Former Wisconsin offensive coordinator Phil Longo and the Sam Houston State Bearkats fell 38-21 to the UNLV Rebels on Friday night.
The result dropped the team to 0-2 (0-1 Conference USA) on the young season. The team already kicked off its campaign in Week 0 with a 41-24 loss to conference foe Western Kentucky.
Longo’s defense struggled again against UNLV. After allowing 506 total yards to the Hilltoppers in Week 0, the unit allowed 404 to the Rebels on Friday night: 249 passing and 155 rushing. UNLV converted six of its 10 third- and fourth-down conversions and turned almost all of its scoring chances into touchdowns. While early, Sam Houston State’s defensive struggles have already played a major role in each of the team’s two games.
Longo’s offense, meanwhile, mostly repeated its opening effort. The unit, led by the quarterback duo of Hunter Watson and former Badger Mabrey Mettauer, tallied 332 total yards (187 passing, 145 rushing). A chunk of its production came with the result decided, however, as UNLV led 31-7 entering the fourth quarter.
Sam Houston State’s quarterback rotation is another key story from the contest. Longo played both Watson and Mettauer. The former, who started for the team last season, completed 11 of 22 passes for 101 yards. The former Wisconsin transfer, on the other hand, completed 8 of 13 pass attempts for 86 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Longo listed the two as co-starters on his official depth chart entering Week 0. While Mettauer did not see the field during the opener, Longo said Friday that his plan entering each game has been to rotate the two.
Mettauer transferred to Sam Houston State after appearing in three games as a true freshman at Wisconsin in 2024. The former four-star recruit was part of a quarterback room that turned over completely after Longo’s firing in November. He now has a real chance to win the full-time starting job at Sam Houston State, especially given Watson’s up-and-down play to start the year.
Longo and Sam Houston State are back on the field on Sept. 6 at Hawaii. They travel to face No. 1 Texas on Sept. 20 before starting their conference schedule.
ESPN’s Football Power Index lists the Bearkats as the No. 128 team in the nation, down 22 spots from its previous ranking. After the program won 10 games under former coach K.C. Keeler a season ago, a bowl trip would be a major victory.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: How former Wisconsin OC Phil Longo, QB Mabrey Mettauer fared in Week 1 game vs UNLV
Reporting by Ben Kenney, Badgers Wire / Badgers Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
