New FSM Essential Recap: UNLV vs Utah State - Week 4

New FSM Recap: UNLV vs Utah State – Week 4

Franchise Sports Media

UNLV Rebels (3-1)  |  Utah State Aggies (1-3)

 

Not your same ole’ Rebels, UNLV handles Mountain West Champions in a 34-24 win. First win in Logan, Utah, since 2007. 

 

Brumfield, Rebels’ offense, came ready to respond. Utah State had not scored an offensive touchdown since August 27th in the season opener. On the second drive of the game, the Rebels had held the Aggies to a field goal when a penalty on UNLV for roughing the kicker gave the Aggies another chance. That is when Logan Bonner found Justin McGriff on a 12-yard touchdown to open up the game’s scoring.

Doug Brumfield showcased the strong left arm in response. Finding Kyle Williams for a 40-yard gain, Jeff Weimer for a 27-yard gain and eventually relied on his legs with an impressive stiff arm to score from seven yards out to tie the game at seven.

After a muck of a sequence for the Aggies where four penalties were committed, a drastic mistake on special teams happened. The Rebels took advantage of possession at the Aggie five-yard line, where Brumfield received a massive push from his offensive line on a quarterback sneak for a touchdown to give the Rebels a 14-7 lead. 

Aiden Robbins would get involved in the first half with a 26-yard burst to move the Rebels into the red zone. Brumfield would add more to his numbers and extend the lead with a beautiful back shoulder ball to Williams to extend the Rebel lead 21-7. 

 

The Rebels’ defense pounced on Logan Bonner early.

 

On the ensuing drive, Bonner would throw an interception to Jerrae Williams. UNLV would slow down a little bit on offense and be forced to punt. The punt would be blocked through the back of the end-zone for a safety, cutting the lead to 21-9. 

Bonner, again on the next drive, would be picked-off by Austin Ajiake. Utah State would keep UNLV out of the end-zone this time, forcing them to a field goal, giving more cushion for a 24-9 Rebels lead. 

Bonner would finally get something going downfield as he found Brain Cobbs for a 44-yard catch down the sideline. The Aggies would score on a fourth-and-seven inside the red zone on a touchdown pass to Terrel Vaughn, making the score 24-16. 

Brumfield would again march this offense down the field in a two-minute drill before the half to set up another Daniel Gutteriez field goal. UNLV’s defense would pick-off Bonner again on a questionable hail-marry right before halftime, as UNLV headed into the locker room up 27-16.

 

The Rebels don’t let up in the second half.

 

UNLV’s defense has made its money by forcing teams off of the field on fourth downs. To open the second half, the Rebels would send a shuttering statement to the Mountain West champions as they stuffed a run on fourth and two. Brumfield would start his second half by leading the Rebels on a touchdown drive, finished by Robbins, extending the lead to 34-16. 

Utah State attempted to do anything to get a spark going toward the end of the third quarter. The Aggies kept on running into a Rebel wall, hitting and forcing a fourth interception on Bonner as Cameron Oliver reeled in the INT. 

UNLV would again stop the Aggies on a fourth-down from inside their own 20-yard line, which is becoming comfortably familiar for the Rebels’ defense through the first four games. 

Bonner would see this game through for the Aggies and find Vaughn again for a 39-yard touchdown. Following a two-point conversion, the Rebels would hold a 34-24 lead to the end, still creating two more turnovers, a strip sack, and a closing interception. 

 

Not your same ole’ Rebels.

 

UNLV has now started 3-1 for the first time since 2008. Marcus Arroyo has defeated Utah State for the first time as a head coach and will begin a stretch of conference match-ups with a 1-0 record within the Mountain West. Even more important is to start conference play by not just defeating the Mountain West champions but handling the victory for four quarters.

Brumfield was 21 for 31 with 217-yards and a touchdown, and two rushing touchdowns. Robbins had another excellent rushing performance with a 28-carry, 90-yard day with a touchdown, his seventh of the season.

Defensively, UNLV created a total of eight turnovers via a fumble, four interceptions, and three turnovers on downs. Another dominant day from this surging Rebels defense.

 

UNLV will be back at home for the Friday night showdown with New Mexico. Kick-off is at 8 PM and will be on the CBS Sports Network.

UNLV vs Utah State                 UNLV vs Utah State                 UNLV vs Utah State                 UNLV vs Utah State                 UNLV vs Utah State                 UNLV vs Utah State                 UNLV vs Utah State                 UNLV vs Utah State                                               

– Brandon Steele – Franchise Sports Media

Follow Brandon on Twitter @SteeleBomb17

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