Game day: UNLV suffers last-second loss at Fresno State

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 | 11 a.m.

Updated Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023 | 11:02 p.m.

UNLV's five-game winning streak is finished, as a late comeback attempt came up short and Fresno State held on for a wild 31-24 victory.

It was an excruciating end-game sequence for the Scarlet and Gray, as they drove inside the 10-yard line in the final seconds but were unable to score. On second down Jayden Maiava lofted a pass to a wide-open Senika McKie in the end zone, but McKie dropped the ball. Maiava was intercepted on the next play to end the game.

UNLV now falls to 3-1 in Mountain West play and 6-2 overall. They'll try to get back in the win column next week when they travel to New Mexico.

UNLV driving late, down 31-24 at Fresno State

UNLV has one more chance to tie this game, as they've got the ball at the 48-yard line with 2:33 on the clock, trailing 31-24.

UNLV couldn't have asked for a better opportunity to tie the game after Vincent Davis broke a 24-yard run down inside the Fresno State 5. But the offensive line couldn't gain any traction on the next three plays, as Jayden Maiava handed off three times only to see all of them come up short of the goal line.

On fourth down, UNLV rolled Maiava to the right, but he had no open receivers and his tight-window pass attempt sailed incomplete.

The defense held, however, forcing a quick punt from Fresno State, and now Maiava will get another shot.

UNLV pulls within 31-24 in fourth quarter

UNLV needed that.

After a turnover-filled third quarter, Jayden Maiava zipped a 15-yard touchdown pass to Ricky White on 3rd-and-goal to pull UNLV within 31-24 with more than 12 minutes remaining in the fourth.

It's the first successful offensive drive of the second half for the Scarlet and Gray, and it was critical to their comeback chances.

White now has 133 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

If the UNLV defense can get Fresno State off the field, we'll get to see if Maiava can work his late-game magic again. The freshman has only started four games in his career (this is the fifth), but he has led two game-winning drives already.

UNLV turnovers give Fresno State 31-17 lead

The third quarter was a nightmare for UNLV, and Barry Odom's squad now finds itself trailing at Fresno State, 31-17, as we enter the fourth.

UNLV ran only eight offensive plays and committed three turnovers, allowing Fresno State to run up 24 unanswered points. Mikey Keene tossed three touchdown passes for the Bulldogs, and they were all back-breakers, with two coming on 3rd-and-goal and the other coming on 4th-and-goal. He now has 244 yards passing on the night, as Fresno has apparently figured out the UNLV defense.

Jacob De Jesus fumbled a punt return, Jayden Maiava threw an interception and Jai'Den Thomas coughed up the ball on a routine running play. All three turnovers occurred deep in UNLV territory, making the carelessness even more harmful.

This game is not over — UNLV has come back from double-digit deficits this season — but Fresno State is showing what a conference contender looks like in a big game.

Fresno State storms back, takes lead over UNLV

Fresno State has come out firing in the second half, scoring touchdowns on back-to-back drives to take a 21-17 lead over UNLV with 5:59 remaining in the third quarter.

UNLV contributed to the Bulldogs' explosion. Fresno State received the opening kick to start the second half, but the UNLV defense forced a punt. Usually-reliable return man Jacob De Jesus misplayed the bouncing punt, however, allowing it to deflect off his leg; Fresno recovered inside the 10-yard line and scored five plays later on a short touchdown pass by Mikey Keene.

The Scarlet and Gray were unable to pick up a first down on the ensuing drive, and Fresno State took that punt and drove down into the red zone again. On 3rd-and-goal, Keene found Erik Brooks in the back of the end zone for the go-ahead score.

UNLV is now in a dog fight, and if they want to stay undefeated in conference play it's going to take one heck of a response.

UNLV surges to 17-7 halftime lead at Fresno State

UNLV closed the first half by scoring 17 unanswered points to take a 17-7 lead at Fresno State.

The final drive before halftime was a thing of beauty for the Scarlet and Gray, as they took over at their own 29-yard line with 1:49 on the clock and methodically moved the chains, converting a pair of key third downs to set up a Jai'Den Thomas 4-yard scoring run with 38 seconds left.

Freshman quarterback Jayden Maiava was excellent on the drive and has been good all night; he has hit on 15-of-23 passes for 173 yards and a touchdown. His production through the air has more than made up for UNLV's struggles on the ground; despite a commitment to running the ball (20 carries), the Scarlet and Gray managed just 64 rushing yards in the first half (3.2 yards per carry).

The defense contributed directly to UNLV taking the lead early in the second quarter. Senior defensive back Jaxen Turner made a highlight interception to give them good field position, and while the offense couldn't get into the end zone, they were able to position kicker Jose Pizano for an easy field goal to go up, 10-7.

The teams traded empty drives until UNLV got the ball back for the 2-minute drill, and Maiava made it count.

Defensively, UNLV has hemmed in Fresno State quarterback Mikey Keene, giving him short completions but limiting him to 84 yards on 13-of-17 passing. He has one touchdown and one interception.

Fresno State will receive the kick to open the second half, so we'll get an early look at any adjustments the Bulldogs coaching staff might make.

UNLV tied with Fresno State on Maiava TD pass

After one quarter, it looks like both teams came to play tonight, as UNLV and Fresno State are tied, 7-7.

