Content provided by UNLV Athletics.
LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – UNLV (5-1/2-0) football won a fifth straight road game for the first time in its history, 50-34 over Utah State (1-5/0-2) at Maverik Stadium Friday night.
The Rebels turned in a record-breaking first half to blow the game open early as they won a second consecutive trip to Logan for the first time ever in a series that kicked off way back in 1971.
All-American WR Ricky White III was nearly unstoppable early, catching six passes for 128 yards and two highlight-reel touchdowns as UNLV rolled up 367 yards before halftime. White would finish with seven grabs for 138 on the night. The Reb defense turned a trio of first-half Aggie turnovers into 17 points as LB Jackson Woodard had a fumble recovery and interception during the first two quarters alone.
Jet Thomas became the fourth different Rebel this season to reach 100 net yards rushing in a game with a career-high 139 on 17 carries just one season after being the only UNLV player to hit the century mark in 2023. Kylin James later became the fifth Rebel to finish with 100-plus yards with 105 on 13 attempts, including two early touchdown runs that helped set the tone. James also added a 24-yard kickoff return.
QB Hajj-Malik Williams gutted out a 233-yard night on 13-of-20 passing that included a trio of touchdowns. He also finished with 65 net yards on 14 carries despite losing 40 yards on sacks.
UNLV led USU by 34 points at halftime but the Aggies outscored their guests 27-9 after the break.
STAT OF THE GAME:
The 41 points were the most ever scored in any half of football by UNLV vs. an FBS opponent and overall trailed only the 52 vs. Idaho State in 2015 and 42 vs. Jackson State in 2016.
REBEL OF THE GAME:
Preseason MW Defensive Player of the Year Jackson Woodard was all over the field – and stat sheet. He turned in 12 total tackles, including one-half TFL, grabbed two interceptions, recovered a fumble and added three pass breakups vs. the Aggies.
“Going into the game against these guys, I never felt good about any lead. They’ve got a good scheme and a quarterback that knows how to run their offense. We did what we needed to do. I thought Jet, Hajj and Kylin ran the ball well,“ said UNLV head coach Barry Odom. .
“Our turnovers on defense were huge because if we don’t get those it could’ve been more points for them. We’re excited to be 5-1 after six games. This is the first time in school history (we have won five straight road games), so I’m excited about that. Proud of our guys’ effort. We have a lot to get cleaned up and fixed, but we also understand winning is hard and we’ve got to find a way to do it. It took good team effort in all three phases to get that done.”
NOTABLE:
-The Rebels are 2-0 in Mountain West play for the second straight season
-UNLV has scored a combined 109 points in two games vs. MW competition this fall
-UNLV’s previous high in points scored vs. USU during a 36-20 win in 1984
-The 50 points were the third-most scored by the Rebs on the road vs. a MW opponent as they put up 56 at New Mexico in both 2013 and 2023
-UNLV, which won its fifth straight true road game, had won four straight road games only three times before this season (1984, 1983-84 and 1968-69)
-WR Ricky White III continued to climb up the school’s career record lists in multiple categories, including tying Ryan Wolfe for second all-time with his 12th 100-yard game
-USU actually outgained UNLV in total yardage, 584-546
-The Rebels rolled to 313 yards rushing as a team
-The Rebels scored 20 points off their four turnovers forced on the night
-UNLV saw its school-record streak of 157 successful kicked extra points snapped in the third quarter. It dated back to the first touchdown of the Covid-shortened season in 2020
-Utah State leads the all-time series 18-9
-UNLV traveled to players from the Beehive State: DL Waisale Muavesi from Provo and OL Austin Boyd from Lehi
UP NEXT: The Rebels continue on the road with a trip to Oregon State on Saturday starting at 7 p.m. The game will be shown nationally on The CW Network.
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