Plot Twists Galore: UNLV Wins Back-and-Forth Game Over Cal, 39-31
Just the facts: UNLV 39 Cal 31, Rebels improve to 3-2.
More roller-coaster action: UNLV trailed, 7-0, in the first half; led, 24-7, in the third quarter; trailed, 25-24 in the fourth quarter, and came back for the 39-31 final over California of the ACC.
Give me a half-dozen scores: UNLV quarterback Jackson Arnold threw for three touchdowns, ran for two more and scored on a two-point conversion.
The power is on: UNLV is 7-2 vs. their last nine opponents from power conferences going back to 2023.
Coach’s quote: “To go out and play that type of game, that had so many ups and downs for both sides — to just battle. We come out and are struggling a little bit, the first half our defense plays unbelievable, with the exception of the one missed tackle that goes for 90 yards. The offense kind of sputtered until we got rolling and a lot of momentum. To come out in the second half and they come all the way back to take the lead and then (we showed) the grit it took for our guys to buckle down and come from behind.”
Announced attendance: UNLV says attendance was 30,632. Not sure, from this photo, there were more than 30,000 fans in the building. It must be tickets distributed.
Just get to the fourth quarter with the lead: UNLV improved to 29-1 since the start of 2023 when leading after the third quarter.
Next foe: North Dakota State at Allegiant Stadium, 4 PM Oct. 10.
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Hugh Byrne
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — In this up-and-down season for the UNLV football team, quarterback Jackson Arnold got rolling in the first half against visiting California with two gorgeous long touchdown passes plus a 55-yard scamper to the end zone.
The Rebels enjoyed a 24-7 lead at halftime after Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele through a pass to tight end Taimane Purcell, who raced 91 yards for the game’s first score thanks to a missed UNLV tackle and the Golden Bears led, 7-0, in the first quarter.
Then it was The Arnold Show in the first UNLV home game in more than a month. The Rebels have played in four time zones and traveled more than 6,000 miles in playing three games on the road in a row while compiling a 2-2 record in the first four games.
Arnold, who played at Oklahoma and Auburn before coming to UNLV, threw a nice long ball to Kayden McGee for a 70-yard TD, ran those 55 yards for the Rebels’ second touchdown and then hit Taz Reddicks on a perfectly-thrown 36-yard score.
A 31-yard field goal by Rebels placekicker Ramon Villela gave UNLV three points and coach Dan Mullen led his team into halftime leading, 24-7, over the 2-2 Cal squad at Allegiant Stadium.
It was an eventful first half for UNLV, which produced a fake punt into a first down run by punter Matt Choules and also had a double pass trick play on offense result in an interception in the end zone.
Former Cal player and Oakland bicyclist Marshawn Lynch visited the Cal sideline:
But Cal rallied.
The Golden Bears led, 25-24, with about 12 minutes left in the final quarter before Arnold hooked up with tight end Keyan Burnett on a 10-yard TD to give UNLV the lead. Arnold then reached paydirt again via his legs from two yards out to give UNLV the winning advantage.
Arnold completed 11 of 22 pass attempts for 177 yards passing that included three TD throws. He also was the first UNLV quarterback since 2024 to run for 100 yards with 110 yards on 15 attempts, including two TD runs. Arnold has eight touchdown passes and no interceptions and leads the team with five rushing scores.
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