UNLV’s rivalry with Hawaii produces close games, good atmosphere

By Ray Brewer (contact)

Thursday, Nov. 14, 2019 | 4:15 p.m.

The UNLV football team won’t be playing in a bowl game this season. While some outsiders say the void of working toward a postseason berth make the remaining three games less meaningful, that doesn’t appear to be the mentality of the players and coaches.

The Rebels (2-7 overall) host Hawaii at 1 p.m. Saturday in one of the most anticipated games of the season because of the significant Hawaiian population in Las Vegas and the many players with ties to the island on the UNLV roster. It could be the best-attended game of the season.

“It’s one of those games that you look forward to,” UNLV receiver Darren Woods Jr. said. “It’s just a real good game, a real good atmosphere, whether it is home or away. I’m glad it is at Sam Boyd. That’s a great opportunity for us to start the end of the season off strong.”

The following week, UNLV hosts San Jose State in the final Rebel game at Sam Boyd Stadium — an event with much planned pageantry — before the move in 2020 to Allegiant Stadium with the Raiders. And the season finale is — and arguably will always be — the most important game of the schedule: at UNR in defense of the Fremont Cannon.

The Rebels are coming off a bye week after being eliminated from bowl eligibility two weeks ago with a loss at Colorado State. The rest gave players a chance to recharge for the final quarter of the season.

“Much-needed week off. We had a lot of guys banged up. Good to get those guys healthy and get them going right,” UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said. “Obviously, a little disappointed after the last game. (We were) able to regroup and get our minds where they need to be to go out and fight for a win against Hawaii.”

The games against Hawaii (6-4) always seem to be close, with five of the last six meetings  decided by less than 10 points, and usually have a late lead change. Hawaii is a minus-7 point betting favorite, mostly because its passing attack ranks third nationally at 349 yards per game.

Last week against San Jose, neither team attempted a punt.

“You have to get their offense off the field and when you get the football, you want them to get stale a little bit and sit on the sidelines for four or five minutes,” Sanchez said.

UNLV will try to possess the ball with its rushing attack. But if the game become a shootout — the betting total is 73 points — the Rebels can also sling the ball around.

Redshirt Kenyon Oblad will remain as the starter at quarterback, having passed for at least 250 yards and two touchdowns in the last three games. He has 11 touchdown passes the over past five games. Armani Rogers, more of a running threat at quarterback, is still working his way back from injury, Sanchez said.

“They are going to make their plays. It is how are you going to limit them? ... Every little mistake we make on defense will cost us,” UNLV linebacker Javin White said.

The teams play for the Island Showdown Trophy, which debuted in 2017. The trophy — a golden pineapple on a base — is sponsored by the California Hotel and Casino. The series is even at 1-1 after Hawaii’s fourth quarter rally last season.

“I don’t care if we are (playing) there or they are here, we are going to get a big crowd,” Sanchez said. “It is one of those natural rivalries that organically happened over time. It is going to be an exciting game.”

Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21