining in the first quarter. It was back and fourth from there, ending the fourth quarter on a 35-yard field goal by Kohorst, to tie things up at 13-13 and set up the first OT.

It was the Golden Gophers’ first overtime game since a win at Syracuse in 2009. UNLV went to OT for the first time since a 2008 win over Iowa State at home.

Minnesota’s MarQueis Gray threw two touchdown passes to John Rabe in overtime, and Jordan Wettstein hit a 32-yard field goal in the third extra session to lift the Golden Gophers over the Rebels, 30-27.

UNLV’s Tim Cornett had 127 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries, including an 18-yard score in the first overtime. Redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Sherry finished the game 16-of-35 with one touchdown and three interceptions, including one in the third overtime.

The Rebels are at home next Saturday, September 8th, when they host Northern Arizona.