Live coverage: UNLV wins Fremont Cannon with goal-line stop

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 | 2 a.m.

Updated Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 | 6:20 p.m.

The Fremont Cannon is turning red after UNLV stormed back from an early deficit to knock off UNR, 27-22, at Allegiant Stadium.

It's the first time in his three years at the helm that head coach Marcus Arroyo has defeated UNR.

UNLV had to hold on for dear life, as UNR advanced to the 3-yard line with 11 seconds remaining, looking to take the lead. Wolf Pack quarterback Nate Cox scrambled, but his fourth-down pass into the end zone was batted down by UNLV cornerback Johnathan Baldwin to seal the win.

Harrison Bailey piloted the UNLV offense as it mounted its comeback. Bailey completed 16-of-27 passes for 209 yards and threw two touchdown passes, including a 30-yarder to senior receiver Nick Williams to give UNLV a 27-16 lead with six minutes left in the fourth quarter.

It's unclear whether starting QB Doug Brumfield exited the game due to injury, or whether Arroyo pulled him due to performance. We'll have to wait until Arroyo addresses the media to get the rest of the story.

As for where UNLV goes from here, that's also unclear. They finish the regular season with a 5-7 record, but may become bowl eligible due to a lack of 6-win teams. We might not know their fate until 5-win Buffalo and 5-win New Mexico State play makeup games next week.

UNLV leads UNR heading into fourth quarter, 17-16

UNLV didn't do much on offense in the third quarter, and UNR has closed within 17-16 as we head into the fourth.

The Scarlet and Gray got into trouble on their second drive coming out of the locker room, when Harrison Bailey was hit as he threw, causing an off-target pass that UNR intercepted just outside the red zone. The UNLV defense held, however, and forced a field goal to preserve the lead.

Bailey did scramble for a 42-yard gain on the final play of the quarter to set UNLV up inside the 10-yard line when play resumes. A touchdown here would give Marcus Arroyo's team some breathing room.

On the scoreboard, there are two bowl spots remaining and four teams still trying to get to six wins. Two of those teams — Buffalo and New Mexico State — have a game remaining next week, so if current scores hold, UNLV will have to wait until next Friday to learn their postseason fate.

UNLV bounces back to take halftime lead over UNR

The Fremont Cannon game rarely disappoints, and this installment has been as wild as any so far. At the half, UNLV has come back to take a 17-13 lead over UNR.

How we've gotten here has been a ride filled with twists and turns. Starting quarterback Doug Brumfield was benched after two lackluster drives and replaced by Harrison Bailey, who has also been shaky, but Bailey did complete a long 50/50 ball to Kyle Williams for a 49-yard touchdown to give UNLV the lead early in the second quarter.

UNLV has still only gained four first downs on offense, compared to eight for UNR. The Wolf Pack have a massive 18:46 to 11:14 advantage in time of possession, and they'll receive the kick to start the second half.

Bailey is 8-of-13 for 116 yards and one touchdown. 

The good news for UNLV is that they've completely shut down the UNR attack since Nate Cox's 75-yard TD to B.J. Casteel in the first quarter. UNR is down to 5.4 yards per play. 

On the bowl front, the scoreboard is UNLV's friend right now. UTEP blew a 24-point lead and lost to UTSA, which took another 5-win team out of bowl contention. There are currently four spots open with five games remaining to be played (three in progress).

UNLV scores on defense, still trails UNR

Signs of life for UNLV, as a touchdown on the final play of the first quarter has trimmed UNR's lead to 13-7.

UNR did their rivals a gigantic favor on a 4th-and-1 play at midfield. The Wolf Pack went for it and called a strange pitch play, and not surprisingly the ball was fumbled. UNLV defensive back Johnathan Baldwin scooped it up and ran 45 yards the other way for an easy touchdown to get UNLV on the board.

The play could end up being a huge momentum-shifter, especially considering how awful the UNLV offense has been to start the game. Starting quarterback Doug Brumfield was benched after the first two drives went nowhere, and backup Harrison Bailey has been even worse, completing 1-of-4 passes. UNLV has yet to pick up a first down.

The out-of-town scoreboard continues to be favorable. UNLV really might be a win away from an unlikely bowl bid.

UNR takes early lead in Fremont Cannon game

This game could not have gotten off to a less inspiring start for UNLV.

