INGLEWOOD, Calif. (AP) — Regardless of shedding its beginning quarterback after three video games and head coach 10 days in the past, UNLV had its finest season within the Soccer Bowl Subdivision.
The Twenty fourth-ranked Rebels picked up their eleventh win and first bowl victory in 24 years Wednesday night time after they pulled away within the second half and beat California 24-13 within the LA Bowl.
“This is exactly how we wanted to finish it. I mean, not many people can say they got 11 wins in a season,” stated linebacker Jackson Woodard, who the Defensive MVP of the sport.
Hajj-Malik Williams handed for 2 touchdowns and Kylin James ran for an additional for the 11-3 Rebels, who gained for the primary time in a bowl recreation since beating Arkansas within the 2000 Las Vegas Bowl. It additionally gave the Rebels 11 wins for the primary time as an FBS program.
Del Alexander, an assistant when UNLV final gained a bowl recreation, was the interim head coach after Barry Odom departed for Purdue on Dec. 8.
“It means a lot. I’ve done this so many times that it is a big deal for the players to experience. For them to feel it and get the reward and establish the legacy, it’s important for them,” Alexander stated.
Dan Mullen, who will take over UNLV’s program subsequent season after being employed final Thursday, was in attendance.
Cal (6-7), which hasn’t had a profitable season since 2019, was lacking quarterback Fernando Mendoza and main broad receiver Nyziah Hunter, after each entered the switch portal.
UNLV took a 7-3 lead in the course of the first quarter when Williams related with Kayden McGee for a 49-yard landing strike. The freshman acquired behind Cal’s secondary on a put up sample, caught the ball on the 13 and simply bumped into the tip zone for his first collegiate TD.
The Rebels went again on high 14-10 early within the second quarter as Jacob De Jesus took a shovel move 12 yards after which did a backflip after scoring. The landing got here a play after a profitable faux punt when Marshall Nichols lobbed the ball to Cameron Oliver for a 52-yard acquire to the Cal 9.
“My head was in the clouds and (special teams) coach (James) Shilbest said, `Hey, you want to run it?’ I mean, I didn’t figure out where the ball was and I said, go. I’ve seen it every day in practice for a year or two years,” Alexander stated. “I think I was facing the wrong way, but I saw it go and said ‘OK, good.'”
De Jesus, the sport’s Offensive MVP, additionally had a 38-yard punt return in the course of the fourth quarter to arrange a area purpose by Caden Chittenden.
UNLV had a 14-13 lead at halftime however prolonged its result in eight with 2:13 remaining within the third quarter when James went 23 yards up the center. The Rebels regained possession after Jett Elad recovered the ball after Cal quarterback EJ Caminong fumbled on a lateral.
Williams was 5 of 18 for 96 yards whereas Jai’Den Thomas had 18 carries for 72 yards.
Williams took over as UNLV’s beginning QB when Matthew Sluka left this system after three video games due to a reputation, picture and likeness dispute.
CJ Harris acquired his first begin at Cal and accomplished 13 of 20 passes for 109 yards in 2 1/2 quarters of motion earlier than being injured. Caminong went the remainder of the best way and was 6 of 19 for 57 yards.
Jayden Ott rushed for 84 yards on 11 carries.
The Golden Bears’ lone landing got here with 19 seconds remaining within the first quarter when Josiah Martin went 29 yards on a reverse to offer Cal a short-lived 10-7 benefit.
Cal had an opportunity to take the lead earlier than halftime. It had second-and-goal on the UNLV 1 earlier than Martin misplaced 2 yards on a run and Harris was sacked for a 9-yard loss, leaving them to accept Ryan Coe’s second area purpose.
“The game came down to the fake punt they got a score off of, we had the ball at the 2-yard line and couldn’t quite get it in the end zone,” coach Justin Wilcox stated. “We, unfortunately, had a turnover that turned into a touchdown. Missed field goal. … But, obviously, the fake punt was a tough one, so really unfortunate that we couldn’t quite get that done.”
Takeaways
Cal: The Golden Bears acquired into UNLV territory solely as soon as on their eight second half drives.
UNLV: The victory must also imply the Rebels will probably be ranked within the ultimate Related Press High 25 ballot for the primary time. A Mountain West workforce has gained three of the 4 LA Bowls.
Up subsequent
Each groups are slated to open the 2025 season on the highway on Aug. 30. UNLV will probably be at Sam Houston State and Cal faces former Pac-12 foe Oregon State.
