New FSM Preview: UNLV vs Air Force - Week 7

Photo Credit: TQ/Franchise Sports Media

New FSM Preview: UNLV vs Air Force – Week 7

UNLV Rebels (4-2) | Air Force Falcons (4-2)

Riddled with injuries, UNLV will look to defeat the Air Force Falcons in a massive meeting within the Mountain West, and the Rebels have not beaten the Falcons since 2013.

UNLV vs Air Force — *Photo Credit: Kyla LaCoste/Franchise Sports Media*

UNLV is still a vastly improved team compared to the previous two seasons. Yet the 40-7 loss to San Jose State last Friday night generated more issues than just the loss itself. Not only was UNLV dominated, they saw star sophomore quarterback Doug Brumfield go down with a lower-body injury.

UNLV was already without wide receivers Kyle Williams and Jeff Weimer, who remain day-to-day. But now, considering all the success the Rebels have had with Brumfield, it is going to be a very tough challenge to adjust and move forward into Saturday’s game against Air Force without him.

Cameron Friel came in relief of Brumfield and will be the starter for the Rebels on Saturday. Friel was 15 for 22 passing, for 153-yards with a touchdown and no interceptions in the loss to San Jose State. Friel has started eight games for the Rebels and was the Mountain West freshman of the year in 2021.

There is no negating that Friel has serious talent and that the coaching staff feels comfortable with him at the helm. The challenge from within will be how well can Marcus Arroyo’s offensive prophecy transfer back into the Friel play sheet rather than the Brumfield packages that have been rolled out for the past several weeks.

Air Force stunned after an upset loss to Utah State

The Utah State Aggies are rightfully the defending Mountain West champions. Although they have not looked like it this season, UNLV defeated the Aggies back in week three, 34-24. Air Force, a serious contender the last two seasons, was stunned in a loss to the Aggies 34-27.

Heading into Las Vegas with a 4-2 record, the Falcons have a bad taste in their mouth after losing to a team they should have beaten. Air Force’s Brad Roberts was electric on the ground with 136-yards rushing and a touchdown. It was defensive lapses that found the Falcons playing too much from behind.

The 27 points allowed on Saturday night was the most that the Falcons have allowed all season long. Coming into this match-up with UNLV, the Falcons have the second-ranked defense within the conference.

Offensively, Air Force ranks second in total offense, right behind UNLV. The Falcons’ triple-option run game has been proven to give defensive fits and will be on display in this game. It is something UNLV’s sixth-ranked defense will have to deal with again in back-to-back weeks as San Jose State got their option game working early.

All in all, Air Force is coming off an uncharacteristic loss for the way they’ve gone about their business this season. The same can be said for UNLV.

UNLV has to fix the slow starts.

“We need to bring more energy when it comes to these types of games,” said defensive back Nohl Williams. UNLV trailed by 23 at the half against San Jose State and 17 the week before against New Mexico. It is safe to say this trend needs to end on Saturday if they’re looking to move to a 5-2 record.

Aiden Robbins, the Mountain West’s second-leading rusher behind Air Force’s Brad Roberts, was held to only 55-yards rushing on Friday night and was not the performance fans have come to see out of the Louisville transfer.

“Nothing changes, come back in and get right back to work and stick to my preparation,” said Robbins. With some key offensive weapons not being 100% healthy, this may be a bounce-back game for Robbins as he embodies the perfect style of back to lean on in a game that will be decided through the trenches.

These two squads are #1 and #2 rushing in the entire conference. Both rushing attacks will be on display, and this game will be a classic Mountain West showdown that will be won within by potentially leaning on those solid rushing attacks.