In a stunning display of offensive power, the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels secured a 50-34 victory over Utah State in Logan, Utah, on Friday night. The game was effectively decided in the first half, where UNLV set a program record by scoring an incredible 41 points. This win helps the Rebels bounce back from a tough overtime loss last week and improves their season record to 5-1.
Rebels Unleash an Offensive Onslaught from the Start
From the very first whistle, UNLV made it clear they were there to dominate. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams connected with Jacob de Jesus for a 38-yard pass on the first play, setting an aggressive tone. Just a few plays later, Kylin James scored a five-yard rushing touchdown to give the Rebels an early lead they would never surrender.
The entire first half was an offensive masterclass. By the time the teams headed to the locker room, UNLV had already put the game away with a commanding 41-7 lead.
The offensive highlights were numerous:
- The team racked up 367 yards of total offense before halftime.
- The 41 points scored in the half set a new program record for UNLV against an FBS opponent.
- Receiver Ricky White III was a primary target, catching 7 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns in a stellar performance.
The ground game was equally unstoppable. Kylin James finished with 101 yards and three touchdowns, while Jai’Den Thomas added another 139 rushing yards to the team’s impressive total.
A Record-Breaking Second Quarter Seals the Deal
While the first quarter was strong, the second quarter was when UNLV truly put the game out of reach. The Rebels scored 27 unanswered points, dismantling the Utah State defense with ruthless efficiency. The surge started with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Williams to Casey Cain.
An interception by Jackson Woodard on the following drive gave the ball right back to the hot-handed offense, leading to more points. Even the special teams got in on the action, with kicker Caden Chittenden adding a 49-yard field goal. Williams then found Ricky White III for a 31-yard touchdown to cap the explosive half.
| Key 2nd Quarter Stats: UNLV | |
|---|---|
| Points Scored | 27 |
| Rushing Yards | 122 |
| Interceptions Forced | 2 |
| Field Goals Made | 2 |
Aggies’ Misery Continues with Fifth Straight Loss
For Utah State, the loss extends a painful losing streak to five games, their worst since the 2016 season. Despite a statistically strong game from quarterback Spencer Petras, who threw for 358 yards and three touchdowns, the team couldn’t overcome its early mistakes.
Turnovers and defensive breakdowns in the first half created a hole too deep for the Aggies to climb out of. Two interceptions, including one by UNLV’s Jett Elad, killed promising drives and stopped any potential momentum. A fumble by Petras also gave UNLV excellent field position, which they quickly converted into another touchdown. The defense struggled mightily, allowing over 200 rushing yards to the combination of James and Thomas.
What This Win Means for Both Teams
This victory was a crucial statement for UNLV. After being knocked out of the AP Top 25 rankings following their loss to Syracuse, this dominant performance puts them right back in the conversation for the Mountain West conference title. They are now 5-1 overall and a perfect 2-0 in conference play.
“After Syracuse, we knew we had to come out aggressive — and we did,” quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams said after the game.
The outlook for Utah State (1-5, 0-2 Mountain West) is far more challenging. With five consecutive losses, their hopes for a bowl game appearance are quickly fading. The team will need to find answers on both sides of the ball to salvage the remainder of its season.
