In Saturday’s heartbreaking loss against visiting Syracuse, the Rebels can’t help from replaying so many moments that would have changed the outcome of the game. The fans can have long memories, but the players can’t. UNLV has to have a short memory and get back on track before they head to Logan, Utah to take on the Aggies Friday night.

So what went wrong and where could the outcome have changed?

Fans will immediately, and rightfully, point at a very questionable overtime call that had a direct impact on the game. Syracuse was down three and facing a 3rd and 20 from the UNLV 24 yard line. A stop would have forced a field goal attempt to tie and force a second overtime period - and Syracuse has only drained 50% of their attempts on the year.

UNLV applied pressure and forced Kyle McCord with a short dump off pass to running back LeQuint Allen. Jackson Woodard responded quickly and dropped him for a 1 yard gain. But a flag was tossed and Alexander Whitmore was tagged with a late hit and potential targeting on McCord. The targeting was reviewed and repealed, but the roughing call stood. Replays showed no malice or over-aggression and Whitmore was in McCord's face before release. A couple plays later, Syracuse drives for the game winning score. But the Rebels had two more prime opportunities in regulation before losing in overtime.

On Syracuse's final drive in regulation, one in which they needed a touchdown to force overtime, the Rebels had two plays that got away from them.

Facing a 4th and 1 from the UNLV 24 yard line with 1:03 remaining in the game, the Orange gave the ball to LeQuint Allen around the left side. Jalen Catalon, who had a monster game with 17 tackles (9 solo), met Allen with a hard hit, driving him back a couple of yards, but Catalon failed to wrap up. Allen was able to barely maintain his balance and scooted down the sideline for an 11 yard game. Adding insult to injury, linebacker Mani Powell was flagged for a late hit to give the Orange a first and goal from the Rebel seven yard line.

Two plays later, with 28 seconds remaining, McCord tried to connect with his top receiver, Trebor Pena, over the middle. Jakcson Woodard was in close vicinity and was credited with a pass break up, but it's a ball he could have intercepted. It wasn't a "hit your numbers in the middle of the chest" type of attempt for Woodard, it would have been a great play had he picked it. He had to reach back across his body to make the play. He was able to get both hands on the ball, but it scooted away for the incompletion. On the very next play, McCord found Pena from six yards out to tie the game at 38 with 24 seconds remaining.

With three time outs and the ball at their own 25 yard line, the Rebels elected to take a knee and head into overtime. A conservative call, especially considering at the end of the first half, UNLV took over at their own 25 after a Syracuse field goal with only seven seconds on the game clock. In that series, UNLV attempted to drive the ball into scoring position with a couple of downfield passes, coming up just short of the 50 yard line. A stark contrast in philosophies from half to half, but it amounts to simplistic Monday morning quarterbacking. Had the Rebels turned it over and lost the game in regulation, it would have been a monumental blunder. When you drop a close game, some level of blame, deserved or not, will fall within that decision making.

There were some important moments even before the frenzied last couple of minutes and overtime.

UNLV ended up settling for a chip shot field goal, but near the end of the third quarter and trailing by 10, the Rebels faced a first and goal from the four yard line. As has happened in previous games, the Rebels had bland running play calls and went backwards, never coming close to the goal line.

Another area that has to be concerning for the Rebels is the slow starts. UNLV fell behind 14-0 early, allowing McCord to complete his first 11 passes. It was clear the defense wasn't dialed in yet. And it appeared that the Rebels wanted to get off to a fast start, receiving the ball for the first possession of the game. On the very first play from scrimmage, Hajj-Malik Williams went deep to Jaden Bradley over the middle. Defenders were there, but Bradley had some space. There was some mistimed steps and a leap that turned a very catchable ball into an incompletion. It led to a three and out and McCord started slicing up the Rebel defense the next series.

But credit to the Rebels, they fought hard even though they didn't play particularly well. They were down two scores in the first half and came back to take a lead and they were down two scores in the second half and came back to take a lead. In the end, the defense just didn't have enough gas. That's what happens when the opposition runs 96 offensive plays.

There are a lot of lessons to be learned when defeat is snatched from the jaws of victory. The Rebels need to learn them quickly and not worry about being huge road favorites over Utah State. A non-conference loss can be a minor ding on a season, if that's what you allow it to be. A conference loss in a game you should win handily would let all of the air out of the balloon.