New FSM Preview: UNLV vs Cal – Week 2
UNLV Rebels (1-0) | California Golden Bears (1-0)
The UNLV Rebels will travel to Berkley, California, to take on the Golden Bears for the first-ever meeting between the two teams. Even though these two teams have not played each other in the past, they’re plenty of connections between UNLV and this week’s Pac-12 opponent.
Four current members of this year’s UNLV staff have come from Cal, including head coach Marcus Arroyo. Arroyo was a passing coordinator for the Golden Bears from 2011-2012, assistant head coach Kenwick Thompson also worked with the Cal offense from 2007-2012, Keith Heyward, now defensive coordinator of the Rebels, spent time at Cal just last season along with colleague Michael Bruno.
Coach Arroyo spoke highly of the Cal coaching staff in his press conference on Monday afternoon. Saying that Cal “did a nice job and that we are going to be going up against a well-coached football team” in reference to Cal’s season-opening win over UC Davis 34-13.
Justin Wilcox is at the helm of the Cal Bears coaching staff, entering his sixth season with a record of 23-23, along with two bowl-game victories. Wilcox signed a contract extension that will have him on staff through 2027. It is safe to say the culture in Berkley has been built, and with these coaching connections, it is one of the top storylines of this first-ever match-up.
Doug Brumfield will look to build off of an impressive performance vs Idaho St.
It may be two weeks in the rearview but Rebels quarterback Doug Brumfield put together incredible numbers in the victory over Idaho St. Brumfield was 21 for 25 passing, for 356 yards, and four touchdowns at halftime in the season opener for the Rebels.
Brumfield is well aware of his successes in the opener but is poised to stay grounded and to be more patient going through his reads. Brumfield will be facing a Cal defense that only allowed 242 passing yards last weekend and forced two interceptions against UC Davis.
This is not the first time Brumfield will be in control of the offense in a Pac-12 environment. Last season, Brumfield appeared against the Arizona State Sun Devils, where he only went 6 for 14 with no touchdowns or interceptions.
With an entire camp and the impressive debut behind him now, Brumfield will be looking to build off of his previous performance against Pac-12 competition.
UNLV’s secondary VS California Quarterback Jack Plummer
The transfer portal was not lost on the Cal Golden Bears.
Whenever a team is able to bring in a new face at quarterback, heads are going to turn. Jack Plummer, a transfer from Purdue, made his Cal debut last weekend. Plummer, who admitted to starting off slow, was 23 for 35 with 268 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception.
Plummer in nine starts for Purdue, tossed seven touchdowns with no interceptions and with just under a thousand yards, sitting at 864 in the 2021 season. Plummer has shown he can read and beat some seriously talented secondaries.
UNLV will look to keep Plummer off platform and take away his outside weapons. The match-up between cornerback the Rebels‘ Nohl Williams and Cal’s Jeremiah Hunter will be on display Saturday.
Hunter reeled in six catches for 78 yards and a touchdown against UC Davis.
The stage is set, UNLV vs Cal, for the first time ever on Saturday, September 10th. Watch live on the Pac-12 Network Bay Area and follow the Franchise Sports Media on all social media platforms for all things UNLV Rebels.
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– Brandon Steele – Franchise Sports Media
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