The FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs Hawaii - Week 8

The FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs. Hawaii – Week 8

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Week 8 – UNLV (0-6)  |  Hawaii (4-4)

 

UNLV falls to Hawaii, ending their season without a win.

 

The Rebels finish the first season under new Head Coach Marcus Arroyo with a record of 0-6 after a 38-21 loss to Hawaii on Saturday night. It is only the second time UNLV football has gone winless in the school’s Division I history, with the 1998 team being the other. The Rebels had trouble stopping the run once again in this game, which has been a storyline all season. Although they had trouble stopping the run, Charles Williams, who moved into fourth all-time on the UNLV rushing list, had the best game of his season, running for over 148 yards and two touchdowns. The Rebels end the season disappointed but with many things to be proud of and look forward to next season.

 

 

The Rebels offense kept them in the game, however, the defense struggled to contain the rushing attack for Hawaii.

 

The game kicked off with UNLV knowing they were going to need to score to stay in this game. They started the game with 3 consecutive drives ending in a punt followed by a turnover on downs. Doug Brumfield came in the game at quarterback for the Rebels in their fourth series but was eventually replaced by the senior Max Gilliam, who started every game of the season after Brumfield went down with an injury.

 

It only took them two plays on their first drive of the game to score a touchdown for Hawaii. Quarterback  Chevan Cordeiro ran for a 54-yard touchdown. It was one of three rushing touchdowns for the Rainbow Warriors in the first half. They also had 160 rushing yards in the first half. The rush defense for UNLV has been their Achilles heal all season long. The Cordeiro rushing touchdown was followed by rushing touchdowns from Dae Dae Hunter and Calvin Turner. UNLV had fumbles on back to back possessions from Doug Brumfield and Charles Williams that led to them facing a 21-0 deficit.

Before halftime, Max Gilliam led UNLV down the field in under a minute, capping it off with a 19-yard touchdown pass to freshman star Kyle Williams. UNLV then only trailed 21-7 at the break. The second half started with both teams scoring on their first possessions. Hawaii went down the field and scored on yet another rushing touchdown, this time by Koali Nishigaya. UNLV answered with a Charles Williams rushing touchdown, his 3^rd of his final season wearing the Scarlette and Gray. Chevan Cordeiro added another rushing touchdown giving the Rainbow Warriors a 35-14 lead.

This game turned into what was expected from a lot of people. That being a shootout. Charles Williams wrapped up the 3^rd quarter with a 49-yard touchdown run. The game went on to end with a final score of 38-21 in favor of Hawaii. Charles Williams had the best game of his season in his final game, rushing for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns. Max Gilliam threw for 187 yards with a touchdown and interception. Kyle Williams finishes off a fantastic freshman year with 10 catches for 144 yards and a touchdown.

On the defensive side of the ball, freshman corner Nohl Williams had an interception off Chevan Cordeiro. Williams went high up the ladder to record his first career collegiate interception. Adam Plant Jr. had another nice game adding a sack-tieing him for the team lead with Jacoby Windmon with 4.5. Walk-on cornerback Davone Walden Jr. made some noise as well. The freshman from Centennial High School in Las Vegas had a big hit on special teams, causing a fumble and a nice pass break-up. The Rebels may have found a player in Walden Jr.

 

It is not the way some seniors wanted to end their careers at UNLV, however, they will cherish the moments.

 

Players such as Charles Williams, Chato Garcia, Jaron Caldwell, and Max Gilliam will be disappointed in the way their senior years went but had great careers in Las Vegas. It remains to be seen if Williams will return to UNLV. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA has allowed seniors to return for another season at their school, so Rebels fans will be waiting to hear what Williams will do. It is a new beginning and a new culture for the Rebels under Head Coach Marcus Arroyo. It didn’t end in the results fans and players wanted, but something is being built under Arroyo that everyone in and outside the organization should be excited about.

 

 

UNLV ends their season with a record of 0-6 and will now shift their focus towards the offseason. Early National Siging Day is Wednesday December 16th and UNLV is looking to finish with the Mountain West Conference’s top class. They are currently rated .1 behind SDSU for the top spot.

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