UNLV Stops Long Beach Cold, 31-8

Normally a potent offensive team, Cal State Long Beach couldn’t run or pass Saturday. Nevada Las Vegas did both and easily defeated the 49ers, 31-8.

“That was a joke,” said Coach Mike Sheppard after his 49ers dropped to 5-5 overall and 3-3 in the Pacific Coast Athletic Assn.

Las Vegas led, 3-0, at halftime but began a 21-point third-quarter outburst when quarterback Steve Stallworth and flanker George Thomas combined on a 71-yard touchdown pass.

Stallworth followed that with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Tony Gladney, and Rod Emery then ran 33 yards for another score.

Emery gained 145 yards in 28 carries, and Stallworth threw for 233 yards.

The Long Beach offense suffered through a terrible day before 5,197 fans at Veterans Stadium.

Operating without a running attack (8 net yards), quarterback Jeff Graham completed only 11 passes for 123 yards and was benched in the third quarter.

His backup, Gary Ruhlen, threw three interceptions.

The 49ers dropped several passes.

“It’s a matter of not concentrating,” said Graham, who had been averaging 279 passing yards. “One time it’s me, one time it’s someone else.”

Only a fourth-quarter blocked punt by Lane McCarthy and an ensuing 16-yard return for a touchdown by Phillip Morrision enabled the 49ers to avoid being shut out for the first time since 1978.

“All of us accept the blame,” Sheppard said. “The team played like it wasn’t coached very well, I thought the players were casual in their attitude on Thursday and Friday. Somehow I think that had something to do with it.”

Long Beach fullback Mark Templeton caught 5 passes to increase his career total to 247 and surpass Dave Williams of Illinois in second place on the all-time NCAA list.

Howard Twilley of Tulsa is first with 261 receptions.

The 49ers end their season next Saturday, playing host to Pacific. Las Vegas finished 6-5 and 3-4.