9th Island Fans Show Up For UNLV/Hawaii Football Showdown Won By Rebels, 27-13, Behind Chuck Wagon’s 266 Yards, 3 TDs Saturday
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By Alan Snel of LVSportsBiz.com
The Hawaii fans far and near came to see their Rainbow Warriors battle UNLV in a football game Saturday.
They, along with UNLV’s fans, witnessed the mighty Chuck Wagon — super senior Charles Williams — ramble for a stunning 266 yards on runs of all types while also reaching the end zone three times.
UNLV got off to a very shaky start, but Williams began churning out big chunks of yardage, while the Rebels defense put the clamps on a Hawaii offense that scored a touchdown on its first play from scrimmage and never reached the end zone in the next 59 minutes..
So in the end, UNLV won its second consecutive game, 27-13, as Williams took the Rebels on his shoulders and ran 38 times.
UNLV, which started the season with eight straight losses before winning in New Mexico a week ago, gave away the ball via two interceptions and a fumble in the first half.
Yet, the Rebels found a away to tie Hawaii at the half, 10-10.
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UNLV outgained Hawaii in total yards, 214-148, to help overcome Cam Friel’s two interceptions in the first half. There was also a botched snap that was recovered by Hawaii. Friel fumbled a second time, but UNLV recovered.
Things didn’t start off too well for the football Rebs. On the very first play from scrimmage, Hawaii quarterback Chevan Cordeiro lofted a long pass to receiver Nick Mardner, who shook over a UNLV defender after he caught the ball and he took the bomb in for 6 on the 79-yard pass play.
But it was the Rainbow Warriors’ sole touchdown of the first half.
Meanwhile, Rebels star runner Charles Williams loaded up The Chuck Wagon with 120 yards of rambling and rumbling on 20 carries.
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The Rebs are having a strong third period thanks to the running bursts of Williams. The Chuck Wagon is approaching 200 yards rushing and the Rebels lead Hawaii, 20-10.
Final: UNLV 27 Hawaii 13.
From UNLV: “UNLV regained the famed golden pineapple trophy for the first time since its inaugural year of 2017.” Fascinating use of the word, “famed,” there.
Excited for those guys in that locker room right now, for the fans, for the program. Everything that goes into what we do. Obviously the defense was fabulous tonight. After the first play — 59 minutes of no touchdowns. Charles did a heck of a job up front with the line. The thing I’m most proud of behind the stat lines is the resiliency of this group when things weren’t perfect. There’s a lot of good things that can come from that, when you find out you can win that way and you can finish a game and you believe in each other. – UNLV football coach Marcus Arroyo
