Tag: Donavyn Lester

How UNLV can Beat Air Force: Preview, Predictions, How To Stream

In a battle for first place in the Mountain West, UNLV will travel to take on Air Force.

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WEEK 12: UNLV Rebels (8-2-6, 5-1 MW) Air Force Falcons (8-2, 5-1 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, November 18th – 12:30 pm PT/1:30 pm MT

WHERE: Falcon Stadium, Colorado Springs, Colorado

TV: CBSSN

STREAM: Get a free trial with FuboTV

RADIO: : ESPN 1100 AM & 100.9 FM (Russ Langer, Caleb Herring & Steve Cofield)

SERIES RECORD: Air Force leads 18-6 and has won the last five meetings

LAST WEEK: UNLV beat Wyoming 34-14, while Air Force Lost to Hawaii 27-13

In a battle for first place in the Mountain West, UNLV will travel to take on Air Force. The Rebels have won five of their first six league outings for the first time since finishing 5-1 in Big West in 1994. The Rebels have shattered program records for 40+point games for both consecutive outings (four) and in a season (six) while scoring at least 24 points in eight straight games for the first time since they moved to Division One in 1978. UNLV’s current total of 31 rushing touchdowns is second in the nation behind only USC (32) and the most for a Rebel team since running in 34 in 1975.

UNLV is tied for sixth nationally in turnover margin at plus-10 — powered by 13 interceptions (T7th nationally). The Rebels sit fifth nationally in third-down conversion rate at 53.8%, and their 84 third-down conversions are eight more than any other team. 

Slow Down The Run

When facing the Air Force, you must slow down their outstanding rushing attack. The Falcons average 275.9 rushing yards per game. They run the triple option, which is hard to stop.

Emmanuel Michel leads them in rushing with 733 yards, and quarterback Zac Larrier adds 5779 yards on the ground.

UNLV must play a sound, disciplined defense. The front seven must maintain gap control and not overcommit. Tackling will also be essential. You cannot miss tackles against Air Force; they will make you pay for it.

Run The Ball

The Rebels like to run the football; they average 195.7 yards per game. The Rebels have three running backs who have rushed for over 400 yards: Vincent Davis Jr. (553), Jai’Den Thomas (420), and Donavyn Lester (418). Also, Thomas has nine touchdowns, Lester eight, and Davis four. But the Falcons have the Mountain West Conference’s best defense and only give up 86 yards per game. So something will have to give. The Rebels will need success running the ball to keep the Falcons offense off the field.

Maiava Must Make Plays

With the Falcons’ outstanding rush defense, the Rebels must make plays in the passing game. Quarterback Jayden Maiava has yet to be asked to do much this season, but this may change on Saturday. Since taking over the starting quarterback job from Doug Brumfield, Maiava has passed for 2,060 yards, 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions. If Maiava can make plays in the passing game, it could help the Rebels win.

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The Falcons’ attempt to stop the run could leave receiver Ricky White one-on-one with defenders. White leads UNLV with 62 catches for 1,020 yards and six touchdowns.

Prediction

Air Force is a favorite by three. UNLV wins a tough battle 21-20

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UNLV Football: How the Rebels Can Beat Fresno State, How To Watch, Odds, Prediction

The UNLV Rebels have their real test this Saturday night against the Fresno State Bulldogs on the road. These programs have played each other as part of three different conferences (Big West, WAC, and now MW), and Fresno State leads the overall series 18-7.

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Date: Saturday, October 28, 2023

Time: 7:30 PM PT

TV: Fox Sports 1

Live Stream: Watch this game on Fubo

City: Fresno, California

Venue: Bulldog Stadium at Jim Sweeney Field

Odds: Fresno State -9

The UNLV Rebels have their real test this Saturday night against the Fresno State Bulldogs on the road. These programs have played each other as part of three different conferences (Big West, WAC, and now MW), and Fresno State leads the overall series 18-7. This marks the first time these teams will play on a Saturday in three years, as the last two meetings occurred on a Friday night.

UNLV, who is receiving votes in both major polls for the first time since 2003, is bowl-eligible for the first time since playing in the Heart of Dallas Bowl after the 2013 season.

Rushing Attack

For the Rebels to win this game, they must lean on their rushing attack. UNLV averages 209 yards per game. The Rebels have three running backs with over 300 yards rushing on the season. Vincent Davis Jr. leads the team with 388 yards, Donavyn Lester adds 325 yards, and Jai” Den Thomas has 319.

The Rebels rushing attack is critical because it keeps them in third and manageable; now, UNLV converts 53% of their third down conversions. The Bulldogs do a decent job stopping the run, giving up 114 yards per game; that’s good for second in the Mountain West.

Slow Down Bulldogs

On Defense, the Rebels must slow down the Fresno State offense; they averaged 34 points per game. They pass the ball well with Mikey Keene, who has passed for 1,692 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions. The Bulldogs can also run the ball with Malik Sherrod and Elijah Gilliam. 

