Anything Goes: A UNLV College Football 25 Dynasty presented by BigJDotCom

[bigjdotcom01]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deuce2223

Man you guy's are rolling. I guess I somehow forgot your on a 24 game win streak... Congrats.. That's something to be proud of.. I have yet to have a perfect season in this Dynasty... Nice to Utah at least beat BYU in the Holy War.. and getting close to getting back to .500 and maybe a chance at a Bowl game. The way Oregon State is playing it's almost like they want to move to the MWC and let Boise State move up to the Pac..

I have thought about moving Boise State to the PAC-12 and bouncing Oregon State, but for now no changes are imminent.

As for the winning streak, it feels like I could lose any of these games lately. I seem to pull away late but I havent had many easy games in 2032.

[bigjdotcom01]

UNLV TAMES WILDCATS
Workmanlike Win in Tucson, 24-6 Over Arizona


Ezekial Veasy had 239 all-purpose yards in UNLV's victory.

Media Ranks: UNLV 1st; Arizona 124th
Overall: UNLV 90, Arizona 82
Offense: UNLV 90, Arizona 81
Defense: UNLV 90, Arizona 84
Weather: Sunny
TV: Regional TV
Site: Arizona Stadium - Tucson, AZ (50,800)

10/30/32
Tucson, AZ (AP) – #1 UNLV continued it's winning ways on Saturday, beating last place Arizona 24-6 at Arizona Stadium in Tucson on a sunny fall afternoon. Ezekial Veasy ran for 137 yards and had 102 yards receiving as UNLV's winning streak reached 25 games.

This one started out well for UNLV with Ezekial Veasy taking the third play from scrimmage for 67 yards on a third and five to setup the Rebels with a first and goal. But on third and goal, Jose Esponda was hit as he threw the ball and it fluttered in the air with Ron Thorne intercepting the ball at the goal line for the Wildcats.

UNLV's defense forced a three-and-out and the Rebels took over in plus territory after the punt. Jose Esponda scrambled for 21 yards on the next play, but fumbled with offensve lineman Devon Brents falling on the loose ball at the 26 yard line. Four plays later, Esponda scrambled for a seven yard touchdown and UNLV had the early 7-0 lead.

Arizona's offense went right down the field on UNLV's defense with Bryce Merling completing passes of 23 yards to Elias Funk and 11 yards to Jose Thompson, to move down to the UNLV 21 yard line. But on third down, Keenan Nicks sacked Bryce Merling to force a field goal. Ross Reinhart was good from 45 yards out and Arizona was on the scoreboard, down 7-3.

On UNLV's ensuing possession, Jose Esponda tried to hit Ezekial Veasy on a go route, but did not recognize double coverage and cornerback Nelson Warmack picked him off, returning it 15 yards to midfield.

Armon Kahn had an effective day running the ball for the Wildcats. He ran it five straight times to move the ball down to the UNLV 27, but on third and seven, Bryce Merling scrambled and was hit by Tyler Ortega. He fumbled the ball and Emanuel Milano jumped on it to end the drive.

After a UNLV punt, Armon Kahn opened the next series with a 32 yard run down to the UNLV 30 yard line. On first and ten from the 20, Bryce Merling was picked off by R.J. Brady and he tried to hit Greg Friend down the right sideline.

UNLV went 93 yards in 12-plays with Jose Esponda again scrambling for a touchdown to put UNLV up 14-3. The key play on the drive was a 22 yard pass to George Slack on third and one. Esponda ran for 35 yards on the drive on three runs.

The Wildcats again drove the ball down the field and were in position to score right before halftime, but on third and 15 from the UNLV 41, Jaleel Mond picked off Bryce Merling and returned it 70 yards down to the Arizona nine yard line with 50 seconds left until halftime.

This time it was Arizona's defense that came up with a huge play as Denard Tripucka picked off Jose Esponda in the endzone as he tried to hit George Slack, and the teams went to halftime with UNLV up 14-3. Jose Esponda went 7 of 13 for 118 yards and three interceptions in the first half. Each team turned the ball over three times before halftime.

