UNLV quarterback Doug Brumfield (2) take a quick glance at his offensive line during a play against North Texas in the first half of their game at Allegiant Stadium Saturday Sept. 17, 2022.
Saturday, Nov. 5, 2022 | 8:22 p.m.
The warning signs showed early in the game. On UNLV’s first drive, Doug Brumfield sailed a throw to the sideline well over his receiver’s head. Later in the first quarter, he tried to hit a crossing route but bounced it at the feet of his intended target.
The wild misses were uncharacteristic of the way Brumfield has played this season, and could be explained with one word.
Rust.
Taking the field for the first time since suffering a concussion on Oct. 7, UNLV’s sophomore quarterback flashed the playmaking ability that had the Scarlet and Gray flying high in the season’s first month. But Brumfield never fully got into a rhythm and tossed two untimely interceptions that ultimately proved to be the difference in a torturous 14-10 loss at San Diego State.
Brumfield’s two second-half interceptions both came in the end zone, effectively taking points off the board as the Scarlet and Gray attempted to work their way out of a two-touchdown deficit.
Add two lost fumbles for the Scarlet and Gray, and Marcus Arroyo had to hang the loss on self-imposed mistakes.
“Four turnovers is hard to overcome versus a good, quality opponent,” Arroyo said. “Two of those in plus territory, which are a loss of points and probably the swing in the game.”
UNLV has now dropped four straight games, and for the first time this season the Scarlet and Gray find themselves below .500 at 4-5 overall (2-3 Mountain West).
San Diego State took a 7-0 lead into halftime and scored on the opening drive of the third quarter to make it 14-0. At that point in the game, UNLV was averaging 2.6 yards per play and had displayed no ability to move the ball until Brumfield worked his magic.
On a 1st-and-10 play, Brumfield dropped back and avoided two pass-rushers in the backfield before uncorking a missile down the right sideline. Nick Williams, who had snuck behind the defense, pulled in the pass and outran the Aztecs defense to the end zone for a 70-yard touchdown.
After forcing a punt, UNLV drove to the SDSU 20 and appeared to be on the verge of tying the game. On first down, Brumfield attempted to loft a pass to Kyle Williams on a fade route, but the throw came up way short and was picked off by San Diego State cornerback Dezjhon Malone.
Early the fourth quarter, UNLV was within 14-10 and driving in the red zone with an opportunity to take the lead. Facing a 3rd-and-10, Brumfield attempted a touch pass to Williams in the corner of the end zone, but once again the throw was soft and SDSU defensive back Dallas Branch was able to step in front of the receiver and snag it.
On both interceptions, Brumfield would have been better served by holding the ball or taking a safer throw.
Arroyo attributed it to Brumfield not being fully up to game speed after being inactive for nearly a month.
“It was obvious there was some rust there and some decision-making that we’ve got to get shored up,” Arroyo said. “I anticipated some rust, but the decision-making and the change in the game in those situations is unfortunate. We’ve got to get that fixed.”
UNLV only got one more shot on offense, and that drive stalled at midfield with six minutes remaining. A punt pinned San Diego State at the 6-yard line with 5:41 on the clock and raised hopes that Brumfied would get another chance to lead the offense on a go-ahead drive.
Instead, San Diego State embarked on a perfect clock-killing drive, running 11 plays and taking the clock all the way down to zero. The Aztecs ran the ball on 10 of those plays, including final nine, and picked up five first downs along the way.
UNLV used all three of its allotted timeouts, and even tried to gunk up the works with a couple dubious injury stoppages, but San Diego State could not be denied. When Jaylon Armstead picked up 14 yards on a 3rd-and-4 play in the final minute, it was game over.
UNLV defensive end Adam Plant said the team believed Brumfield and the offense would win the game if they could get on the field one more time.
“The biggest emphasis was just trying to strip the ball and get another opportunity for the offense to try to score,” Plant said. “Unfortunately we weren’t able to do that.”
For the game Brumfield completed 17-of-27 passes for 207 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Ricky White was the primary target, pulling in seven passes for 62 yards.
Aidan Robbins also returned from injury and racked up 115 rushing yards on 21 carries.
UNLV is now in a precarious position coming down the stretch, needing to win two of its final three games in order to qualify for a bowl game.
When the team cruised to a 4-1 start, a bowl trip seemed to be a foregone conclusion, but the four-game losing streak has backed the Scarlet and Gray into a corner.
“It’s definitely frustrating, but you’ve got to face adversity in life,” Robbins said. “It’s all about how you’re going to respond.”
Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.
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