Sanford to Lead Rebels

Nevada Las Vegas hired Utah offensive coordinator Mike Sanford to replace retiring coach John Robinson, Utah Athletic Director Chris Hill said Sunday.

“He’s taking the job at UNLV,” Hill told Associated Press.

Nevada Las Vegas officials did not immediately return phone messages.

The hiring was first reported in the Salt Lake Tribune and Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The Rebels reached an agreement in principle with Sanford, and he was to travel to Las Vegas on Sunday to finalize the deal, the Review-Journal reported, citing an unidentified source.

Sanford had been considered a candidate to replace Ute Coach Urban Meyer, who is taking over at Florida after coaching Utah in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 1.

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Miami of Ohio receiver Michael Larkin was in stable condition after he and two other students were stabbed in a dispute over a car being blocked in a parking lot. The extent of Larkin’s injury was not immediately available. The dispute occurred early Sunday behind a fraternity house on the Oxford campus. Miami will play Iowa State in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 28.... Chad Owens caught four touchdown passes, including three in the second half, and Hawaii rallied to defeat Michigan State, 41-38, Saturday night to earn a berth in the Hawaii Bowl. Owens, who had five touchdowns in Hawaii’s win against Northwestern the previous weekend, finished with 13 catches for 283 yards. The Warriors (7-5) will play Alabama Birmingham in the bowl game on Dec. 24. The Spartans finished 5-7.