Arizona got the ball coming out of halftime and drove down to the UNLV 32 yard line but was forced to kick a field goal with Ross Reinhart connecting from 49 yards out to cut the UNLV lead to 14-6.

After the teams exchanged punts, UNLV put together another long drive, marching 78 yards in 10 plays. Jose Esponda hit Thomas Hammer for an 18 yard touchdown on third and goal to go up 21-6. It was the only third down for UNLV on the drive. Ezekial Veasy accounted for 50 yards on the drive both on the ground and through the air.

The Rebels would put together another long, time consuming drive in the fourth quarter, marching 69 yards in ten plays, eating up almost five minutes. Amani Zamora would kick a 27 yard field goal to put UNLV up 24-6. The key play on the drive was a 24 yard completion to Denard Mauldin on third and seven near midfield.

UNLV's defense would force a three and out, with Arizona punting it back to the Rebels with 3:33 left. UNLV ran the ball ten times to milk the clock and leave Tucson with the hard fought victory. It may not have been pretty but it was effective.

Jose Esponda recovered after that brutal furst half, going 11 of 12 in the second half for 92 yards with a touchdown. Ezekial Veasy become the first Rebel player to have both 100 yards rushing and 100 yards receiving in a game since Coach BigJ took over the program in 2024. Thomas Hammer only caught one pass in the game, the 18 yard touchdown in the third quarter. Keenan Nick recorded three more sacks and now has 12.0 on the year, which leads the PAC-12.

UNLV (8-0, 6-0) will now head to Los Angeles to take on USC next week in a huge showdown that will likely go a long way to determine who wins the South division. After that UNLV closes with home games against UCLA, Oklahoma and rival Nevada. Coach BigJ will be going for career win 100 next week against USC. Arizona drops to (1-8, 0-6) and will just play out the string as they look to build momentum for next season.

Jose Esponda threw one touchdown and ran for two more.


Denard Tripucka picks off Jose Esponda just before halftime.


Thomas Hammer catches his eighth touchdown on the season.


Three more sacks for junior defensive end Keenan Nicks

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#11 Washington won a triple overtime thriller over BYU 43-41. Sam Tinker and Soma Kwon combined to throw 11 touchdown passes with Washington's Josh Burns catching eight passes for 124 yards and three scores. He also had two carries for 91 yards and a score. #5 Oklahoma survived a scare in Berkeley as they scored in the final minute to rally and pull out a 26-21 victory over the Golden Bears. California's Devon Meeks picked off Oklahoma's Tremaine Colclough three times in the loss. Utah won its second straight to get back to .500 and keep their bowl hopes alive.

In the Media Poll, UNLV is #1, Oregon #2, Oklahoma #4, USC #6, and Washington #9. In the Coaches Poll, UNLV is #1, Oregon #2, Oklahoma #4, USC #6 and Washington is #9. The first College Football Playoff Poll comes out tomorrow.

Week #9: Scores:
Arizona State 29, UCLA 25
#7 USC 34 Texas 7
#2 Oregon 56, Stanford 35
#5 Oklahoma 26, California 21
#11 Washington 43, BYU 41 (3OT)
Utah 28, Oregon State 23

PAC-12 Players of the Week:
DEFENSE: Keenan Nicks (UNLV) 7 TKLs, 3 TFLs, 3.0 Sacks
OFFENSE: Josh Burns, WR (Washington) 8 rec 124 yds, 3 TD, 2 car, 91 yds, TD

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The initial College Football Playoff rankings have been released with UNLV (PAC-12) sitting atop the rankings. But since Oregin currently sits atop the PAC-12, UNLV is currently the #5 seed. The Top Four seeds with byes into the Quarterfinal Round are Oregon (PAC-12), Pittsburgh (American), Michigan (Big Ten) and NC State (ACC). The fifth conference leader with an automatic bid is Troy (C-USA). The ramaining at lare bids are Oklahoma (PAC-12), USC (PAC-12), Nebraska (Big Ten), Washington (PAC-12), TCU (Big XII), and Florida (SEC).

The first three out are Boston College (American), Notre Dame (Independent) and Central Michigan (MAC).

