SAN JOSE, Calif. — Jai’Den Thomas showcased his skills by rushing for 135 yards and scoring a decisive touchdown late in the third quarter, propelling No. 23 UNLV to a crucial 27-16 victory over San Jose State on Friday evening.
The Rebels improved their record to 9-2 overall and 5-1 in the Mountain West, while also holding a spot at No. 24 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The rainy weather proved challenging for both teams’ offenses, but UNLV managed to secure their first win as a ranked team after previously falling to Syracuse earlier this season.
This win keeps the Rebels’ chances alive to return to the Mountain West Conference title game, having lost to Boise State last season. For UNLV to reach the championship, they must win their final game next week and hope that Colorado State suffers at least one more defeat.
On the other hand, San Jose State faced its second consecutive loss against a ranked opponent at home, following a 42-21 defeat to No. 13 Boise State the previous week. The Spartans have now dropped 12 straight games against ranked teams since their last victory over Fresno State in 2013.
With both teams struggling to pass the ball effectively, UNLV relied heavily on their ground game in the second half to seize control. Thomas capped off a 74-yard drive with a 25-yard touchdown run, giving the Rebels a 20-16 lead late in the third period. Additional scoring came from Kylin James, who ran for a 7-yard touchdown to finalize an 80-yard drive and extend the lead to 27-16 midway through the fourth quarter.
The inclement weather contributed to a series of mistakes, including botched snaps from both sides. UNLV recovered a misfired shotgun snap at the San Jose State 17-yard line, leading to a field goal, while the Spartans earned a safety after a high snap on a punt resulted in a play that was batted out by punter Marshall Nichols.
San Jose State made a notable play with a pick-six by Isiah Revis, who returned an interception off UNLV’s Williams for a 40-yard touchdown.
In the analysis of the game, UNLV’s Hajj-Malik Williams had a rocky night, completing 11 of 20 passes for 131 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. However, the strong running game and solid defensive performance gave the Rebels their first victory in San Jose since 1993.
Conversely, San Jose State’s Walker Eget struggled in the tough conditions after throwing for 841 yards in the previous two games. He could only manage to complete 4 of 22 passes for 81 yards, including just one reception for 9 yards to star player Nick Nash, who had previously been leading the nation in various receiving statistics. The Spartans finished the game with a staggering 95 yards in penalties while recording only 112 yards of total offense.
Looking ahead, UNLV is set to host Nevada next Saturday, while San Jose State will welcome Stanford to their home field on Friday.