The Scarlet and Gray received the opening kick and went 3-and-out on offense, barely escaping a turnover when Doug Brumfield's third-down pass was batted in the air and almost intercepted. UNR blocked the ensuing punt, however, setting up the Wolf Pack inside the red zone.

The UNLV defense did manage to scrounge up a stop and force a short field goal, and UNR has a 3-0 lead with 11:04 remaining in the first quarter.

As far as UNLV's bowl chances are concerned, the out-of-town scoreboard has provided some hope today, namely in the form of overtime losses for both Buffalo and Florida Atlantic. As of now, there are still five open spots available, and with the way the games in progress are shaping up, UNLV will probably still be alive at the conclusion of its own game — provided the Scarlet and Gray can come back and take care of business against UNR.

UNLV can't ask for any more than that.

Chance at bowl on the line for UNLV football in finale against rival UNR today

Well, this is it. After a season of unprecedented highs and all-too-familiar lows, UNLV football will conclude the 2022 campaign when they host UNR on Saturday.

But is it really the end?

Maybe not. Through a quirk in the bowl eligibility rules, there’s a chance UNLV could still qualify for a postseason berth if they beat UNR and finish with a 5-7 record. That would mean the Scarlet and Gray will have to snap their current six-game losing streak.

Can they do it, and claim the Fremont Cannon in the process? Three keys to watch:

Secondary concerns

UNLV has struggled all season when it comes to defending the pass, and the problems get exponentially worse the deeper downfield the action moved. The Scarlet and Gray are allowing 7.8 yards per pass attempt, which ranks No. 103 in the nation.

That weakness was openly exploited by Hawaii, as UNLV allowed multiple long gains, including a back-breaking 55-yard touchdown pass that gave Hawaii the lead late in the third quarter. And it could have been worse; there were several instances of Hawaii receivers running free behind UNLV defensive backs, only for the pass to be off-target.

In short, UNLV was fortunate to not get burned more often than they did last week. UNR doesn’t feature an explosive passing attack, but if they watched the UNLV-Hawaii film, they’re going to test the secondary with a few long bombs of their own.

Bowl hopes still flickering

If UNLV needs any added motivation — beyond winning the Fremont Cannon for the first time in Marcus Arroyo’s tenure — there’s still a chance the team could qualify for a bowl game.

A lot of things would have to go right, and a lot of 5-win teams would have to lose this weekend, but if the out-of-town scoreboard shakes out and UNLV takes care of business against the worst team in the Mountain West (UNR is 2-9 overall and 0-7 in conference), it could happen.

How will the players handle the suddenly high stakes, just six days after an emotional loss that they thought eliminated them? Leadership will be paramount; Arroyo and the team's key players will have to keep everyone's eyes on the prize.

Strong finish

Regardless of the bowl situation, there are several players who could use a strong finish to 2022, starting with the quarterback.

Sophomore Doug Brumfield was a star over the season’s first five weeks, but he hasn’t looked the same since coming back from the concussion that kept him off the field for most of October. In three games since coming back, he has completed 59.8% of his passes for 667 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions, and UNLV has lost all three contests.

Nevada doesn’t have a horrible pass defense. The Wolf Pack rank 43^rd in opposing passer rating and 59^th in yards allowed per attempt, so it’s not going to be a total gimme for Brumfield. But if he can look more like the early-season Doug Brumfield on Saturday, that should give him (and the team) some much-needed momentum heading into the offseason.

Who: UNLV (4-7, 2-5 MWC) vs. UNR (2-9, 0-7 MWC)

When: Saturday, 3 p.m. at Allegiant Stadium

TV: Cox channel 125, TV channel 5.2

Line: UNLV -12.5

UNLV leaders

Passing: Doug Brumfield — 65.1%, 1,898 yards, 10 TDs, 5 INTs

Rushing: Aidan Robbins — 922 yards, 4.9 per carry, 9 TDs

Receiving: Ricky White — 50 receptions, 623 yards, 4 TDs

Defense: Austin Ajiake — 120 tackles, 11.0 TFL, 4.0 sacks, 2 INTs

UNR leaders

Passing: Nate Cox — 51.2%, 1,188 yards, 4 TDs, 3 INTs

Rushing: Toa Taua — 767 yards, 4.1 per carry, 10 TDs

Receiving: Brian Casteel — 43 receptions, 491 yards, 3 TDs

Defense: Bentlee Sanders — 75 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 5 INTs

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