Video Credit: Mountain West Conference

New FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs Hawai’i – Week 12

Franchise Sports Media

UNLV Rebels (4-7)  |  Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (3-9)

 

UNLV slips up for another loss as the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors win a wacky one in Honolulu, 31-25.

 

UNLV vs Hawaii
Photo Credit: TQ/Franchise Sports Media

UNLV season has been shelled for weeks now, but this loss may be a bit more frustrating than the previous five on this six-game losing streak. However, in a monsoon-filled game, the Rainbow Warriors embraced the chaos as they have all year long and found ways to make a conservatively talented defense of UNLV stay on the back foot.

An offense that had been stuck in neutral for the Bows saw their quarterback Brayden Schager make the smart reads and throw up a stat sheet of 16 for 27 with 202 yards and three touchdowns. With Schager protecting the pig, running back Dedrick Parsons totted the rock for 18 carries and 109 yards with a touchdown.

They were heading into this game, even with time travel and weather elements playing a factor. It had still felt like a game that the Rebels’ defense could impose their will on the Bows’, instead they ran into a Hawaii unit that may have put together one of their better wins of the season.

 

Second-half mistakes cost Rebels the Golden Pineapple.

 

UNLV vs Hawaii
Photo Credit: Kyla LaCoste/Franchise Sports Media

UNLV was not the high-paced and brutal defense that the conference has seen since, well, really, the month of September. And with that being said, they did not play a terrible first 30-minutes of the game, taking a 13-7 lead into halftime. However, it was the second half that really unraveled for the Rebels. 

The Rebels had some costly mistakes that cost them Golden Pineapple, and a failed fourth down conversion, a Doug Brumfield interception, and a bad snap on a field goal attempt had led to a couple of plays that UNLV would surely love to have back. Unfortunately, much like last season, this was a game where the Rebels had played well enough to win yet had some inconveniences destroy their opportunities to head back to Las Vegas with the Golden Pineapple.

The Brumfield and Aiden Robbins duo again influenced this game, as they combined for 127 yards rushing. Brumfield got things going in this game with Kyle Williams, as Williams had his first 100-yard game of the season with 111-yards off of five catches. Transfer Jeff Weimer scored his first touchdown as a Rebel early in the first half.

As for the defensive side of the ball, one of the most exciting plays came when Elijah Shelton recovered a fumble and returned it for a touchdown. This was the first fumble recovery for a touchdown for the Rebels since 2016.

 

Danny Boom

 

One of the least talked about players on this entire UNLV roster has been the kicker Daniel Gutierrez. Gutierrez has been automatic this season for the Rebels, going 14 for 14 on the season and in this game was perfect for nine points for UNLV. 

Gutierrez also tied for the most field goals in UNLV history after connecting on his fourth field goal of the game late in the fourth quarter. He also became the Rebels’ all-time leading scorer—quite an accomplishment for a former walk-on who is now one of the best kickers in the country.

 

UNLV will host UNR on Saturday for the season finale for the Fremont Cannon inside Allegiant Stadium. 

UNLV vs Hawai’i                     UNLV vs Hawai’i                       UNLV vs Hawai’i                       UNLV vs Hawai’i                       UNLV vs Hawai’i                     UNLV vs Hawai’i                                                                

Brandon Steele – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Brandon on Twitter and IG @SteeleBomb17

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