New FSM Recap: UNLV vs San Diego State - Week 10

Video Credit: Mountain West Network

New FSM Recap: UNLV vs San Diego State – Week 10

UNLV Rebels (4-5) | San Diego State Aztecs (5-4)

UNLV can’t get out of their own way in a sloppy loss to San Diego State 14-10.

UNLV vs San Diego State — *Photo Credit: TQ/Franchise Sports Media*

UNLV played in a hideously ugly game against San Diego State. Yet only trailed 7-0 heading into halftime. Both sides could not seem to move the ball up the field in the first 15 minutes of action. The first half saw a lot of punting and three turnovers between the two teams.

The opening kick-off was fumbled but recovered by the Rebels, although this felt like some foreshadowing to some more carelessness with the ball. Doug Brumfield would struggle to hold onto a bad snap, and later Ricky White would have the rock punched out at the last second before his knee hit the ground.

Luckily this did not turn into very many points against the Rebels, as San Diego State also failed to move the ball on a stout defensive front. What could have been a 14-point lead was held to seven due to a holding call on an Aztec rushing touchdown.

San Diego State would make up for it on a Jesse Matthews catch and run for a score. Those were the only points of the half.

UNLV fights for life in a lifeless game.

To open the second half, San Diego State connected on a wide-open touchdown pass to Mark Redman to take their lead to 14-0. In what was a very lifeless offense, Brumfield began to create plays with his feet to keep drives alive and would toss up a 70-yard touchdown to Nick Williams to give the Rebels some hope.

Unfortunately, UNLV could not find any fluidity within their offense. To start the fourth quarter, Brumfield tried to thread the needle in a double-covered window that would result in his second interception of the game, both in the red zone. In response, San Diego State would be forced to punt and have it disrupted to give the Rebels the ball back in the red zone to be held to a field goal.

After more punts being traded back and forth, the final offensive drive of the game for San Diego State proved to be their best of the day. The Aztecs drive down the field, controlling the clock and the scoreboard, ultimately gaining the final first down and killing the clock to hold onto the win.

UNLV’s defense was the lone bright spot in a miserable outing.

UNLV’s defense generated six total sacks in this loss to San Diego State. The defensive efforts gave the Rebels plenty of chances to win this ball game, yet the offense had struggled mightily.

Now sitting at a 4-5 record, UNLV will look to build off this defensive showing and find some momentum into a Friday night game at home with Fresno State. UNLV’s season has now changed drastically since their hot start. At this rate, UNLV may be out of Mountain West contention, and this loss will feel like one of the uglier ones of the season.