*Carta-Samuels, Gipson lead Wyoming over UNLV 30-27*

By MATT JOYCE Associated Press Writer

LARAMIE, Wyo.(AP) -- Austyn Carta-Samuels went 24 of 37 and threw three touchdown passes in his first start to help Wyoming beat UNLV 30-27 in the Mountain West Conference opener for both teams.

A true freshman, Carta-Samuels led the Cowboys (2-2, 1-0 Mountain West) on two key scoring drives in the fourth quarter, and cornerback Tashaun Gipson picked off Rebel quarterback Omar Clayton twice in the second half to lead the Wyoming defense.

UNLV (2-2, 0-1) had a chance to tie the game with a field goal with 1:19 remaining, but fumbled the snap and Wyoming's Corey Orth recovered the ball at the Cowboys' 38-yard line.

Gabe Knapton made 17 tackles. Clayton went 26 of 43 for the Rebels, who dropped their 20th straight conference road game. Starr Fuimaono led the UNLV defense with 11 tackles.