UNLV Rebels drop third straight, fall 44-21 to Notre Dame

The UNLV Rebels visited the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday to finish their 2022 non-conference schedule. The Rebels lost 44-21 to the Fighting Irish, losing their third straight and dropping to 4-4 on the season.

In the first ever meeting between the two teams, the Rebels had to play the historic Fighting Irish program without their starting quarterback, Doug Brumfield, and running back, Aidan Robbins, who are both significant losses. The 2022 Rebels offense would not have been what it was early in the season without those two key players.

The Fighting Irish took an early lead after scoring on their first drive of the day, making it look easy. Brumfield’s replacement at quarterback, sophomore Cameron Friel, struggled to get anything going on his first possession and the Rebels were forced to punt. The Fighting Irish had excellent field position as a result of a short punt and they converted it into a field goal.

For the Rebels, an early 10-0 deficit was not a good sign, but Friel and the offense responded following a 74-yard run from RB Courtney Reese, putting the Rebels in a great position to score. After receiving the call, RB Jordan Younge-Humphrey scored from two yards out to reduce the deficit to 10-7.

Notre Dame scored 13 more points in the first quarter to pull ahead of UNLV for good after it appeared as though the switch had flipped for the Rebels. The Fighting Irish added another touchdown during the second quarter to lead by 30-7 at the half.

Even though the Fighting Irish offense wasn’t in full attack mode, the Rebel defense shut out the Fighting Irish in the third quarter, demonstrating that they still had fight left in them. UNLV QB Harrison Bailey, the quarter’s lone touchdown scorer, called his own number from the two-yard line to cut the deficit.

Heading into the fourth quarter, the Rebels were down 30-14. Both teams would tack on scores, but the Fighting Irish prevailed and dominated the Rebels 44-21.

Key Performers

• RB Courtney Reese rushed for 142 yards on 11 carries

• RB Jordan Younge-Humphrey rushed for two touchdowns

• QB Harrison Bailey had 98 total yards and one touchdown

The Rebels return to Mountain West play as they visit the San Diego State Aztecs on Nov. 5.