When I think about UNLV’s 2020 season, I beckon back to their week 5 matchup against Wyoming. On their second defensive play, a hole opened up large enough to make Moses proud. Wyoming’s Xazavian Valladay took the opportunity to run 78 yards to a touchdown whilst never seeing a defender close to him. That play represented a miserable season in an empty Allegiant stadium where UNLV would go to win zero games. That was a feat only accomplished one other time in team history during the 1998 season when they went 0-11 lead by Jeff Horton.
UNLV was aided early in their season opener against Eastern Washington by two missed field goals attempted by Seth Harrison. The first miss was from a long 48 yards while the second was a less understandable 36 yards. The second missed field goal came from a promising drive that was further threatened after UNLV committed a targeting penalty by Nohl Williams who was promptly ejected.
Going into the second quarter, UNLV offense did nothing to capitalize on the mistakes committed by their opponent. In fact, a fumble from Sophomore QB Justin Rodgers gave Eastern Washington the opportunity to finally get far enough down field to give them their first points of the game.
As the second quarter winded down, UNLV’s offense was supported by small bursts of runs by senior running back Charles Williams who last year claimed to be the best back in the Mountain West. At times, it was understandable to see why the 23 year old feels so confident in his abilities. Daniel Gutierrez booted a 49 yard field goal with 3:16 left to go in the first half that could have easily carried another 5 yards if needed.
With the game tied 3-3, I’ll admit I was quite impressed. This was a UNLV team that looked incompetent in every facet last season. As an alumni to the college, I was satisfied with a tie going into half time but the team’s momentum did not stop. Freshmen corner Cameron Oliver made a diving interception that helped give UNLV a starting field position deep in Easter Washington territory. That drive ended in a short field goal as time expired to give UNLV a halftime lead of 6-3.
The second half started on a rough note. A botched kick return and subsequent false start kept UNLV pinned in their own territory. After giving the ball up, Eastern Washington stormed down the field on a drive that ended in a sick touchdown following a spin move from WR Efton Chris III. That made the game 10-6.
Things would only get worse. UNLV failed to get a single first down on their first two drive which were only highlighted by horribly shanked punts.
The momentum of the first touchdown of the game seemed to open the flood gates. Eastern Washington moved quickly into UNLV territory on their second drive which was greatly aided by Sophomore DB Davone Walden Jr.’s unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after giving an opposing WR’s the cut throat signal at the end of a play.
UNLV’s defense was able to anchor down and keep Eastern Washington to a field goal making the game 6-13
Justin Rodgers was finally benched with roughly 7 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, paving the way for Doug Brumfield to make a name for himself. The team promptly punted after a 3 and out.
An exhausted UNLV defense gave up more chunks of yards on Eastern Washington’s third drive of the game in which RB Dennis Merritt rushed in for touchdown to extend their lead to 20-6.
UNLV got their first first down of the second half in emphatic fashion after Brumfield threw a 58 yard dart to Kyle Williams to get them immediately in the Red Zone. The drive quickly fell apart following a sack that pushed the team back to the 25 yard line. Before the next snap, the team took a delay of game penalty knocking them nearly out of field goal range. Gutierrez would not be deterred hitting a 47 yarder to make the game 9-20.
Things got even more exciting after UNLV’s defense produced another interception from Junior DB Phillip Hill. Brumfield seemed to really start to gain momentum at this point but the team’s receivers had 3 bad drops that stalled the drive. Gutierrez bailed them out once again with a booming 51 yard field goal to make the game 12-20.
Las Vegas’ momentum could not be denied, on the ensuing kickoff, they recovered a fumble and Charles Williams scored a touchdown the very next play. They converted the 2 point conversation and suddenly the game was tied 20-20.
Brumfield’s presence truly changed the dynamic of the game. In the first half, UNLV’s offense was uninspiring. Plays lacked depth and Rodgers never looked farther than a few yards down field for his completions. Brumfield was not afraid to keep his eyes up and looked to challenge Eastern Washington’s DB’s.
As good as he performed, an errant pass from the QB with about 3 minutes to go resulted in an interception that gave Eastern Washington a real opportunity to win the game. A series of penalties looked like the ball was going to go back to Vegas for a chance to redeem themselves. That feeling was quickly squandered after Eric Barriere threw a 46 yard rainbow to Andrew Boston to put them immediately in field goal range.
Seth Harrison’s struggles would give UNLV life once again after a shanked field goal attempt to send the game into overtime.
Las Vegas would not waste the chance to make up for their turnover and Charles Williams would continue is absolutely monstrous game with a 13 yard TD run to begin OT.
Eastern Washington evidently felt very little pressure scoring 2 touchdowns on the next two plays. A blitzed UNLV lost every ounce of momentum who looked to have complete control of the game going into overtime.
Brumfield would not be deterred willing Las Vegas on his own two feet. After shedding a sack to give his team a manageable 3 and short situation, he ran the ball 19 yards for the score. UNLV fell short on the 2 point conversation to end the exciting contest 33-35 in favor of Eastern Washington.
The biggest question anyone had in this game is how it took so long to put Brumfield in. While no one has in depth records of UNLV’s practices, I would imagine the Justin Rodgers was not a gun slinger in comparison to his counterpart. Besides what was happening off the field, Rodgers clearly was not going to be the QB to lead UNLV to victory tonight. The offense was night in day with Brumfield as the helm.
UNLV travels to Arizona State on September 11th for their second game of the season.