What we know about UNLV football at halfway point

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023 | 2 a.m.

The first half of the 2023 season couldn't have unfolded any better for UNLV football.

Aside from a decisive loss at No. 2 Michigan on Sept. 9, Barry Odom’s team has delivered every week, scoring 40 points in each of the other four contests on their way to carving out a sparkling 4-1 record.

Now the Scarlet and Gray come out of their bye with a date at in-state rival UNR, in a game where emotions are sure to run high as the two teams do battle for possession of the Fremont Cannon. A win would not only allow UNLV to keep the college football’s largest trophy, but move them within one more victory of qualifying for a bowl game.

Here’s what we know about UNLV as the team embarks on a second half that will see them pursue a postseason berth and perhaps even a Mountain West title:

They’re plucky

It’s been fair to question UNLV’s resiliency in recent years, but this 2023 squad seems to be a cut above when it comes to mental toughness. They proved it in Week 3, when they fell behind Vanderbilt, 17-0, while losing starting quarterback Doug Brumfield to injury. Instead of packing it in, they rallied behind redshirt freshman Jayden Maiava and staged an epic comeback, winning, 40-37, on a last-second field goal by Jose Pizano.

And before the bye, the Scarlet and Gray faced the Hawaii team that ended their 2022 season (and got the coaching staff fired in the process). Was there any lingering doubt about how the players would respond in the rematch? Nope, just a routine 45-28 victory.

The biggest influence in the team’s resolve has been Odom, who delivers a weekly masterclass in staying focused and maintaining an even keel.

“Excited to get a win in the first game in conference play and get off to a 4-1 start,” Odom said of the Hawaii win, before pivoting to the big picture. “We’re a long way from where we need to be.”

No doubt the team heard that message.

Special teams helps

The most glaring on-field difference between this UNLV squad and recent vintages is the play of the special teams units. As in, they’re suddenly good at it.

Not only is Pizano automatic (11-of-12 field goals, 20-of-20 PATs), but the unit covers kicks and punts well, reliably limiting opponents’ return yards. And when it’s UNLV’s turn to field kicks, junior Jacob De Jesus has been a demon on runbacks, averaging 29.5 yards on kick returns and 11.2 on punts.

Against Hawaii, Pizano knocked in field goals from 52 and 48 yards, only deepening Odom’s faith in his leg.

“If we get inside the 35-yard line, it’s nice to know we should come away with points,” Odom said.

Brumfield is still the starter

Maiava has capably piloted the offense through the last three games. Though his stats are modest (57.4%, 701 yards, three touchdowns, two interceptions), he has converted key third downs and avoided back-breaking mistakes while allowing the rushing attack to do most of the heavy lifting.

It’s a formula that has led to three straight wins, but Odom continues to say Brumfield will be reinserted into the starting role as soon as he is cleared to return.

When will that happen? It remains to be seen. Brumfield has gradually worked his way back onto the practice field since injuring his ribs and hip against Vanderbilt on Sept. 16, and Odom said he had a “good day” on Monday. Does that mean he’ll get the nod at UNR this week?

Don’t expect Odom to make an announcement before the game, except to say that Brumfield’s job is waiting for him.

“He’s still proven in our minds,” Odom said. “He’s been the starter — is the starter.”

Running back by committee

The running game has really revved up as the season has progressed, with Brennan Marion’s go-go offense producing 307 rushing yards in each of the last two games.

What’s impressive about the ground attack is the way UNLV has been rotating its stable of running backs. Againts UTEP, true freshman Jai’Den Thomas carried the load, rushing for 100 yards and four touchdowns. The very next week, it was senior Donavyn Lester racking up 97 yards and a TD.

For the season, four UNLV running backs have accrued at least 136 yards, with each ballcarrier averaging at least 4.7 yards per carry.

Odom said he likes the way the rotation keeps the backs fresh and that he expects Marion to continue shuffling the deck through the second half of the season.

“It’s all built throughout the week on what personnel grouping, who fits, who practices best, who we want to try to get the ball,” Odom said. “So every week is a little bit different, and all of it depends on how they practice throughout the week.”

Blocking in progress

One of the major questions heading into year was how the offensive line would hold up. It’s not a deep group, and the starters are a mix of holdovers and transfers that Odom was able to pull from the portal in the offseason. So far, they’ve done a great job opening running lanes (4.8 yards per carry, No. 32 in the nation), and maybe more importantly, the pass blocking has gotten demonstrably better as the season has gone on.

Brumfield was under heavy fire in the opening weeks — that’s how he ended up with injured ribs — but Maiava has found calmer waters in the pocket, with UNLV allowing zero sacks over the last two weeks. For contrast, the UNLV defense has sacked opposing passers 10 times during that span for negative 78 yards.

Odom credited Maiava for getting the ball out on time, and the line for working in unison to create a healthy pocket.

Defense holding out for secondary play

Defense is Odom’s specialty, and he has cobbled together a unit that thrives on creating turnovers. For the season, the Scarlet and Gray have collected 11 takeaways (seven interceptions, four fumble recoveries), which ranks fifth in the nation.

Still, Odom wants to see more consistent play from the defensive backs, which is a key unit in his 3-3-5 alignment. UNLV is rotating a number of cornerbacks and safeties, especially with star slot corner Jerrae Williams out with a foot injury, and Odom said he’s going to continue mixing and matching in the secondary until someone plays well enough to seize a full-time role.

Junior Cameron Oliver is ostensibly the No. 1 corner, and he has been productive with an interception and three pass breakups. Senior safety Jaxen Turner has two interceptions and junior Johnathan Baldwin has a pick and two breakups.

If that grouping gets solidified, UNLV could be a mean defense down the stretch of the season.

“We’ve played a number of different guys over the last couple weeks, still trying to figure it out — who’s going to take the job?” Odom said. “That’s one of the huge areas that we need to get fixed, and if we don’t, we won’t achieve the success that this team should.”

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.