This year's playoff will conclude in Atlanta, GA at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Here are the projected PAC-12 Bowl matchups:
CFP 1st Round: #11 Florida at #4 Oklahoma
CFP 1st Round: #9 Washington at #7 Nebraska
CFP 1st Round: #15 Troy at #1 UNLV
CFP 1st Round: #10 TCU at #6 USC
CFP Quarterfinal (Peach Bowl): TBD vs. Oregon

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Another brutal recruiting week as five more players sign elsewhere. UNLV has yet to land a player in 2032! Our coaches are back out there scouring the landscape for players who want to play on a National Champion.

[Deuce2223]

Quote: Originally Posted by bigjdotcom01

Another brutal recruiting week as five more players sign elsewhere. UNLV has yet to land a player in 2032! Our coaches are back out there scouring the landscape for players who want to play on a National Champion.

Well it's sexy to try and land 5*, I really think the secret to building a program that can still compete year in and year out for Nattys is a class where you can land 10-15 4* and like 10 3*.

This year with Ohio State i picked like 6 5* yo put at the Top.of board and only 1 guy who didn't have me.Top 10. Then my next 10 players were guys who had OSU #1 thr next 10 are guys who have OSU Top.3 and then filled out the last 9 spots with guys who had us Top-5.

I am tired of wasting points on guys who end up at Miami, Oregon, Notre Dame, Texas..

We will see if this strategy works.. Also if I am not.Top.3.but Week 5, my plan is dump.them and lool for.guys with no scholarship offers for my.need positions. This year I only have 4 DE and 3 DT on my roster. In a typical year I would hsnr like.12-14

[bigjdotcom01]

Quote: Originally Posted by Deuce2223

Well it's sexy to try and land 5*, I really think the secret to building a program that can still compete year in and year out for Nattys is a class where you can land 10-15 4* and like 10 3*. This year with Ohio State i picked like 6 5* yo put at the Top.of board and only 1 guy who didn't have me.Top 10. Then my next 10 players were guys who had OSU #1 thr next 10 are guys who have OSU Top.3 and then filled out the last 9 spots with guys who had us Top-5. I am tired of wasting points on guys who end up at Miami, Oregon, Notre Dame, Texas.. We will see if this strategy works.. Also if I am not.Top.3.but Week 5, my plan is dump.them and lool for.guys with no scholarship offers for my.need positions. This year I only have 4 DE and 3 DT on my roster. In a typical year I would hsnr like.12-14

I have like 18 guys who still have me either #1 or in top 3 so I should do OK, but it is a bit worrisome to be this late and have none.

[bigjdotcom01]

UNLV EDGES USC
#1 UNLV Holds Off #6 USC 14-12 to Remain UNbeaten


Dean Whittaker strikes a pose in the endzone after a first quarter touchdown.

Media Ranks: UNLV 1st; USC 6th
Overall: UNLV 90, USC 89
Offense: UNLV 90, USC 89
Defense: UNLV 90, USC 90
Weather: Sunny, Warm
TV: National Game of the Week
Site: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum - Los Angeles, CA (77,500) (#1 Toughest Stadium)

11/6/32
Los Angeles, CA (AP) – It was a picturesque setting, and a fantastic football game. On Saturday afternoon, the top-ranked UNLV Rebels went into the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum and beat the sixth-ranked USC Trojans 14-12 in front of a packed house and a national television audience to remain undefeated in their quest for back-to-back National Championships.

After both teams punted to start the game, UNLV took over on their own 43. On first down, Jose Esponda threw a pass to Amar'e Capra for a short gain. After he was down the ball came loose and USC recovered it. Officials initially gave the ball to USC, but after a review, overturned the call on the field. UNLV would turn that good fortune into points as seven plays later, Dean Whittaker ran it in from five yards out on third and two to put UNLV up 7-0. A key play on the drive was a 14 yard completion to George Slack on third and 10 from the USC 27 yard line.

Midway through the second quarter, UNLV was driving and on a first and ten from the USC 39 yard line, Jose Esponda tried to hit Amar'e Capra on a deep crosser. But DeAndre Toribio undercut the route and picked the ball off to end the drive.

