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 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.
UNLV hosts the Air Force Falcons inside Allegiant stadium at 7:30 pm on Saturday and will be live on CBS Sports Network.
UNLV vs Air Force UNLV vs Air Force UNLV vs Air Force UNLV vs Air Force UNLV vs Air Force UNLV vs Air Force UNLV vs Air Force
– Brandon Steele – Franchise Sports Media
Follow Brandon on Twitter and IG @SteeleBomb17
Follow The Franchise on social media
December 3, 2023
FSM Recap: UNLV vs Boise State – 2023 Mountain West Conference Championship Game – Bonus Game Notes
FSM Recap: UNLV vs Boise State - 2023 Mountain West…
December 2, 2023
New FSM Preview: Mountain West Championship Game – UNLV vs Boise State – 2023 – Bonus Game Notes
New FSM Preview: Mountain West Championship Game - UNLV vs…
November 26, 2023
FSM Recap: UNLV Rebels vs San Jose State Spartans – Game 14 – 2023
UNLV Rebels vs San Jose State Spartans - Game 14 - 2023.…
November 25, 2023
New FSM Preview: UNLV vs San Jose State – Week 14 – 2023
New FSM Preview: UNLV vs San Jose State - Week 14 - 2023 by…
November 19, 2023
FSM Essential Recap – UNLV Rebels vs Air Force Falcons – Week 13 – 2023
FSM Essential Recap - UNLV Rebels vs Wyoming Cowboys - Week…
November 18, 2023
New FSM Preview: Week 13 – UNLV vs Air Force – 2023
New FSM Preview: Week 9 - UNLV vs Colorado St. - 2023 by…
November 11, 2023
FSM Essential Recap – UNLV Rebels vs Wyoming Cowboys – Week 12 – 2023
FSM Essential Recap - UNLV Rebels vs Wyoming Cowboys - Week…
November 5, 2023
FSM Essential Recap – UNLV Rebels vs New Mexico Lobos – Week 11 – 2023
FSM Essential Recap - UNLV Rebels vs New Mexico Lobos -…
October 29, 2023
FSM Essential Recap – UNLV Rebels vs Fresno State Bulldogs – Week 10 – 2023
FSM Essential Recap - UNLV Rebels vs Fresno State Bulldogs-…
October 22, 2023
FSM Essential Recap – UNLV Rebels vs Colorado State Rams – Week 9 – 2023
FSM Essential Recap - UNLV Rebels vs Colorado State Rams-…
October 21, 2023
New FSM Preview: Week 9 – UNLV vs Colorado St. – 2023
New FSM Preview: Week 9 - UNLV vs Colorado St. - 2023 by…
October 15, 2023
FSM Essential Recap – UNLV Rebels vs Reno Wolfpack- Week 8 -2023
FSM Essential Recap - UNLV Rebels vs Reno Wolfpack- Week 8…