Tag: UNLV

UNLV vs. Colorado State: Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

The UNLV Rebels head to Fort Collins to face the Colorado State Rams in Mountain West play. Here’s what to look for in this matchup.

UNLV vs. Colorado State: Preview, How to Watch, Odds, Prediction

The Rams and Rebels face off for momentum

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Can the Rams open conference play strong?

WHO: UNLV Rebels (9-7, 2-2 Mountain West) vs. Colorado State Rams (14-3, 2-2 Mountain West)

WHEN: Friday, January 19th — 8:30 p.m. MST / 7:30 p.m. PST

WHERE: Moby Arena; Fort Collins, CO (8,083)

TV: Fox Sports 1 (Stream FS1 on Fubo and click the link here for a free trial)

SERIES RECORD: This will be the 65th all time matchup between the two schools. UNLV leads the all-time series 43-21

LAST MEETING: UNLV won 83-71 in Fort Collins last year

ODDS: Colorado State -7.5

It’s hard to call this early of a matchup a must win, but it feels like a must win for both teams. Colorado State needs to get back into their early season groove. And UNLV needs to continue riding their momentum if they want to make it to the NCAA Tournament.

CSU is hosting their annual Orange Out game coming off a double digit comeback win over Air Force. UNLV is heading to Fort Collins coming off a four point road win over Boise State. Both KenPom and the NET rankings have a similar distance between these two schools, but in conference play anything can happen.

Players to Watch

G Dedan Thomas Jr – UNLV

The Rebels floor general who seems like an even keeled player. Never too up and never too down. Even when Dedan is having a down game, he’s helping in other areas. Incredible vision on the court for the freshman and his teammates surely appreciate it.

F Joel Scott – Colorado State

The big man down low for the Rams. Joel Scott is another D2 transfer for the Rams who is playing a big part. He has a tendency to disappear at times and the Rams need him to step up tonight to keep the lengthy Rebels in check. Scott has shown he can play at a high level and the Rams need him to play like that tonight.

Keys to the Game

UNLV

Play physical basketball is the main key for the Rebels. The Rams have a tendency to play soft and forcing their hand can yield results. The Rebels also need to take advantage of the CSU misplays. CSU throws an unnecessary amount of skip passes and all UNLV has to do is pay attention and they can jump the pass.

On offense, keep the Rams switching. They’ll get tired and eventually miss a switch or recover too late. Getting down low needs to play a big part of the plan for UNLV. The Rams aren’t that big and if you can back them down, lay ups and passouts for open threes will be there.

Colorado State

Play your game. That’s what the Rams need to do tonight. They can’t let UNLV dictate the pace or action of the game. Take over the game and force the Rebels to play to you. CSU has a tendency to let the other team dictate how the game goes, but the Rams need to force it tonight.

The bench, other than Joe Palmer, needs to step up. Palmer gets his off the bench and he needs someone else to join him. If the Rams bench can take a little pressure of the starters, CSU is going to have a smooth day.

Predictions

This is a matchup of two similar teams. They have very similar stats. And the only real difference is the overall records. Basketball is a game of runs and both teams will go on big runs tonight. The back and forth battle will go the full 40 minutes before the Rams take it in the end.

Final Score: Colorado State 87, UNLV 81

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Bishop leaving Arkansas football to reunite with Odom in Vegas

LaDarrius Bishop is the latest former Arkansas defensive back to decide on UNLV for 2024.

LaDarrius Bishop was looking for a change of scenery, and decided to settle on Sin City.

The Ashdown native, who played under Barry Odom for three seasons before Odom took the UNLV head coaching job, will be joining the Rebels for the 2024 season, it was announced Wednesday.

Bishop is a part of a small nucleus of former Arkansas defensive backs who have elected to rejoin Odom in the desert after he won 9 games in 2023 and made it to the Mountain West Championship game before losing to Boise State and then losing to Kansas in a bowl game.

Malik Chavis and Jalen Catalon have both made their intentions to transfer to UNLV as well.

In 2023, Bishop only saw snaps primarily on special teams after battling injuries for much of 2022.

