SOUTH BEND, Ind. – UNLV football is about 20 minutes away from its first-ever matchup against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana. Follow along on our live blog for updates:
Final: Notre Dame 44, UNLV 21
The Rebels have lost three-straight games by at least 23 points and have a bye week. They return to the field Nov. 4 to face San Diego State on the road.
8:02 4th Quarter: On fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Bailey hands off to Younge-Humphrey for a UNLV touchdown, his second of the day. Two plays previous to the score, Kyle Williams went down with an apparent ankle injury after he was hit near the goal line. Williams was helped off and appeared to be in obvious pain. It’s 37-21 Notre Dame
11:59 4th Quarter: Notre Dame takes over seven minutes off the clock with a touchdown drive. Chris Tyree runs it in from 8-yards out to make it a 37-14 lead for the Fighting Irish.
End of 3rd Quarter: Notre Dame still leads 30-14. The Fighting Irish are driving to the Rebels’ 29-yard line. Aside from Reese’s two big runs, there has not been any flow to the Rebels’ offense. UNLV will need a stop right now and some quick scores to get themselves any chance at a comeback.
8:06 3rd Quarter: UNLV cuts into the lead with a 3-yard touchdown run from Bailey. Reese help set up the Rebels with a 47-yard run, he’s now over 100 rushing yards in a game for the first time in his career. Rebels score on a nine play, 76-yard drive that goes for 3:34. Notre Dame still leads 30-14.
11:49 3rd Quarter: UNLV catches a couple of breaks. A Notre Dame touchdown as called back after replayed showed the runner’s knee was down. And the Fighting Irish miss a 42-yard field goal that hits off the left upright. UNLV ball at its own 24-yard line, still trailing 30-7. Bailey is in at quarterback for the Rebels.
12:57 3rd Quarter: UNLV’s offense appeared to be making progress when Friel connected with Williams for a 22-yard pass that set the Rebels up near midfield. But the offense stalled out and on fourth down, Friel was sacked. Notre Dame ball at UNLV’s 42-yard line.
Halftime: Notre Dame 30, UNLV 7. It’s been a struggle for UNLV’s offense to get anything going. 74 of its 135 first half yards came from a Courtney Reese run that set up their eventual touchdown.
The Rebels’ defense has done a respectable job of holding Notre Dame’s offense to three field goals, but by being on the field for so many possessions, they are starting to look a bit tired.
Friel is 7 of 12 for 58 yards and has been sacked three times. Bailey was 1 of 4 in his two drives. There have been several drops by the Rebels’ receivers.
4:10 2nd Quarter: Notre Dame takes advantage of another short field. A direct snap to tight end Mitchell Harris and he goes in on a 1-yard run. Notre Dame’s drive goes for six plays, 46 yards in 3:04. The Fighting Irish extend their lead to 30-7.
7:14 2nd Quarter: UNLV forces a turnover on downs inside its own 10-yard line. Rebels will get the ball back at their own 6-yard line but cannot do anything, as they punt on fourth-and-1. Notre Dame will get possession back at UNLV’s 46-yard line leading 23-7.
11:48 2nd Quarter: UNLV goes for it on fourth-and-2 at Notre Dame’s 35-yard line and appear to convert, but Ricky White is called for offensive pass interference. The Rebels punt it back and the Fighting Irish will have it at their own 25-yard line.
End of the 1st Quarter: It’s 23-7 Notre Dame. UNLV’s defense appeared to settle down after the opening drive score. But with Notre Dame starting four drives in UNLV territory, the Fighting Irish took advantage for 16 unanswered points.
4:02 1st Quarter: Another three and out for the Rebels’ offense leads to a punt. That punt was blocked and Notre Dame recovers at the UNLV 6-yard line. The Rebels hold the Irish to a 27-yard field goal attempt which is good. 20-7 Notre Dame.
6:24 1st Quarter: UNLV forces Notre Dame to a three and out. On the ensuing UNLV drive, Harrison Bailey comes in at quarterback and on three straight pass plays, the Rebels are punting. UNLV’s punt is blocked and Notre Dame has the ball at the Rebels’ 20-yard line.
Two plays later Notre Dame gets another touchdown. Drew Pyne finds Michael Mayer on a 20-yard pass. It’s 17-7 Notre Dame.
9:10 1st Quarter: Courtney Reese breaks off a 74-yard run to set the Rebels up with first and goal at the 1-yard line. On second and goal from the 2-yard line Friel pitches it to Jordan Younge-Humphrey on the option for a 2-yard touchdown run. Daniel Gutierrez knocks down the extra point and UNLV cuts into Notre Dame’s lead, 10-7.
10:06 1st Quarter: A good stand by UNLV’s defense after Notre Dame started in the Rebels’ side of the field. UNLV holds Notre Dame to a 43-yard field goal and it’s 10-0 Irish.
12:26 1st Quarter: Not a good opening drive for the Rebels. Friel throws three incompletions, two were dropped and the Rebels have to punt. On the punt, UNLV commits a fair catch interference penalty. Notre Dame will get the ball at UNLV’s 43-yard line when play resumes.
12:35 1st Quarter: Notre Dame goes 75 yards on six plays in 2:25 to get on the board first with a 12-yard touchdown run from Audric Estime. UNLV’s defense allowed passing plays of 23-yards and a 37-yard play on third-and-10 on the drive. UNLV linebacker Austin Ajiake dropped what would have been an interception when the Irish were near midfield. 7-0 Notre Dame.
15:00 1st Quarter: The Rebels won the toss and have deferred to the second half. Ryan O’Hara’s kickoff goes in the back of the endzone and the Irish will get the ball at their own 25-yard line.
The Rebels will be without sophomore starting quarterback Doug Brumfield. Sophomore Cameron Friel is expected to start in his place.
Junior running back Aidan Robbins is also out after suffer a knee injury against Air Force last Saturday. Starting wide receiver Kyle Williams is suited up and will be active for UNLV.
UNLV is a 27-point underdog to Notre Dame (3-3). The Rebels are coming off back-to-back blowouts of at least 30 points, San Jose State (33 points two weeks ago) and Air Force (35 points last Saturday).
If the Rebels (4-3, 2-2 Mountain West) are able to pull off the upset, it would be one of the biggest wins in program history and set them up for a good opportunity to make a bowl game for the first time since 2013.
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