It’s a non-conference matchup between a pair of teams that have struggled in recent years on the gridiron when a team from the Mountain West takes on one from the Pac-12 in the Golden State. The UNLV Rebels are on the road as they make the trip west to face the Cal Golden Bears Saturday afternoon. UNLV opened their season by knocking off Idaho State 52-21 at home last Saturday. Cal kicked off their 2022 slate by rolling past UC Davis 34-13 at home last Saturday to get things off on the right foot. This marks the first time that the two programs have met on the gridiron as FBS opponents.
UNLV has been anything but a football power in recent years as their last winning season came back in 2013: that’s their only winning campaign dating back to 2004. The Rebels hope to improve to 2-0 on the season as they take the field in this contest on the road. Against Idaho State, UNLV led only 10-7 after the opening quarter of play but broke the game open with a 35-point second quarter to take a commanding 45-7 advantage at the half. The Rebels cruised from there to get the win. UNLV rolled up a commanding 554-241 edge in total offense, picked up 23 first downs while allowing 13 and held a 30:24 to 29:36 advantage in time of possession. For good measure, the Rebels forced the game’s lone turnover.
Doug Brumfield completed a sizzling 21 of 25 passes for 356 yards with four scores while adding 10 rushing yards in the game. Harrison Bailey completed three of eight passes for 26 yards while Cameron Friel was two of two for 23 yards and a score. Courtney Reese was the leading ground gainer for the Rebels with seven carries for 73 yards. Jordan Younge-Humphrey (four carries, 47 yards) and Aidan Robbins (10 carries, 35 yards) also saw work in the ground game for UNLV. Ricky White hauled in eight passes for 182 yards plus a pair of scores to lead the team. Jeff Weimer (five receptions, 71 yards) and Kyle Williams (four grabs, 68 yards, TD) were the only other players with more than two catches. Meanwhile, Zyell Griffin (two catches, 23 yards) and Robbins (reception, seven yards) also caught scoring passes in the victory. Daniel Gutierrez hit all seven of his extra point attempts and his lone field goal attempt, which came from 39 yards.