He only has the one year of eligibility left that was awarded to him because of being on the Razorbacks during the 2020 COVID campaign.

UNLV Rebels Fell to Boise State 44-20 in Mountain West Championship

The UNLV Rebels hosted the Boise State Broncos in the Mountain West Conference Championship

The UNLV Rebels hosted the Boise State Broncos in the Mountain West Conference Championship. There were 31,473 fans in attendance, but that did not matter to the Broncos as they beat the Rebels 44-20.

The early part of the game was a back-and-forth, and both teams scored 14 points in the first quarter. UNLV’s touchdowns came on a five-yard rush from Vincent Davis Jr. and then a thrilling 47-yard interception return by linebacker Fred Thompkins to even things up.

However, Boise State converted two Rebel turnovers into 10 points en route to taking a 31-17 halftime lead, limiting the hosts to three points after the break, and never looking back after that, outscoring UNLV 13-3 in the second half.

Unable to Stop the Run

The Rebels’ run defense could not stop the Broncos rushing attack, as they rushed for 301 yards. Ashton Jeanty led Boise State with 153 yards on 21 carries and a touchdown. George Holani added 76 yards, along with quarterback Taylen Green rushing for 90 yards and two touchdowns. One of Green’s touchdowns was a 70-yard run. It is hard to win games, giving up 301 rushing yards and 5.9 yards per carry.

Turnovers

Rebels quarterback Jayden Maiava had a tough day at the office, turning the ball over three times (two interceptions and a loss fumble). He passed for 166 yards but threw no touchdowns.

Unable to Run the Ball

It was a tough day for the Rebels as the Broncos took away their rushing attack. UNLV rushed for 81 yards on 28 rush attempts, which is suitable for 2.9 yards per carry. Vincent Davis Jr. led the team in rushing with 55 yards and a touchdown.

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Ultimately, the Broncos had an old-school football mentality: run the ball and stop the run, and they executed it well. They also had efficient quarterback play, while Green only threw 15 times; he did complete 12 of those attempts. Green also threw two touchdown passes.

Mountain West Wire Game of the Week Simulation: UNLV at Air Force

Mountain West Wire Game of the Week Simulation: UNLV at Air Force The NCAA 14 Video Game Predicts Air Force over UNLV 16-13 Contact/Follow @PSeanU1 & @MWCwire For those new to our simulations, we use the College Football Revamped version of EA …

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Mountain West Wire Game of the Week Simulation: UNLV at Air Force

The NCAA 14 Video Game Predicts Air Force over UNLV 16-13

Contact/Follow @PSeanU1 & @MWCwire

For those new to our simulations, we use the College Football Revamped version of EA Sports NCAA14, with updated 2024 rosters. There is no user impact, just a computer simulation of the given teams.

Last week our simulation favored Wyoming over UNLV by a score of 31-14. As you should know by now, things certainly didn’t play out that way on the field, as the Rebels nearly flipped that score, hammering the Pokes 34-14.

This weeks featured game reflects the matchup with the most consequence in the Mountain West Conference in week 12, as UNLV visits Colorado Springs, to play Air Force.

Contrary to reality of late, our simulation favored the Falcons, beating UNLV 16-13. The only thing as surprising as the score favoring Air Force would be the statistics behind it. The Reb’s held Air Force under 100 yards rushing for the game, while grinding out for 119 on the ground of their own. The thing more surprising here was Jensen Jones throwing for over 200 yards.

Keeping with the theme of turnovers, the Falcons couldn’t catch a break even in the sim as they coughed the ball up twice. Despite winning the turnover battle 2-0 and holding the Falcons to just over 90 yards rushing, UNLV still couldn’t win this game. The most notable reason would have to be the opposing defense.

I don’t know if this will be reflective of the result or even close on the scoreboard for Saturday’s game, but you have to believe with those stat lines we are going to be looking at a pretty emphatic victory for the Rebels.

When these two teams meet on the field Saturday, the likelihood of a spot in the Mountain West Championship game is at stake. Hopefully we have as competitive game as our simulation suggests.

