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For the first time this season, the UNLV Football team came up short in a game and it came down to a late turnover that served as the final nail in the coffin.
Quarterback Doug Brumfield was intercepted late in the team’s 20-14 loss to the California Golden Bears Saturday, Sept. 10.
Under head coach Marcus Arroyo, the Rebels have never won back-to-back games. In Week 0, the team beat Idaho State, 52-21.
Now 1-1 on the season, UNLV will return home for its final of three straight non-conference games to open the year.
Next week, the Rebels will host the North Texas Mean Green Saturday, Sept. 17 from Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m.
Brumfield’s game-sealing interception came on a 3rd and 27 after he had been sacked on back-to-back plays. The sack on first down pushed the offense back 13 yards while the second added four more yards to the total.
On the day, Brumfield was sacked three times including those two on the final offensive drive of the game for UNLV.
Brumfield did throw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Kyle Williams in the second quarter as part of his three-reception, 52-yard night.
Fellow wide receiver Ricky White added a team-high 59 yards on four catches.
Brumfield went 18-for-33, throwing for 206 yards with a touchdown and interception.
Running back Aidan Robbins scored the team’s only other score on the day in the form of a 31-yard scamper in the third quarter.
Robbins finished the night with 84 yards on 14 rushes and a touchdown on his longest run of the day.
After Robbins’ touchdown run, Rebels kicker Daniel Gutierrez was able to secure the onside kick; an onside kick that he recovered himself.
That ensuing drive saw Brumfield rush for four yards on a 4th and 7 causing a turnover on downs.
UNLV found itself down early behind a 14-0 start by the home team. In fact, Cal scored its 14 points in the first 11:08 of the game.
Both touchdowns were scored by Golden Bears running back Jaydn Ott, one on the ground and one through the air. By the end of the contest, he racked up 68 all purpose yards on 10 touches.
Even with the fast start, the Rebel defense had moments that provided the offense with second chances in most cases.
Linebacker Kyle Beaudry sacked Cal’s Jack Plummer in the first quarter causing a fumble but ultimately it was recovered by the offense.
Defensive back Jerrae Williams picked Plummer off in the second quarter only to have the offense punt the ball away on the ensuing drive.
The real issue for the defense came in the form of penalties and mainly penalties that provided the Golden Bears with a new set of downs.
UNLV was penalized eight times for a total of 105 yards. Cal was awarded seven first downs on the heels of penalties.
The Golden Bears were penalized five times for 40 yards.
Defensive back Nohl Williams was flagged for defensive pass interference on a 3rd and 10. That drive, Cal added a field goal for 20 points on the day.