LAS VEGAS — Utah's 35-15 win at UNLV on Saturday night avenged a 2007 setback at Sam Boyd Stadium. It also helped the Utes secure No. 18 in the initial Bowl Championship Series standings, No. 19 in this week's Associated Press Top 25, and a No. 20 ranking in the coaches poll.

What it didn't do, however, was leave everyone completely satisfied.

"It's a win. Much better than the last time we were down here as far as results," said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. "Not really a clean game. We didn't play very disciplined at times, very smart at times. But good enough to come away with a victory."

The outcome improved the Utes to 5-1 overall and 2-0 in Mountain West Conference play. They've won three straight entering this Saturday's home game against Air Force.

Free safety Robert Johnson has led the momentum. The MWC's reigning Defensive Player of the Week had another strong showing. The senior set up one score with an interception and returned a fumble 64 yards off a pick by teammate Christian Cox for a touchdown to pace a decisive second quarter for the Utes.

"He's a playmaker back there and one of the best free safeties in the country," Whittingham said. "... He's a valuable part of what we are doing."

Johnson was one of 11 Utah defenders to contribute on 13 stops behind the line of scrimmage. Other standouts included defensive back Lamar Chapman, defensive end Koa Misi and linebacker Mike Wright, who combined for 22 tackles.

The Utes forced the Rebels to kick three field goals. They became the first team since 2007 to hold quarterback Omar Clayton without a touchdown pass.

"It was pretty apparent that throughout the game our red-zone defense was solid," Whittingham said before praising his team's success on the other side of the ball. "... I think we took another step forward with our red zone offense."

The Utes were 3-for-3 in the red zone — scoring touchdowns on 6-yard passes from Terrance Cain to Aiona Key and Ben Hendy, as well as 3-yard run by Cain.

Overall, however, Whittingham noted that the offense has had better days.

"We played a weird game offensively," he said. "We weren't in sync. We never really got in a rhythm."

Even so, there were some solid individual performances.

Cain wound up completing 17-of-24 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns; Jereme Brooks led the receiving corps with six catches, and running back Eddie Wide topped 100 yards for the third consecutive game — finishing with 111, including a 37-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter to cap his Las Vegas homecoming.

On the negative side, Utah was penalized 10 times for 110 yards. The flags led to five UNLV first downs.

"We're playing aggressive," Whittingham said. "But you know we've got to play smart at the same time."

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com