USU Football preview: UNLV
LOGAN — The Rebels in the last two seasons have gone an eye-opening 2-16. Last season, things were looking up for the Rebels with transfer quarterback and former four-star recruit, Tate Martell, but he would go on to only suit up in two games for the Rebels before medically retiring from football this offseason.
Instead, the Rebels are relying on Doug Brumfield this season after he won the quarterback battle over Cameron Friel. Brumfield has been sensational through his first three games. He has thrown for 773 yards on 85 attempts with a 70.6% completion percentage. The sophomore has seven touchdowns and only one interception. Along with his fantastic passing attack, Brumfield has also ran the ball exceptionally with 120 rushing yards on 28 attempts and two touchdowns. He is second in rushing yards for the Rebels.
The big loss for UNLV was senior running back, Charles Williams. Williams spent six seasons with the Rebels from 2016-2021. While totaling over 4200 rushing yards and 34 touchdowns, Williams was known as the offensive powerhouse for the Rebels. The projected starting running back for 2022 is Chad Maygar, who only had 45 rushing yards on 13 carries last season.
Despite losing Williams, the Rebels have gotten a solid return out of junior running back, Aidan Robbins. Robbins leads the team in rushing with 346 yards on 53 attempts. Good for a 6.5 yards per attempt. He leads the team in rushing touchdowns with six.
Defensively, the Rebels are expected to be better. Despite losing leading tackler Jacoby Windmon to Michigan State in the transfer portal, UNLV returned 12 seniors and linebacker Austin Aijake. He had an impressive stat line of 18 tackles against the Aggies last season and totaled 10-plus tackles four times in 2021.
The Aggies defeated the Rebels at Allegiant Stadium last season 28-24 on a go-ahead touchdown with 35 seconds left from Eleyon Noa.
Through three games on the season, UNLV sits at a 2-1 record with wins over Idaho State and North Texas and a loss to California by six points.
The Rebels are favored by three points in the game.
UNLV and USU kickoff at 5 p.m. on Aggie Radio 92.3 FM and CBS Sports Network. The game will be at Maverik Stadium where the Aggies have defeated UNLV six straight times, with the last loss coming in 2008.
Featured image by Heidi Bingham from the Weber State game.