UNLV's defense remains a study in contrasts with four regular-season games left, a Jekyll-and-Hyde unit capable of championship-level play one half and surrendering explosive plays the next. That volatility was on full display Saturday against Northern Illinois, where the Rebels survived a 31-24 shootout despite allowing a season-high 493 yards to the winless Huskies.
The first half was a track meet, with the teams combining for 41 points and 529 yards. UNLV took a 24-17 lead into the break despite yielding seven plays of 15-plus yards. Northern Illinois finished with 15 explosive plays — 10 rushes over 10 yards and five passes over 15 yards — totaling 316 yards on those plays alone.
The second half told a different story. The Rebels allowed 264 yards after halftime but limited the Huskies to just seven points, a bend-but-don't-break effort reminiscent of wins over North Dakota State and Hawaii where UNLV allowed a combined 13 points over eight quarters. Defensive back Mumu Bin-Wahad provided the only takeaway, forcing a turnover inside the UNLV 20.
Coach Dan Mullen acknowledged the inconsistency but pointed to injuries decimating his defensive roster. "We're down a bunch of players and have some guys out that when you put a plan together in the offseason you're expecting to have that we don't have playing for us right now," Mullen said. He added he wasn't pleased with the first-half performance and wasn't sure the second half was great either, but credited the unit for making winning plays when needed.
The Rebels have now allowed more than 400 yards in five games this season, including a combined 941 yards in their last two outings. Yet with the victory, UNLV stays in the Mountain West title race, relying on a defense that seems to find a way when the game is on the line.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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