UNLV Rebels defensive lineman Jordan Sparkman (85) picks up a fumble during UNLVs game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014.
Published Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 | 3:50 p.m.
Updated Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 | 8:18 p.m.
San Diego State 34, UNLV 17
Game over
Canyon Springs High grad Donnel Pumphrey ran for four touchdowns and 167 yards on 22 carries, burying the Rebels under another pile of rushing yards in a 34-17 loss for UNLV. The Rebels are now 1-4 with their rushing defense foremost among many issues plaguing them near the midpoint of the season.
One of the other big problems is turnovers and there were costly ones tonight. Twice Blake Decker threw interceptions inside the red zone, although one was a tipped pass. The first one was awful and killed a meaningful UNLV drive.
The Rebels had plenty of chances to keep this thing within striking distance but they simply weren't good enough in any area to overcome their own errors. Decisions about going for it (or not) at various points of the game didn't make much sense and an offense missing its best player (Devante Davis) didn't come close to making enough plays to overcome that absence.
UNLV never really seemed like they were going to win this game, but the Rebels certainly could have kept it closer. They didn't, and looking around at games like Air Force's victory against Boise State and even upcoming home games don't seem too promising.
Check lasvegassun.com later tonight for a full report from the Rebels' defeat.
The Rebel Room
How Bad Will it Get for UNLV Football?
Las Vegas Sun sports writers Ray Brewer, Case Keefer and Taylor Bern get into some numbers behind UNLV's dreadful 1-3 start to the season and make predictions on what's still to come. Well, at least two of them do.
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Today likely isn’t a turning point for the UNLV football team. Coming in to San Diego State as 18-point betting underdogs, a victory is certainly far from likely. And barring that, even a blowout loss doesn’t tell us anything about UNLV (1-3) we didn’t already know.
The Rebels’ defense comes in with anemic numbers, especially against the run. That could mean a big day for Canyon Springs High grad and San Diego State running back Donnel Pumphrey. He’s averaging 100 yards per game and 5.7 yards per carry against a defense giving up more than 300 yards per game.
However, the injured and beaten up secondary is just as capable of giving up yards through the air as the ground. If the Rebels are good against one of them they’re likely going to struggle against the other.
So that — plus the plethora of injuries — is the bad news. The good news, if you can call it that, is that I have a good feeling about UNLV’s chances of keeping it respectable today.
I think the Rebels will get more consistency out of the quarterback position, whether that ultimately comes from Blake Decker or Nick Sherry, and I think there will be a few bright spots defensively. Not enough to pull off the upset, but enough so that there’s reason to believe that the Rebels will be able to compete in the dreadful Mountain West.
Tonight's game kicks off at 5:04 p.m. and will stream on ESPN3.
Bern’s prediction: This certainly has a chance to get out of hand but I like the Rebels to keep it within a big number. San Diego State 31, UNLV 18
Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.
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