The Rebels must focus on stopping the run and putting pressure on Keene to make him uncomfortable.

Turnovers

The turnover battle will be key on Saturday night. Who wins the turnover battle will likely win. Rebels quarterback Jayden Maiava must refrain from turning the ball over. With the Bulldogs focusing on stopping the run, there will be plays to be made down the field; that’s when Ricky White should come into play.

Prediction

Bulldogs winning a classic game in the final seconds, 28-27.

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UNLV Football: Rebels beat Hawaii 44-20 to take home the Golden Pineapple

The UNLV Rebels beat the Hawaii Warriors 44-20 to win the Golden Pineapple trophy on Saturday afternoon. It was the third straight game the Rebels have scored 40 or more points.

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The UNLV Rebels beat the Hawaii Warriors 44-20 to win the Golden Pineapple trophy on Saturday afternoon. It was the third straight game the Rebels have scored 40 or more points.

 

“This game was not only important to our team and to our university but also to Las Vegas,” Rebels head coach Barry Odom said. With conference play starting, the ability to continue the momentum we have built so far in our program and the importance of every single conference game are huge for where we are trying to get to. This is the first time we have scored 40 points in three straight games; that’s tremendous. We had a great offensive performance. We had six sacks and didn’t give up any on the other side. That’s complimentary football. When we can do that and play well in all three phases together, we’ve got an opportunity to continue to play winning ball … I’m proud of this team for what we’ve done now through five weeks.”

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The Rebels were led by an outstanding rushing attack that netted 307 yards. Six different Rebel runners finished with more than 30 yards on the ground, led by Donavyn Lester’s best day with UNLV (98 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries). Courtney Reese added two rushing touchdowns on 32 yards.

“We just enjoy being around the team, the players on a team, running back Donavyn Lester said. “We just try to build each other up every day. We have many selfless guys who don’t care who gets the ball.” 

UNLV’s defense played well; they held the Warriors to 46 yards rushing and had six sacks on the day. Safety Johnathan Baldwin finished with nine tackles, including two for a loss and a sack.

 Quarterback Jayden Maiava completed only 11 passes, but two were touchdowns, including a 16-yarder to running back Vincent Davis Jr. to open the scoring as the Rebels built a 20-3 halftime lead and never looked back.

The Rebels played aggressive man-to-man defense and gave up some long passes; once they clean that up, their defense would be even better. Rebels defensive coordinator Mike Scherer brought in a new scheme that works for the Rebels.

“The Scheme he brought in allows us to play fast run and make many plays. His motto is run and hit,” Rebels safety Johnathan Baldwin said.

 

Players to Watch For UNLV Rebels Offense

Barry Odom hired Brennan Marion to be the UNLV Rebels, offensive coordinator. Marion is installing his “Go-Go Offense,”

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New UNLV Rebels head football coach Barry Odom first hired Bobby Petrino to be Rebels offensive coordinator. After just 20 days at UNLV, Petrino took the Texas A&M offensive coordinator job.

Odom then pivoted to hire Brennan Marion to be the Rebels new offensive coordinator. Marion is installing his “Go-GO Offense,” built around a no-huddle running game and a vertical passing attack.

Quarterback Doug Brumfield

The Rebels have quarterback Doug Brumfield back from injury to run the offense. He has a strong arm and can make plays with his legs; Brumfield is the perfect quarterback for the go-go system; he needs to stay healthy. 

Last season in ten games, Brumfield threw for 1,898 yards, with ten touchdowns and five interceptions on 64.6% passing. He also rushed for 261 yards and six touchdowns.

Brumfield led the Rebels to a 4-1 start last year before injuries derailed their season.

UNLV’s Offense Under Brennan Marion’s Leadership

Receiver Rickey White

All-conference receiver Ricky White returns; he caught 52 passes for 6222 yards and four touchdowns in his first season at UNLV. In Marion’s offense, White’s numbers should increase with many down-the-field targets.

White wants to stretch the field more and have more explosive plays. He averaged 12.5 yards per reception last year and said his YAC – yards after the catch – must improve.

Running Backs

With leading running back Aidan Robbins transferring to BYU, senior Courtney Reese returns. Reese averaged 7.3 yards per carry last year and ran four 370 yards.

At 5’8 165 pounds, he is unlikely to be the every down back. The Rebels hit the transfer portal and brought in junior Donavyn Lester from William & Mary and senior Vincent Davis from Pittsburgh.

 Last year Lester ran for 533 yards and eight touchdowns, while Davis rushed for 274 yards and one touchdown. We will probably see a running back by committee in Las Vegas this year.

If Brumfield can remain healthy, the UNLV offense could be fun to watch because they have talent on offense. It just will take time to come together, but if it clicks, the fast pace could be killer to opposing defense.

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