Bonner, Arkansas State cruise to 43-17 win over UNLV

LAS VEGAS -- Logan Bonner passed for two touchdowns and ran for another to help Arkansas State beat UNLV 43-17 on Saturday night for interim coach David Duggan's first collegiate victory.

Duggan, who was named Arkansas State's defensive coordinator in January, was given the interim tag when head coach Blake Anderson took a leave of absence after his wife Wendy passed away on Aug. 19.

Bonner was 22-of-37 passing for 284 yards and scored on a 1-yard run. Omar Bayless had six receptions for 149 yards, including a 71-yard catch and run for a touchdown, and Ryan Graham ran for 103 yards and a score on 12 carries for Arkansas State (1-1).

On the third play from scrimmage, Jeremy Smith picked off a pass from Armani Rogers and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown and, after UNLV went three-and-out, Blake Grupe's 26-yard field goal gave Arkansas State a 10-0 lead with 4:40 left in the first quarter.

The Rebels answered with a 16-play, 64-yard drive but had to settle for a 27-yard field goal by Daniel Guttierez but Arkansas State scored the next 23 points, capped by Kirk Merritt's 37-yard TD catch, to take a 30-3 lead with 12:30 left in the third quarter.

Charles Williams had 168 yards rushing and a score on 19 carries for UNLV (1-1). Rogers completed 8 of 23 for 42 yards with an interception and was sacked six times, finishing with just 4 yards rushing on 17 carries.