Freshman quarterback Jayden Maiava just took UNLV the length of the field for the tying score, and now he's got a chance to put his squad in front.

Maiava showed his mettle early in the drive, converting a pair of clutch third downs via passes to tight end Kaleo Ballungay and receiver Ricky White. After moving across midfield, Maiava found White on a crosser; White evaded the initial tackler and weaved down the right sideline for a 41-yard touchdown.

Maiava has completed 5-of-7 passes for 67 yards. Donavyn Lester has gotten most of the work at running back and has 23 yards on five carries.

The UNLV defense forced FSU into a three-and-out on the ensuing drive; the Scarlet and Gray now have the ball at their own 20 as the second quarter begins.

Fresno State goes deep for early 7-0 lead over UNLV

If UNLV is going to keep its winning streak alive, it's going to take a comeback.

Fresno State marched straight down the field on its opening drive to take an early 7-0 lead over the Scarlet and Gray. Quarterback Mikey Keene hit receiver Tim Grear for a 31-yard touchdown on a stop-and-go pattern down the right sideline. 

UNLV got the first possession, but the drive stalled after picking up a single first down. Fresno State had no such issues, going 81 yards in 11 plays. 

Keene was injured last week and there was some uncertainty about his status throughout for tonight, but he looks fine and hit a couple tight-window passes to keep the Bulldogs moving until the deep shot to Grear.

Fresno State definitely made a statement. Can the UNLV offense put together an answer on this possession?

UNLV football at Fresno State for MWC showdown

If there was one thing Barry Odom and his team made clear this week, it’s that UNLV is not satisfied with six wins and a bowl game.

The team celebrated after securing their postseason berth via last week’s 25-23 win over Colorado State, but now it’s back to business — the business of chasing the Mountain West championship.

At 3-0 in conference play, the Scarlet and Gray are as well-positioned as anyone to claim a spot in the title game, and their chances would improve further with a victory at Fresno State on Saturday (7:40 p.m., FS1).

Can UNLV win its sixth straight game? Three keys to watch:

Maiava mania

Coming off yet another last-minute comeback, this time going 4-of-4 for 50 yards on the game-winning drive, Jayden Maiava can do no wrong.

UNLV has won five straight games with the freshman quarterback at the helm, including all four of his starts, and he is now locked in as the No. 1 on the depth chart. Now it’s time to see just how far he can take this offense.

The running game has been the main driver of UNLV’s offensive attack this year, but Maiava has been sharpening the passing attack. Against CSU he hit on 27-of-36 passes for 353 yards, and he got everyone involved, spreading the ball around to receivers Jacob De Jesus (nine catches, 120 yards), Ricky White (nine catches, 74 yards) and Senika McKie (four catches, 70 yards) and tight end Kaleo Ballungay (two catches, 52 yards).

Fresno State ranks 47^th nationally in pass defense with just 6.9 yards allowed per attempt; that puts the Bulldogs third among Mountain West teams. It may not seem like an inviting matchup, but look for UNLV to take some shots down the field, especially with the way Maiava and the receiving corps are cooking right now.

Knock it down

Speaking of pass defense, UNLV’s is at the other end of the spectrum. The Scarlet and Gray allow 8.8 yards per attempt, which is the eighth-worst mark in the nation, so there are plays to be made against UNLV’s secondary.

Fresno State is built to take advantage of that kind of weakness. Quarterback Mikey Keene is completing 68.5% of his passes with 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions, and the Bulldogs average more than 300 passing yards per game, so expect them to spread the field and fire away at UNLV’s weak link.

The Scarlet and Gray defensive backs did contribute some big plays against Colorado State, however, including a fourth-quarter interception by Jaxen Turner on a trick play, and Odom wants to see the group build on that performance.

“We’re still not where we need to be, but there was good progress,” Odom said. “The play that Jaxen turner made on the double pass, that was a huge momentum play for us.”

Test time

To put it simply, is UNLV ready for a game like this?

After decades of irrelevance, Odom’s squad suddenly finds itself in the middle of the conference championship race, on the road against a program that is familiar competing with those kind of stakes. Will Fresno State’s institutional experience make a difference on the field?

Senior center Jack Hasz said he and his teammates had better get used to playing in big games.

“I’d be lying if I said, with how far we’ve come and everything we’ve done, if the games don’t feel any different,” Hasz said. “Games are obviously going to be bigger, and even as we go further along, hopefully bigger than this one this week.”

What: UNLV (6-1, 3-0 MWC) vs. Fresno State (6-1, 2-1 MWC)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

TV: FS1

Radio: 1100AM, 100.9FM

Line: Fresno State -9.5

UNLV leaders

Passing

Jayden Maiava: 65.2%, 1,311 yards, 5 TDs, 2 INTs

Rushing

Donavyn Lester: 325 yards, 5.6 yards per carry, 7 TDs

Receiving

Ricky White: 40 receptions, 567 yards, 2 TDs

Defense

Jackson Woodard: 59 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, 1 INT

Fresno State leaders

Passing

Mikey Keene: 68.5%, 1,692 yards, 15 TDs, 4 INTs

Rushing

Malik Sherrod: 432 yards, 6.1 yards per carry, 5 TDs

Receiving

Erik Brooks: 39 receptions, 551 yards, 4 TDs

Defense

Morice Norris: 34 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2 INTs

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