UNLV gets a big touchdown late to stun Kansas on the road and move to 3-0
The UNLV Rebels are one of the best stories in college football early on in the 2024 season.
Going into Friday night’s showdown with Kansas, both teams were unranked but it was the Rebels who had the 2-0 record. This was by far their toughest early season test and they answered it in a big way.
After falling behind 14-3 in the second quarter, the Rebels turned it up a notch and outscored the Jayhawks 20-6 the rest of the way en route to a 23-20 upset win. It was a huge win for Barry Odom’s team and it was sparked by a wild play at the end of the first half.
Trailing 14-6, the Rebels picked off Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels with under a minute to go in the first half. That set up the Rebels with a chance to get points. With time running down, the Rebels had two timeouts but failed to use them and watched the clock burn down.
Then a big play happened.
Matthew Sluka found Jai’Den Thomas down the left sideline for a 27-yard touchdown. It helped cut the lead down to 14-13 before the break and gave UNLV all the momentum.
If you had either Kansas 1H spread -5 or the 1H Under 28
Do not watch this play pic.twitter.com/8xt1H2CgEj
— Barstool Gambling (@stoolgambling) September 14, 2024
In the second half, the Rebels added a field goal early to pull to within one at 17-16. After Kansas scored a field goal, it was time for Sluka to work some magic again.
The quarterback led a 14-play drive that went 75 yards and took 9:31 off the clock, ending on a Kylin Jams one-yard touchdown run on fourth and goal for the go-ahead score. UNLV sacked Daniels on fourth and 15 to seal the deal.
Sluka finished the game with just 86 yards passing but had 113 rushing yards on the day.
What’s next for UNLV?
The 3-0 start is huge for the Rebels, marking the first time since 1984 they won their first three games of the season. It also helps keep their College Football Playoff chances alive early as a potential Group of Five conference champion.
UNLV will have a week off before hosting Fresno State in their first Mountain West game of the season on September 28th.
