LAS VEGAS - UNLV redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Sherry finished his first career start completing 16 of 35 passes for 116 yards, one touchdown and three interceptions in a 30-27 triple-overtime loss to the Gophers on Thursday night.

Unfortunately for the Rebels, one of those interceptions came on the second play of the third overtime, as Sherry looked toward the back of the end zone and threw into triple coverage. Playing in a Cover-3, Gophers sophomore safety Derrick Wells stepped in front of the pass for his second interception of the game.

"One thing coach told me was, 'You don't have to win the game,' " Sherry said. "But I saw the receiver in the end zone, and I underthrew him."

UNLV coach Bobby Hauck acknowledged his young quarterback missed several opportunities in the season-opener for both teams, but touched more on Sherry's positives.

"He played in his first college football game and it happens to be at quarterback and gets us into a triple-overtime game with a Big Ten outfit, which probably means the quarterback did some good stuff," Hauck said.