(Photo Credit - UNLV Athletics)
The linebackers, like the defensive line, showed a dramatic difference from Week 0 to Week 1. Against Idaho State, the group was inconsistent: Marsel McDuffie graded out as one of the top defenders, but others struggled with missed tackles, soft zones, and costly receptions in coverage. Blesyn Alualu-Tuiolemotu gave up a 61-yard chunk and a touchdown, while Kamuela Ka‘aihue’s missed tackle rate was 50%. By Week 1 in Houston, things steadied. McDuffie again led the unit, Flowe added physicality, and Alualu quietly rebounded with stronger coverage. The stat sheet still showed some cracks—Ka‘aihue and Isaiah Patterson missed tackles, and the depth rotation remained uneven, but this was a linebacker group that looked more connected and less prone to game-breaking mistakes.
Stat Lines
Justin Flowe (#D36, MLB)
Week 0 – Idaho State
Snaps: TOT 11 | RDEF 5 | PRSH 3 | COV 3
Grades: DEF 76.6 | RDEF 83.1 | TACK 76.3 | PRSH 55.6 | COV 60.7
Tackling: TKL 1 | AST 1 | MIS 0 | MIS% 0.0
Coverage: TGT 1 | REC 0 | REC% 0.0 | YDS 0 | TD 0 | INT 0 | PBU 0 | NFL 0.0
Week 1 – Sam Houston
Snaps: TOT 36 | RDEF 12 | PRSH 5 | COV 19
Grades: DEF 79.1 | RDEF 77.0 | TACK 55.3 | PRSH 64.1 | COV 72.7
Tackling: TKL 2 | AST 3 | MIS 1 | MIS% 16.7
Coverage: TGT 1 | REC 1 | REC% 100.0 | YDS 5 | Y/REC 5.0 | YAC 8 | LNG 5 | TD 0 | INT 0 | PBU 1 | NFL 87.5
Marsel McDuffie (#D08, MLB)
Week 0 – Idaho State
Snaps: TOT 74 | RDEF 22 | PRSH 11 | COV 41
Grades: DEF 87.8 | RDEF 69.4 | TACK 83.2 | PRSH 75.7 | COV 85.7
Tackling: TKL 2 | AST 4 | MIS 0 | MIS% 0.0
Coverage: TGT 1 | REC 0 | REC% 0.0 | YDS 0 | TD 0 | INT 0 | PBU 1 | NFL 0.0
Week 1 – Sam Houston
Snaps: TOT 37 | RDEF 12 | PRSH 2 | COV 23
Grades: DEF 68.5 | RDEF 66.0 | TACK 82.9 | PRSH 72.8 | COV 62.5
Tackling: TKL 6 | AST 1 | MIS 0 | MIS% 0.0
Coverage: TGT 4 | REC 3 | REC% 75.0 | YDS 21 | Y/REC 7.0 | YAC 22 | LNG 15 | TD 0 | INT 0 | PBU 0 | NFL 86.5
Kamuela Ka‘aihue (#D43, MLB)
Week 0 – Idaho State
Snaps: TOT 10 | RDEF 4 | PRSH 0 | COV 6
Grades: DEF 44.5 | RDEF 36.3 | TACK 26.5 | COV 61.4
Tackling: TKL 0 | AST 1 | MIS 1 | MIS% 50.0
Coverage: TGT 1 | REC 0 | REC% 0.0 | NFL 39.6
Week 1 – Sam Houston
Snaps: TOT 39 | RDEF 13 | PRSH 2 | COV 24
Grades: DEF 68.9 | RDEF 55.9 | TACK 42.1 | PRSH 58.1 | COV 73.9
Tackling: TKL 2 | AST 1 | MIS 1 | MIS% 25.0
Coverage: TGT 2 | REC 1 | REC% 50.0 | YDS -4 | Y/REC -4.0 | YAC 0 | LNG -4 | TD 0 | INT 0 | PBU 0 | NFL 56.3
Blesyn Alualu-Tuiolemotu (#D15, MLB/WLB)
Week 0 – Idaho State
Snaps: TOT 71 | RDEF 21 | PRSH 9 | COV 41
Grades: DEF 67.0 | RDEF 73.2 | TACK 82.5 | PRSH 53.2 | COV 64.3
Pressure: TOT 1 | HUR 1
Tackling: TKL 6 | AST 0 | MIS 0 | MIS% 0.0
Coverage: TGT 7 | REC 6 | REC% 85.7 | YDS 61 | Y/REC 10.2 | YAC 79 | LNG 16 | TD 1 | INT 0 | PBU 0 | NFL 142.6
Week 1 – Sam Houston
Snaps: TOT 38 | RDEF 12 | PRSH 3 | COV 23
Grades: DEF 72.6 | RDEF 61.3 | TACK 53.0 | PRSH 57.8 | COV 75.2
Tackling: TKL 3 | AST 1 | MIS 1 | MIS% 20.0
Coverage: TGT 1 | REC 1 | REC% 100.0 | YDS 18 | Y/REC 18.0 | YAC 23 | LNG 18 | TD 0 | INT 0 | PBU 0 | NFL 118.8
Isaiah Patterson (#D54, MLB)
Week 0 – Idaho State
DNP
Week 1 – Sam Houston
Snaps: TOT 6 | RDEF 1 | PRSH 0 | COV 5
Grades: DEF 62.0 | RDEF 62.0 | COV 61.3
Tackling: TKL 0 | AST 0 | MIS 0
Conclusion
The linebackers showed noticeable improvement from Week 0 to Week 1. McDuffie remained a stabilizing force, recording six tackles with no misses against Sam Houston. Flowe expanded his role, logging 36 snaps and showing improved coverage despite one allowed reception. Alualu rebounded from a disastrous opener, where he gave up 61 yards and a score, by holding Sam Houston to just one 18-yard catch. Ka‘aihue cut his missed tackle percentage in half and showed improved range in coverage. Patterson even entered the mix, though sparingly.
Overall, the second game revealed a unit that, while not yet dominant, showed fewer breakdowns and a steadier presence. The linebackers remain central to whether UNLV’s defense stabilizes; so far, the Week 1 film suggests they’re starting to rise to the challenge.