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Update 12:52 a.m. Martell drove the Rebels down into field goal range and got them on the board with the second drive of the second half. He’s 1-2 passing for 12 yards and has three carries for five yards with three minutes left in the third quarter.
We are at the game, and it’s fair to say Rebels fans have been pleased with the spark the hometown hero provided as UNLV has looked completely lifeless otherwise.
Update 12:35 a.m. Martell entered for one play on second down, and gained two yards. He was pulled before the next snap.
Tate Martell enters the game. And runs. And then he’s out. ♂️ #unlvfb pic.twitter.com/cUTvn5xAXN
— Mick Akers (@mickakers) September 19, 2021
Update 9:15 p.m. Looks like Martell will at least start the game on the bench, as Cameron Friel will get the start for the Rebels.
#UNLVfb news https://t.co/olyqy5FDzy
— Joe Arrigo (@joearrigofsm) September 19, 2021
According to multiple reports, UNLV quarterback Tate Martell could be the starting quarterback tonight for the Rebels in their tilt with No. 14 Iowa State.
Martell was the No. 1 recruit in America at Vegas’s legendary Bishop Gorman, who won a claimed national championship his senior year. He signed with Ohio State before the 2017 season, and after taking his redshirt he played in six games for the Buckeyes in 2018, going 23-28 with a touchdown pass while adding 128 yards rushing and two touchdowns. But with Justin Fields in front of him and C.J. Stroud on the way, he transferred to the Miami Hurricanes before the 2019 campaign.
He played in just three games for UM, throwing just one pass and having seven carries for seven yards while never catching a pass as a receiver. He came home to the Rebels in 2021, despite his high school coach Tony Sanchez being fired before the end of the 2020 season.
If Martell doesn’t get the start, look for freshman Cameron Friel to get the nod under center. Sophomore starter Doug Brumfield is injured and didn’t take any snaps in practice this week. We’ll update here once we know who is the starter.
It’s the first FBS vs. FBS game for UNLV in Allegiant Stadium with fans, but a packed Vegas is full of Cyclones backers that will be possibly giving a home field advantage.
Iowa State is a 32.5-point favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook.