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Las Vegas • Southern Utah just missed beating Football Bowl Subdivision teams Wyoming and San Jose State last season.
In 2010, SUU lost to Wyoming (28-20) and San Jose (16-11).
This year, the Thunderbirds didn't leave anything to chance.
Southern Utah returned three interceptions for touchdowns and pounded UNLV, 41-16, on Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium.
The lopsided victory improved Southern Utah's record to 3-1.
UNLV, coming off a 40-20 win over Hawaii, slipped to 1-3.
"I hope," said Southern Utah coach Ed Lamb, "this shows we play pretty good football."
In 2010, SUU lost to Wyoming (28-20) and San Jose (16-11). But they dominated the second half against the Rebels by scoring 31 straight points.
The Thunderbird defense turned this game into a rout.
Defensive tackle Nick Witzmann returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown to gave SUU an early 10-7 lead.
Linebacker Blake Fenn returned an interception 22 yards on the first play of the second half to give the Thunderbirds a 16-10 lead.
Finally, safety Erron Vonner's 60-yard interception for a touchdown bumped Southern Utah's lead to 41-10 midway through the fourth quarter.
Offensively, quarterback Brad Sorensen bounced back from a sub-par first half to finish with 18 completions in 34 attempts for 178 yards.
Austin Minefee ran for two touchdowns, both in the second half.