Late in the half, UNLV still up just 7-0, took over at their own 47 with just over a minute left until halftime. Esponda hit Thomas Hammer for a gain of six, then facing a third and 14, tried to hit Jarius Loudermilk over the middle. DeAndre Toribio was there again to step in front of Loudermilk and pick off Esponda.

Ben Kafka would scramble for a 26 yard gain to move USC into field goal range. Pat Coker booted a 38 yard field goal on the final play of the half to get USC on the board and send the teams to the locker room with UNLV up 7-3. UNLV outgained USC 136 to 85 in this defensive affair.

The Trojans opened the second half with a 14-play drive, mostly on the legs of Theo Snead and Ben Kafka, but that drive stalled at the UNLV 35 yard line. Pat Coker again came on and booted a 52 yard field goal to cut the Rebels lead to 7-6.

On UNLV's opening second half drive, they moved it down to the USC seven yard line. On first and goal, Jose Esponda had a wide open Jarius Loudermilk in the end zone, but the ball bounced off of his hands and into the arms of Carlos Spires to keep it a one point game. It was Esponda's third interception of the game.

After a USC punt, the Rebels took over on their own ten, early in the final quarter. They marched methodically down the field in 14 plays, but on a fourth and 13 from the USC 23 yard line, Amani Zamora missed a 40 yard field goal and it remained 7-6. The drive featured a 28 yard pass to Thomas Hammer on third and ten, and a nine yard pass to Hammer on fourth and three at the USC 29. It felt like UNLV was giving away too many scoring chances.

USC went three and out and punted it back to UNLV with 3:49 left. Dean Whittaker ran for 11 yards. Ezekial Veasy run up the middle for three. Dean Whittaker then ran for 11 more and UNLV had a first down at the USC 26. Jose Esponda then scrambled on third and ten, getting it inside the ten yard line, but as he was hit he lost the ball. Luckily offensive lineman Darren Antrim jumped on the ball at the six yard line at the two minute timeout. Dean Whittaker ran for a loss of one as USC used their final timeout.

On second and goal, Nick Rios came in and ran it in for a touchdown. He tried to get down before the goal line but a USC defender pushed him into the endzone and UNLV went up 14-6 with 1:41 left on the clock.

Ben Kafka and USC had to go 75 yards to possibly tie up the game. On first down Kafka hit Tavon Qualls for a 12 yard pick up. After an incompletion, on second down Kafka hit halfback Theo Snead down the seam. Somehow Sateki Tialavea was late rotating over and linebacker Tyler Ortega was trailing Snead, which gave him a clear path to the end zone and a 63 yard touchdown. The Coliseum erupted as USC would have a chance to tie it up if they could seccessfully convert the two point conversion.

USC went with the draw play to Theo Snead and it was stuffed by Tyler Ortega and UNLV remained up 14-12. Amar'e Capra recovered the onside kick and UNLV was able to kneel out their best win of the season.

The win was UNLV's 25th consecutive victory and it marked the 100th win for Coach BigJ since taking over at UNLV in 2024.

UNLV outgained USC 316 to 275 in a defensive battle. UNLV lost the turnover battle three to zero and still won which is not usually a recipe for success. Jose Esponda went 15 of 30 for 158 yards with three interceptions. Ezekial Veasy ran for 63 and caught two passes for 12 yards. Thomas Hammer caught four for 56 with Jarius Loudermilk catching four for 49 yards. Theo Snead ran for 69 yards and caught five balls for 86 yards including USC's lone touchdown.

Up next for UNLV (9-0, 7-0) will be a three game homestand to finish off the regular season. The Rebels will host UCLA (4-5, 1-5) next week, then welcome #4 Oklahoma before hosting rival Nevada. USC (7-2, 5-2) was eliminated winning the South division with the loss and will now hope to get into the College Football Playoff as an at-large team.

Seldom used Nick Rios scored the game winning touchdown for UNLV


Thomas Hammer only had four receptions, but they were all big.


Jose Esponda was stripped of the ball on this scramble late in the game.


UNLV's defense had seven sacks in this one.


Theo Snead with the big 63 yard touchdown reception late in the game.