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UNLV's chances of pulling a shocking upset over No. 13 ranked UCLA on Saturday were slim even before the two teams slipped on their uniforms. After quarterback Blake Decker went down with a hamstring injury in the first quarter, the possibility was nonexistent.

Kurt Palendech was thrown into the fire of trying to move the ball against one of the most athletic defenses in the country. The sophomore, along with the Rebel offense, didn't fare well. Palendech completed four passes through three quarter for just four total yards.

To be fair, Palendech is the running threat of the two options UNLV head coach Tony Sanchez has for the quarterback position. With very little room to run the ball, the Bruins defense teed off over and over again.

The Rebels were forced to try and pick up first downs without any threat of the pass. Not an ideal way to attack a defense that flies all over the field.

However, there were some bright spots that Sanchez can look back on and be pleased about. UNLV's defense, which wore down a week ago against Northern Illinois after holding the Huskies in check for three quarters, continued to show improvement.

There was never a lack of effort or sign of panic from this Rebel group. They picked off three Bruin passes, albeit twice in the fourth quarter against back-up Jerry Neuheisel.

Maybe UCLA was conservative with UNLV's offense being so inept, but the Rebels still tackled well all evening and didn't allow the type of big plays that the Bruins can pick up.

Considering this was the best opponent that UNLV will face this year, there's enough to take away from this game to feel good about where the Rebels are heading.

Obviously, the future of this season is going to hinge on the severity of Decker's hamstring. The only concern against facing this gauntlet of quality opponents to begin the year was getting anyone banged up. Decker is the least affordable player the Rebels can lose to an injury for any amount of time.

Sanchez's evolution of the UNLV program was going to be difficult as it was this season. Without Decker, it will be an inenviable task.

Fingers crossed.

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