If you have a strong opinion on who should be our featured simulation next week, let us hear about it @MWCwire. 

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Air Force vs. UNLV: How the Falcons can beat UNLV

Air Force vs. UNLV: How the Falcons can beat UNLV The Rebels are Coming to the Springs Full of Confidence Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire Can the Falcons regain form against UNLV with a spot in the Conference Championship on the line? WEEK 12: Air …

Air Force vs. UNLV: How the Falcons can beat UNLV

The Rebels are Coming to the Springs Full of Confidence

Contact/Follow @Sean or @MWCWire

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Can the Falcons regain form against UNLV with a spot in the Conference Championship on the line?

WEEK 12: Air Force Falcons 8-2 (5-1) vs. University of Nevada Las Vegas Rebels 8-2 (5-1)

WHEN: Saturday, November 18th — 1:30 P.M. MT/ 12:30 P.M. PT

WHERE: Falcon Stadium (Colorado Springs, CO)

WEATHER: Sunshine and some clouds. High 62F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.

TV: CBS Sports Network
Carter Blackburn (play-by-play), Randy Cross (analyst)

RADIO: KVOR AM 740 in Colorado Springs, 104.3 the Fan in Denver, SIRIUS XM 380, SXM 970
Jim Arthur (play-by-play), Jesse Kurtz (analyst)

SERIES RECORD: Air Force leads the series record 17-6

WEBSITES: UNLVRebels.com, the official UNLV athletics website | GoAirForceFalcons.com, the official Air Force athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): UNLV | Air Force

SP+ PROJECTION: Air Force by 7.2

FEI PROJECTION: Air Force by 4.1

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTIONS: Air Force has a 79.31% win probability (31.96- 21.13)

It’s hard to believe we have arrived at Senior night already, as many Falcon players will take the field in front of their home crowd for the last time in their careers on Saturday. And what a special senior class this is, winning 31 games against just 11 losses in their tenure to date. The stakes for this team could not be any higher in their final game at Falcon Stadium in 2023.

Despite two absolute clunkers in as many weeks against Hawai’i and Army, the Falcons are still in the driver’s seat for a place in the Mountain West Conference Championship game in December thanks to their historic 8-0 start to the season. Though much has changed since those first eight games.

The Air Force list of injuries (should they “officially” share it) would be very lengthy. In fact, half of its’ starting roster would have been impacted by injury at this point, really testing their depth and mettle. Noone is going to feel sorry for the Falcons though, especially not the UNLV Rebels who are trying to put together a historic season of their own.

These are not your Rebels of old. Barry Odom has done a fantastic job turning what’s been a basement dweller into a Bonafide Conference Contender in his first season. Troy Calhoun on the other hand is trying to rally his team, injury ravaged as it is, and capture their first Conference Championship.

A third loss in a row would significantly complicate those aspirations for the Falcons. If they want to keep those hopes alive, they need to play much better in every aspect of the game against one of, if not the top team in the Conference.

HERE’S HOW AIR FORCE CAN BEAT UNLV

While it’s Air Force that usually imposes their will with a dominant ground attack, it’s the Rebels who are featuring a deep rushing attack of their own with Vincent Davis, Ja’Den Thomas, and Donavyn Lester all amassing more than 400 yards on the ground this year. The quarterback is also very much a threat on the ground, they need to account for Jayden Maiava too. As a team, they are averaging just under 200 yards per game on the ground.

The Falcons are going to need to keep that ground game in check if they want to win this game. If they aren’t able to mitigate damage on the ground, it could open up a host of problems as arguably the most dangerous player in the Conference, Ricky White looms on the outside.

Despite injuries to the defensive line and linebacker (spur), they still have the personnel to do it; especially between that core of Alec Mock, Jonathan Youngblood and Peyton Zdroik. These guys are going to be key in trying to keep UNLV unbalanced on offense.

Speaking of the run game, Air Force finds themselves in unfamiliar territory, no longer being the nation’s leading rush offense, as that belongs to Liberty. It’s no coincidence as the offense has been stuck in neutral for the past two weeks. Much of their drop off in production has to be attributed to their recent loose handling of the football.

