PROVO, Utah -- It was during UNLV's last visit to LaVell Edwards Stadium here two years ago that Jamaal Brimmer had his coming out party.
Brimmer, a 6-foot-1, 215-pound senior from Durango High School, earned Mountain West Conference defensive player of the week honors after making eight tackles, forcing two fumbles and delivering one very crushing hit on BYU quarterback Matt Berry that resulted in his first college touchdown as UNLV won in Provo for the first time since 1981, 24-3.
The Rebels (0-4, 0-1) are hoping Brimmer can deliver an encore performance tonight when they face the Cougars (2-3, 1-0) in a nationally televised game.
Brimmer, a first-team All-American who led the MWC with six interceptions a year ago and has 8 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons, has just one sack and has yet to force a turnover in five games this year for the Rebels. However, he still ranks sixth in the conference in tackles with an average of 9.4 per game.
"It's hard to say why," Brimmer said of his interception and sack dropoff. "It seems that some plays that used to come my way aren't anymore."
There's a good reason for that, according to senior linebacker Adam Seward.
"Teams recognize things more, especially when they see Jamaal on the edge (on the blitz)," Seward said. "Give them credit. That's something we do well. Brimmer is one of the best safeties in the country, and you have to be aware of where he is and check out it. I would too."
You better believe BYU will be well aware of where Brimmer is on the field tonight, especially after what happened here two years ago.
UNLV was clinging to a 9-3 lead with 10 minutes remaining when Brimmer came untouched from the blindside to nail Berry with what has become simply known as "The Hit." The force of the blow sent Berry's mouthpiece flying one way and the ball the other. In a matter of a split-second, Brimmer alertly scooped up the ball and raced 27 yards for a game-clinching touchdown.
That play was voted the defensive play of the year in the conference by a media panel. Brimmer would also go on to earn Mountain West defensive player of the year honors.
"It was my first college touchdown, so it was special," Brimmer recalled. "But what really made it nice is the fact that we won there for the first time in like 20 years. If that play is still brought up, that's fine.
"But right now I'm just ready to get back out there and try and get another win."
Berry is now the backup to talented Cougars sophomore John Beck. And Brimmer and the rest of the Rebels secondary figure to have a busy night trying to contain BYU's talented receiving corps led by junior Todd Watkins.
"It's a big game for both teams," Brimmer said. "We're still hungry. We're at that point where it's do or die now. If we don't do it, we've got to understand we probably aren't going to go to a bowl game.
"We're just trying to get a win."
archive