Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Live blog: Hawaii beats UNLV, 21-7

1116_sun_UNLVHawaii03

Steve Marcus

UNLV Rebels wide receiver Darren Woods Jr. (10) gets past Hawaii Warriors defensive back Eugene Ford (8) for a touchdown during the first half of a game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019.

Updated Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019 | 4:06 p.m.

UNLV's offense spent 60 minutes spinning its wheels in a 21-7 loss to Hawaii.

The Rebels went 2-of-11 on third downs, committed two costly turnovers and possessed the ball for just 23:15 in one of their worst offensive showings of the season. Quarterback Kenyon Oblad hit on 10-of-22 passes for 118 yards, and his interception in the end zone midway through the fourth quarter ended any chance of a UNLV comeback attempt. 

The loss drops UNLV to 2-8 on the season and 0-6 in Mountain West play. 

It was a waste of a strong defensive performance, as UNLV held the powerful Hawaii passing game in check for most of the day. The Rebels forced three turnovers in the first quarter—chasing starting QB Chevan Cordeiro from the game in the process—and gave the offense good starting field position on several occasions, but Oblad and company could not get anything going. 

The Rebels will have a week to figure things out on that side of the ball before hosting San Jose State next week in the season's penultimate game. 

Hawaii leads UNLV in fourth, 21-7

Hawaii quarterback Cole McDonald just scored on his second touchdown run of the day, and the Warriors now lead UNLV 21-7 with 11:31 left in the fourth quarter.

McDonald pushed the UNLV defense back on his 2-yard scoring run. Since being inserted at QB in the second quarter, McDonald has completed 17-of-23 passes for 169 yards with two rushing TDs.

UNLV's offense has been lethargic today, with only nine first downs so far. Kenyon Oblad will now have to try to throw the Rebels back into this game.

Pick-6 gives Hawaii lead heading into fourth

Neither offense was able to get much going in the third quarter, but the Hawaii defense made the biggest play of the game so far when Cortez Davis intercepted a Kenyon Oblad pass and returned it 43 yards for a touchdown.

That play gave the Warriors the lead for the first time today, and they're up 14-7 heading into the fourth quarter.

It was Oblad's first interception on the day. The freshman has completed just 6-of-16 passes for 66 yards, with one touchdown and the one big interception.

UNLV punted on its next drive, and Hawaii will have a first down at the Rebels' 47-yard line to start the final quarter.

UNLV, Hawaii tied at halftime

UNLV missed a couple of opportunities to extend its lead in the second quarter, and Hawaii scored just before the horn to tie the game at 7-7 heading into halftime.

The Rebels missed a field goal to end one promising drive, and quarterback Kenyon Oblad was unable to connect with an open receiver downfield on a key third down, stalling another drive. Hawaii took advantage with a 10-play, 90-yard drive, as Cole McDonald scored on a QB keeper with 22 seconds left to knot the score.

Until that final drive, the UNLV defense had been surprisingly good, forcing three turnovers and prompting Hawaii coach Nick Rolovich to make a change at quarterback. Chad Cordeiro has been benched in favor of McDonald, who is 8-of-11 for 90 yards through the air.

Turnovers help UNLV take 7-0 lead over Hawaii

The final eight minutes of the first quarter could not have gone worse for the visitors, as Hawaii committed three turnovers to spot UNLV a 7-0 lead at the end of the period.

UNLV safety Evan Austrie forced a fumble after a Hawaii receiver caught a slant pass, and linebacker Javin White recovered in Warriors territory. Three plays later, Kenyon Oblad hit Darren Woods running free down the middle for a 31-yard touchdown to put UNLV on the board.

Hawaii's ensuing possession lasted one play, as quarterback Chevan Cordeiro underthrew a deep ball down the right sideline that was intercepted by Jericho Flowers. The Rebels are once again in Hawaii territory, facing a 4th and 5 from the Hawaii 20 to open the second quarter.

UNLV, Hawaii scoreless in first quarter

The Rebels haven't done anything with their first two offensive possessions, punting both times, but the defense has come up big, as cornerback Jericho Flowers ended Hawaii's first drive by intercepting a deep pass in the end zone.

With 6:15 left in the first quarter, we're still scoreless at Sam Boyd Stadium.

Defending the deep ball will be crucial for UNLV today, so the fact that Flowers was in position and able to make a play on the ball is a good sign.

Three keys for UNLV football vs. Hawaii

The Rebels are back on the field today, fresh off a bye and ready to take on a dangerous Hawaii squad (6-4, 3-3 Mountain West). In a season that has largely been a disappointment to this point, can UNLV (2-7, 0-5) score a meaningful win and take back the Golden Pineapple trophy?

Three keys to watch:

Defend deep

Hawaii is one of the nation's most explosive passing attacks, as the Warriors rank third nationally at 349 yards per game. That looks like a mismatch on paper, as UNLV struggles to defend deep routes. It cost the Rebels last year, when Hawaii completed three deep bombs in the fourth quarter to earn a comeback win, and unless there is a plan in place to help the secondary defend Hawaii receivers in space, it could cost UNLV again today.

Work the clock

UNLV's best defense against Hawaii will probably be the clock. The Rebels want to run the ball, maintain long possessions and keep Hawaii quarterbacks Cole McDonald and Chevan Cordeiro on the sideline. That means a steady diet of running backs Charles Williams and Chad Magyar. Coming off a bye, both backs should be refreshed and ready for a big workload today.

Play hard

It sounds simple, but it can't be taken for granted. With coach Tony Sanchez likely out at the end of the season, it's up to the players to decide how much effort they want to give over the final three weeks. If they come out with energy and find themselves in a competitive game early, they should be fine. If the Rebels fall behind by double digits, though, will they have the strength of will to mount a comeback?

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

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