Ten turnovers in their last two outings made for irrecoverable damage to their gameplan. They have put the ball on the ground 17 times this season, recovering seven of them. Their first interception of the year didn’t come until the week 10 game against Army. Between Zac Larrier, Jensen Jones and Ben Brittain, they’ve thrown four since then. That rate of turnover is not Falcon football, and it is certainly not winning football.

So, while injuries certainly have created some adversity, they’ve not been responsible for 10 turnovers in two games. Everyone is dealing with some level of attrition at this part of the season. Due to the rigors placed on these Cadet-Athletes, I would say Air Force is to anticipate such challenges more than most at this juncture. Whoever’s called upon to contribute Saturday, has to protect the football. It has got to be a point of emphasis if they want to beat a really good opponent.

The final area that really needs to find its way again is the kicking game. Specifically, Matthew Dapore and the field goal unit. Dapore has showed the potential of an All-Conference kicker but over the past few weeks has struggled with consistency. In a game where points are going to be critical and the margin for error minimal, they need that steady leg variety of Dapore back.

There are a lot of questions at key positions this week, especially on offense. One thing we know, next man up is not just a fashionable statement in Colorado Springs. This team has proven they can win with it at the core of their DNA.

Injuries or not, that 8-0 team is in the Air Force locker room. The past two weeks have been ugly, but those two performances constitute not the 2023 Air Force Falcons. This is still a very dangerous team that is more than capable of winning a Conference Championship if and when they get back to their game. Their game is meticulous to the details, stifling defense, and a relentless rushing attack that keeps the ball from you, not the other way around. That team has Air Force on the brink of a Conference Championship, despite what happened the previous two weeks.

After losing despite being 20+ point favorites, this week’s line looks right. UNLV is not going to like playing at altitude.

Air Force 24 –  UNLV 21

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Wyoming Cowboys vs. UNLV Rebels: How the Cowboys will win

A face-off between two bowl-eligible teams in a premiere Mountain West matchup between Wyoming and UNLV. How do the Cowboys win?

Wyoming Cowboys vs. UNLV Rebels: How the Cowboys will win

A face-off between two bowl-eligible teams in a premiere Mountain West matchup between the Wyoming Cowboys and the UNLV Rebels.

Contact/Follow @KayceeClark and @MWCwire

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WEEK 11: Wyoming Cowboys (6-3, 3-2 MW) vs. UNLV Rebels (7-2, 4-1 MW)

WHEN: Friday, November 10 — 6:45 PM PT

WHERE: Allegiant Stadium (65,000)

TV: FS1

STREAMING: Get a free trial with FuboTV

RADIO: Cowboy Sports Network

SERIES RECORD: Wyoming 14-11

LAST MATCHUP: Wyoming won 45-14 on Nov. 27, 2020 in Las Vegas

WEBSITES: GoWyo.com, the official Wyoming athletics website; UNLVRebels.com, the official UNLV athletics website.

GAME NOTES: Wyoming | UNLV

ODDS: UNLV -5.5

OVER/UNDER: 50.5 points

Of the 25 games between the Wyoming Cowboys (6-3, 3-2 MW) and the UNLV Rebels (7-2, 4-1 MW), 14 were decided by one possession, and nine of those came in the Sin City. The Rebels have a slight advantage in those nine games, winning five of them over the Pokes, most recently in the triple overtime bout in 2016.

Both squads have overcome expectations for the season, as Wyoming was projected to finish sixth in the conference, and UNLV was projected ninth. However, the Rebels are now in their first bowl-eligible season in the past decade.

“Our opponent is playing, I think, maybe the best in the Mountain West right now,” Wyoming head coach Craig Bohl said in his weekly press conference.

Led by a heavy rushing attack, totaling 28 touchdowns, and an explosive wide receiver on the Biletnikoff watchlist, the Rebels are having one of their best seasons in recent memory. It is the first time UNLV has won seven of their first nine games since 1984, when the team’s quarterback was Randall Cunningham.

