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UNLV interim head coach Del Alexander is doused in a sports drink after leading the Rebels to an L.A. Bowl win over Cal Wednesday night at SoFi Stadium. (Ryan Sun / Associated Press)
After a season of ups and downs, hit by departures that tested a program still adjusting to success, the UNLV Rebels rallied together with the goal of earning their 11th win.
It took nearly 40 years, but No. 24 UNLV (11-3) clinched an 11-win season — tying the program’s single-season Football Bowl Subdivision record — with a 24-13 win over Cal (6-7) Wednesday during the L.A. Bowl played at SoFi Stadium.
The Rebels were led by dual-threat quarterback, Hajj-Malik Williams, in the bowl game just as they were decades ago during their previous best season when Randall Cunningham directed the UNLV offense.
Described by teammates and coaches as a winner, Williams — an Football Championship Subdivision transfer in his first and only season at UNLV — took over as the starting quarterback three games into the season and guided the Rebels to their first bowl win in 24 years.
Read more: Four things to watch in the LA Bowl between Cal and UNLV, two teams in flux
Although his performance wasn’t as dominant as expected, Williams did enough to secure the win for the Rebels. He ignited the offense, completing five of 18 passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns while adding 27 yards on 10 carries.
While UNLV entered the game with clarity at quarterback, Cal weighed two options: veteran CJ Harris and true freshman EJ Caminong.
Golden Bears coach Justin Wilcox opted to start Harris, but he switched signal callers in the third quarter. The move proved costly when a backward pass by Caminong later in the quarter led to a turnover, setting up a rushing touchdown by UNLV’s Kylin James that extended the Rebels lead to 21-13.
UNLV added a 48-yard field goal by Caden Chittenden in the fourth quarter and continued to play stout defense to secure the win.
Harris completed 13 of 20 passes for 109 yards, adding…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/unlv-closes-one-best-seasons-060623394.html
Author : LA Times
Publish date : 2024-12-19 06:06:00
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