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INGLEWOOD, Calif. — In an impressive display of resilience, UNLV has marked its most successful season in the Football Bowl Subdivision, despite the challenges of losing both its starting quarterback after just three games and its head coach a mere ten days prior. The Rebels, ranked 24th, celebrated their 11th victory of the season by overpowering California 24-13 in the LA Bowl on Wednesday night, securing their first bowl win in 24 years.

“This is exactly how we wanted to finish it. Not many people can say they got 11 wins in a season,” linebacker Jackson Woodard reflected, proudly acknowledging his selection as the game’s Defensive MVP.

Hajj-Malik Williams threw for two touchdowns while Kylin James added a rushing touchdown for the Rebels, who concluded their season with an 11-3 record. This win marks the first time since beating Arkansas in the 2000 Las Vegas Bowl that UNLV has triumphed in a bowl game, as well as marking 11 victories in a season for the first time as an FBS program.

With Barry Odom’s recent departure to Purdue on Dec. 8, Del Alexander stepped in as the interim head coach—a position he held during UNLV’s last bowl victory. “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,” stated Alexander.

Dan Mullen, who was hired last Thursday to lead the UNLV program next season, was present to witness the historic moment.

California, finishing with a 6-7 record, struggled due to the absence of quarterback Fernando Mendoza and leading wide receiver Nyziah Hunter, both of whom have entered the transfer portal.

UNLV took an early 7-3 lead in the first quarter when Williams connected with Kayden McGee for a 49-yard touchdown. McGee, a freshman, showcased his talent by catching the ball at the 13 and sprinting into the end zone for his first college touchdown.

The Rebels reclaimed the lead 14-10 early in the second quarter when Jacob De Jesus scored on a shovel pass, which was preceded by a successful fake punt that culminated in a 52-yard advance to the Cal 9 by Marshall Nichols and Cameron Oliver. “My head was in the clouds, and (special teams) coach (James) Shilbest said, ‘Hey, you want to run it?’ I didn’t figure out where the ball was, but I went with it,” Alexander recalled.

De Jesus was named the Offensive MVP of the game, contributing a notable 38-yard punt return in the fourth quarter that set up a field goal by Caden Chittenden.

With a tight 14-13 lead at the half, the Rebels extended their advantage in the third quarter when James powered through for a 23-yard touchdown run. The shift in momentum came after Jett Elad recovered a fumble from Cal quarterback EJ Caminong.

Williams concluded his performance with 5 of 18 passing for 96 yards while Jai’Den Thomas added 72 yards from 18 carries. Williams took up the starting quarterback role after Matthew Sluka left the program due to disputes over naming, image, and likeness rights.

CJ Harris made his debut as Cal’s starting quarterback, completing 13 of 20 passes for 109 yards before leaving the field due to injury. Caminong finished the game with 6 completions on 19 attempts for 57 yards. Jayden Ott contributed significantly for Cal, rushing for 84 yards across 11 carries.

The Golden Bears’ only touchdown arrived with just 19 seconds left in the first quarter, as Josiah Martin executed a 29-yard reverse play to briefly give Cal a lead at 10-7.

California had a promising opportunity to recapture the lead just before halftime with a second-and-goal situation at the UNLV 1-yard line, but they fell short, resulting in a field goal from Ryan Coe.

“The game came down to the fake punt they scored off of; we had the ball at the 2-yard line and couldn’t quite get it in the end zone,” remarked Cal coach Justin Wilcox. “Unfortunately, we turned the ball over, missed a field goal, and that fake punt proved costly.”

Looking ahead, both teams are set to kick off the 2025 season on the road on August 30, with UNLV heading to Sam Houston State while Cal will face former Pac-12 rival Oregon State.
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