The Rebels’ Ricky White is closing in on 1,000 yards for the season, currently sitting at 884 with six touchdowns. Additionally, the trio of Vincent Davis Jr., Jai’Den Thomas and Donavyn Lester combined for 1,293 rushing yards.

UNLV also dominated in their game last weekend against New Mexico, 56-14. With three rushing touchdowns in the second quarter and a 28-point lead by halftime, the Rebels secured their seventh victory.

On the other sideline, it has been a tale of two stories for the Cowboys, as the team is 6-0 at home but 0-3 when traveling. While facing one of the top teams of the Mountain West, the Pokes are 2-2 in games this season against teams with a winning record.

A bright side of Wyoming’s play has been transfer running back Harrison Waylee, who has rushed for 686 yards this season in only six games. Quarterback Andrew Peasley has also found himself in the best season of his collegiate career. He has thrown for 1,195 yards and 15 touchdowns, with only four interceptions.

The Pokes’ defense has been another key to their success. From the numbers, it would look like Wyoming is a losing team. They allow more points than they score and give up 375 yards of offense a game, but one reason they have totaled six wins is a top turnover-forcing team in the country. Wyoming has snagged seven interceptions and forced nine fumbles, leading to a +8-turnover margin, tied for 10th best in the country.

 

Last week, Wyoming overcame Colorado State’s effort to win the Bronze Boot, 24-15.

As underdogs, Wyoming will have to overcome the odds, play its hand and ensure it doesn’t fall to the house.

Wyoming will win if…

As with any game, winning the turnover battle is extremely helpful for a victory. However, as Wyoming is tied for 10th in the country for its turnover margin, UNLV is tied for sixth with +9. The Rebels have contributed 19 turnovers this season and haven’t had a game without forcing one.

The Cowboys won the turnover battle in six games, including losses at Air Force and Boise State. Against the Rams last Friday, Wyoming forced three turnovers, including a 61-yard scoop and dash for defensive end Tyce Westland and the linebacker duo of Easton Gibbs and Shae Suiaunoa snatching the ball out of the air.

The only conference loss UNLV has suffered this season came to Fresno State, where the Rebels gave the ball away four times. But UNLV knows how to get the ball back as well as Jaxen Turner is tied for first in the Mountain West with four interceptions.

Between two teams that don’t dominate the margin of turnovers, Wyoming must force more than the Rebels, Peasley must maintain his efficiency and keep the ball away from the UNLV defenders, and the Cowboys must continue their trend of not fumbling the football. The last time a Wyoming fumble occurred was Sept. 30 against New Mexico.

Staying on the defensive side of the ball for Wyoming, the Go-Go offense that UNLV runs allows a re-introduction to the option play for the Cowboy defense. Wyoming got killed against the option offense of Air Force last month as the Falcons ran for 356 yards and three touchdowns.

Wyoming will get another crack at shutting down an offense that will operate out of the option. This season, the Pokes have been able to shut down the run in particular games, with only allowing 93 yards to Texas Tech, 90 to Portland State, 38 to Fresno State, and 51 to Colorado State. However, in addition to the Air Force game, Wyoming has given up 217 yards to Appalachian State, 225 to New Mexico, and 227 to Boise State.

Flipping to the Wyoming offense, the team must score early and often. In several games this season, the Cowboys have gotten solid leads in the first half but fallen short later in the game. While needing to finish out the game, scoring early and often puts pressure on the UNLV offense to match the Pokes. If UNLV is falling behind several scores, the team may abandon the rushing attack altogether, a plus for Wyoming.

 

To get a sizeable lead, the Cowboys must utilize Waylee. Wyoming’s leading rusher is one of the school’s impact players when healthy. He averages 93.4 yards per game on the ground, and when he rushes for 100 yards, which he has done four times this season, the Pokes are 3-1. Cut that down to at least 83 yards, and it becomes 4-1. When Waylee wins, Wyoming will win.

UNLV’s defense has held teams to only 125 yards rushing per game, which raises a problem for Wyoming. Although, UNLV has only played two teams who currently have a winning record, and both games were losses for the Rebels.

The combined record of UNLV’s opponents is 37-47. In contrast, Wyoming’s opponent’s records are 47-32. Specifically looking at this, Wyoming has had a tougher schedule thus far and only lost one game more than the Rebels. According to Sports Reference, Wyoming’s schedule is ranked 70th in the country compared to UNLV’s at 121st.

In what will be another close game in the series, Wyoming will prove to be the superior team and leave Sin City victorious.

Wyoming 34 – UNLV 30

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Mountain West Wire Game of the Week Simulation: UNLV vs. Wyoming

Mountain West Wire Game of the Week Simulation: UNLV vs. Wyoming The NCAA 14 Video Game Says Wyoming drops the Reb’s 31-14 Contact/Follow @PSeanU1 & @MWCwire For those new to our simulations, we use the College Football Revamped version of EA Sports …

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Mountain West Wire Game of the Week Simulation: UNLV vs. Wyoming

The NCAA 14 Video Game Says Wyoming drops the Reb’s 31-14

Contact/Follow @PSeanU1 & @MWCwire

For those new to our simulations, we use the College Football Revamped version of EA Sports NCAA14, with updated 2024 rosters. There is no user impact, just a computer simulation of the given teams.

Last week our simulation favored Fresno State of Boise State by a score of 21-20. While Saturday’s game played out to a different score on the field, the end result matched our sim for the first time over the past five weeks!

In this Friday’s matchup between UNLV and Wyoming, both teams are going to hope for better redzone results than were experienced in this weeks simulation. Despite scoring 31 points, Wyoming scored on just one of their five trips to the red zone. No better, UNLV scored twice on their seven trips inside the 20. The result was a 31-14 victory for the visiting Cowboys.

With no turnovers on either side and very comparable passing numbers, the final score is a little headscratching. While Andrew Peasley had a solid game throwing the ball, Harrison Waylee was the real difference maker, accruing over 100 yards on the ground for the Pokes. The Reb’s weren’t able to must 70 on the ground as a team.

The biggest difference was in special teams, and that was despite just one field goal attempt all game. Punt returns and field position are what really helped propel Wyoming in this one.

These are two good Mountain West teams meeting on Friday night. Let’s see if the outcome on the field resembles the simulation this week!

If you have a strong opinion on who should be our featured simulation next week, let us hear about it @MWCwire. 

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Colorado State vs UNLV: Why The Rams Can Win, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams head to Las Vegas to face UNLV. The Rams have a chance to get above .500 both overall and in conference. Here’s how they can do so.

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Colorado State vs UNLV: Why The Rams Can Win, How to Watch, Odds, Predicition

The Rams head to Vegas to face the Rebels

Contact/Follow @J0shFr3d & @MWCwire

Can the Rams get above .500?

WEEK 8: Colorado State Rams (3-3, 1-1 MW) vs. UNLV Rebels (5-1, 2-0 MW)

WHEN: Saturday, October 21st — 5:00 p.m. MST / 4:00 p.m. PST

WHERE: Allegiant Stadium; Las Vegas, NV (65,000)

WEATHER: Clear Sky, high of 79 degrees

TV: MW Network

RADIO: K99-FM 99.1 / ESPN 1600 AM (Colorado)

SERIES RECORD: This will be the 25th matchup between these two schools. Colorado State leads the series 17-6-1.

LAST MEETING: Colorado State won 37-17 in Fort Collins in the last matchup in 2019.

WEBSITES: CSURams.com, the official Colorado State athletics website | UNLVRebels.com, the official UNLV athletics website

GAME NOTES (PDF): Colorado State | UNLV

ODDS: UNLV -7.5

OVER/UNDER: 61.5

SP+ PROJECTION: UNLV by 8.9

FEI PROJECTION: UNLV by 8.1

PARKER FLEMING PROJECTION: UNLV 71.13% win probability (41.86 to 33.51)

Colorado State heads to Las Vegas, Nevada to face the UNLV Rebels. CSU is coming off a last second, walk off, hail mary win over Boise State for their first ever victory over the Broncos.

