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Air Force vs. UNLV: Game Preview, TV & Radio Schedule, Livestream, Odds, More
The Air Force Falcons and UNLV Rebels both look to notch their first Mountain West win on Saturday. Here’s how to watch.
Contact/Follow @MattK_FS & @MWCwire
Who will come out on top in a must-win for both sides?
WEEK 8: Air Force Falcons (2-4, 0-3 Mountain West) vs. UNLV Rebels (2-4, 0-2 MW)
WHEN: Friday, October 19 — 8:00 PM MT/7:00 PM PT
WHERE: Sam Boyd Stadium; Las Vegas, Nevada (36,800)
TV: CBS Sports Network
STREAM: Get a one-week trial of FuboTV.
RADIO: The Air Force broadcast can be found in and around Colorado Springs on KVOR 740 AM. It can also be found in Denver on 104.3 FM and on satellite radio: Sirius channel 137 and XM channel 201.
SERIES RECORD: Air Force leads the series 15-6. In the last meeting on October 14, 2017, the Falcons defeated UNLV, 34-30, in Colorado Springs.
WEBSITES: GoAirForceFalcons.com, the official Air Force athletics website | UNLVRebels.com, the official UNLV athletics website
GAME NOTES (PDF): UNLV | Air Force
ODDS: Air Force -12.5
STAT PROFILES: link
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The Air Force Falcons and UNLV Rebels both need a win to remain in contention for a bowl berth, so they square off on Friday night with plenty at stake. Both also look to escape some recent déjà vu, as well, as the Falcons fought their way through another rain-soaked loss to San Diego State and the Rebels hope to avoid a third straight blowout loss.
It may come down to which running attack scuffles less, though Air Force definitely has an upper hand in the trenches. Their defensive Stuff Rate, the percentage of plays stopped at or behind the line of scrimmage, ranks 13th among FBS teams (26%) while UNLV is 73rd (19%).
Looking at the other side for the Rebels offense and the ground game, there are concerns. With Armani Rogers sidelined with a foot injury, the quarterback play by Max Gilliam has not helped the ground game. Rogers was a key component in moving the ball himself and also getting Lexington Thomas and others involved. In the two games Rogers has been out UNLV had its two worst games on the ground with 197 total rushing yards, and that two-game total is over 100 total rushing yards less than the worst rushing game which was 308 yards against USC.
Gilliam is making his third career start and his prior two have not gone all that well by completing just 47 percent of his passes, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. The bigger glaring number is 67: That is the points in which UNLV has been outscored in the two loses where Gilliam was under center. Unless the rushing game gets going it will be hard for UNLV to get a victory over the Falcons.
Air Force has three options at quarterback and has been playing multiple one’s all year. The player that head coach Troy Calhoun really likes is Donald Hammond III, but he has been banged up and may not play against UNLV on Friday night. The plus side is that Arion Worthman and Isaiah Sanders are experienced players with multiple games under their belts so the production may not take a huge dip with Sanders or Worthman.
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