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Nico Iamaleava throws game-sealing interception to Aamaris Brown, loses to Dan Mullen-led UNLV team

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh4 hours agogriffin_mcveigh
Nico Iamaleava
(Gary A. Vasquez)

Two weeks into his UCLA tenure, Nico Iamaleava cannot be enjoying his time. Saturday was another loss for the Bruins and the quarterback played a major role. Down seven inside a minute to go, UCLA was driving down the field looking to at least force overtime.

Instead, Iamaleava wound up throwing the game-sealing interception. His pass was deflected at the line of scrimmage and soared into the air like a flyball to centerfield. A UNLV defender, Aamaris Brown, got under the ball, secured the INT, and the party was on.

Which brings you to the other side of the story — Dan Mullen. Hired by UNLV out of the ESPN studios, the Rebels are now 3-0 under Mullen’s leadership. A first down and a couple of kneel downs were required after the turnover but the execution was flawless.

Jubilation on one side, pure heartbreak on the other. You can check out the Iamaleava interception here.

Adding another layer, Brown’s play backed up some trash talking he did earlier in the week. The UNLV linebacker was asked about Iamaleava and revealed “nothing” stands out about the quarterback. Quite the message to send on a Monday, only to deliver a few days later.

“Honestly, nothing really sticks out to me about him [on tape],” Brown said. “You know in the past there’s been talk about ‘five-star this, five-star that.’ I have been around plenty of five-star and four-star [players], it don’t scare me.

“I have played competition higher than them, including Alabama and all that. … Going against a guy like Nico, there’s no surprise, no excitement or nothing like that.”

Iamaleava finished with 255 yards, a touchdown, and the interception above. His 255 yards on 41 attempts are a little below where you want your average to be. But down seven with the ball with a chance to extend the game, UCLA brought Iamaleava into the program for those moments.

Going back to Mullen, it’s the second 3-0 start to a season for UNLV. Some much-needed rest is on the way, getting a bye week after playing in Week 0. From there, the schedule picks back up with Miami (OH) before getting Mountain West play underway against Wyoming.

Somebody has to represent the Group of Five in the College Football Playoff. UNLV could certainly make a push and getting a power conference win against UCLA will only help the resume.

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this report