UNLV is led by Barry Odom in his first season in charge. Jayden Maiava has taken over the starting QB role for the Rebels. UNLV has a trio of running backs over 250 yards led by true freshman Jai’Den Thomas. Ricky White is the Rebels leading receiver. The UNLV defense is led by LB Jackson Woodard and DB Jerrae Williams.

Now onto some keys to victory for the Rams.

Three Keys to a colorado state victory

1. Open the Playbook Early

The Rams were horrendous against Boise State in the first half before finally opening up the playbook in the second half. They were taking what the Broncos were giving them at first, but it wasn’t working. This Rams team has made good second half adjustments, but against the Rebels they have to start fast and finish strong.

Action Network’s Brett McMurphy reported that CSU players were “drawing plays in the dirt.” Whether it’s stuff the players come up with or stuff the staff can game plan, the Rams have to go full throttle from the beginning in order to get to a bowl game for the first time since 2017.

2. Complete 60 minute game

This Colorado State squad has not played a full 60 minute game all year. From the egg laid against Wazzu, to the last second meltdown against CU, to the hail mary against Boise State. Every single game, the Rams have had a lull period and it has to stop here.

The Rams have a chance to make a statement and they need to do so here. Everybody on both sides of the ball needs to step up and do their job. No freelancing, everyone trusts the guy next to them to do their job, and you forget let down plays quickly and move on.

3. Defense needs to step up

The Rams are bottom five in yards allowed per game. They are bottom 15 in points allowed per game. They are tied for 10th in total sacks. And they are tied for 4th in turnovers forced. Those stats shouldn’t go together. And it’s part of the reason CSU is where they are currently.

This team has talent. Mohamed Kamara and Jack Howell namely, but they’ve also gotten contributions all over the field. Now, they need to put it together; especially against one of the more balanced offenses they will face all years. If the Rams aren’t careful, the Rebels could run all over the defense.

what will happen

It’s going to be a shootout in Las Vegas this weekend. The Rams can’t stop anybody and the Rebels can’t stop anybody through the air. It’s a points banaza waiting to happen. Since you’re in Vegas, go ahead and take the over since I can’t see it not hitting.

Final Score: Colorado State 42, UNLV 38

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Nevada Football: Wolf Pack Fall To UNLV, Loses 16th Straight Game

Nevada Football: Wolf Pack Fall To UNLV, Loses 16th Straight Game Nevada suffers worse defeat by UNLV since 2004 in 45-27 loss to Rebels in the Battle for the Fremont Cannon Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire Nevada Takes Their 16th Straight …

Nevada Football: Wolf Pack Fall To UNLV, Loses 16th Straight Game

Nevada suffers worse defeat by UNLV since 2004 in 45-27 loss to Rebels in the Battle for the Fremont Cannon

Contact/Follow @BrandonGBlake & @MWCwire

Nevada Takes Their 16th Straight Loss in a 45-27 Contest to UNLV

 

Stop reading this article if you have read this statement before:

 

The Nevada Wolf Pack lost another football game. 

I was kidding about the stop reading this article part. I hope you read and enjoy this article about the Wolf Pack’s most recent contest which was another loss.

The Nevada Wolf Pack played their rivals, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on Saturday in Reno. It was the 49th meeting between the Wolf Pack and the Rebels as the play for college football’s most awesome trophy: The Fremont Cannon.

The results for Nevada Football were similar to the previous 15 contests: The Wolf Pack ended the game with a loss. 

The Wolf Pack lost their 16th straight game to their bitter rivals to the south 45-27 and for one more year, the Fremont Cannon will remain red.

It was another game where inconsistencies, penalties and costly turnovers were the order of the day for Nevada football. Nevada QB Brendon Lewis had his best game statistically as he threw for 287 yards and two touchdown passes and ran for 115 yards and a score. Despite a strong performance from Lewis, he did throw two interceptions and his play was not enough for Nevada to pull off the upset.

The Wolf Pack defense started off abysmal and could not get itself out of the hole they created. UNLV QB Jayden Maiava completed 19 of 24 passes for 259 yards (averaging 10.8 yards per completion) and threw for two touchdowns.  The Rebel offense racked up 518 yards of total offense as they blew past Nevada’s porous defense.

The action started early when after Nevada’s offense went three and out on their first offensive series UNLV’s offense scored quickly. On UNLV’s second play of their first possession  on offense Maiava connected with WR Ricky White (seven catches 166 yards , two touchdowns)  on a 59 yard touchdown pass to put the Rebels up 7-0.

The Wolf Pack offense did wake up on their third offensive possession when Lewis connected with WR Dalevon Campbell on a 43 yard touchdown pass to cut the Rebel lead to 14-7. That touchdown pass was Lewis’s first TD pass this season. 

Goes to show how horrid Nevada’s pass offense has been when it takes six games for Brendon Lewis to get his first pass TD. 

Both teams exchanged punts to start the second quarter. When Nevada punted the ball back to UNLV, the Rebel offense only needed three plays to score when Donavyn Lester scored his second touchdown of the game on a 16 yard run to put UNLV up 21-7. 

Nevada got the ball back and moved the ball into position to score and cut into the Rebel lead. But on 3rd and goal at the UNLV seven yard line, Lewis threw a pass that was intercepted by UNLV’s Jackson Woodard.

That turnover proved costly for the Wolf Pack as the Rebels cashed in on that Nevada error. On 3rd and 11 at their own 18 yard line, Maiava connected with Ricky White again on an 82-yard touchdown pass to put the Rebels up 28-7 at the end of the first half. Early in the third quarter, UNLV scored again when Lester scored his third touchdown  on a 66 yard touchdown run to put the Rebels up 35-7.

That score by UNLV ended the competitive phase of the contest for Nevada. The Wolf Pack did score a few more times to keep the game from being a complete blow out. But it was not even close for Nevada to make the game competitive as the Rebels left Reno with a win and the Fremont Cannon. 

Coach Ken Wilson said after the UNLV game that “I have a team in that locker room that fights its ass off. We have to get them in better positions to win these games” Wilson also said that “We have to stop teams early to give our offense a chance. This thing can turn around real fast.”

My question for Coach Wilson is this; Your roster this season is better than the roster you inherited last season and this year’s team is WORSE. How is that going to get better?  

Coach Wilson’s background is supposedly defense and the defense has been terrible this season. Yes, Nevada has faced some very talented offenses but still, the defense should at least be able to contain some of these offenses. After six games, Nevada has been incapable of stopping a nosebleed let alone an opposing team’s offense. 

And on offense, it is no better for Nevada this season. The offense has moments when they can put up points but those moments are not consistent enough for Nevada to win. 

I have no good answers for what Nevada needs to do in order to snap this long losing streak. Changes will need to be made during the season and definitely after the season. 

We will see if Nevada can snap their losing streak next week against San Diego State. 

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UNLV gets commitment from top-5 PG in the class of 2024

His father also played at UNLV for three seasons in the early 90s.

Liberty (Nev.) four-star point guard Dedan Thomas Jr. announced his commitment to UNLV on Sunday afternoon. His father also played at UNLV for three seasons in the early 90s, totaling 540 points in 85 games.

12 other programs extended offers to Thomas, including favorites Arizona, Gonzaga, UCLA and Florida.

The scouting report on Thomas from On3 notes his confidence as well as his ability to find the right balance between aggressiveness and patience.

“Dedan Thomas is a confident, heady lead guard. He plays with an excellent pace, understanding when to push and when to pull back. Nothing is pressed with him, he’s smooth. The size is the question mark, both strength and height. He is a player you have confidence in with the ball in his hands. A solid athlete, more quick than bursty…”

On film Thomas looks like a nightmare to guard one-on-one, displaying superb ball-handling skills and a rare strong-left attack.

Going by the composite rankings, Thomas (6-foot-1, 170 pounds) is No. 4 at his position, first overall in Nevada and No. 31 nationally in his class.

Thomas is the first hard commitment for UNLV’s recruiting class of 2024.

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