Kylin James ran for another touchdown, Hajj-Malik Williams tossed for two, and No. 24 UNLV pulled away in the second half to defeat California 24–13 in the LA Bowl on Wednesday.
It was UNLV’s first bowl victory outside of the Las Vegas Bowl and their first since 2000. For the first time as an FBS club, it also earned the Rebels (11-3) 11 victories.
After Barry Odom left for the position at Purdue on December 8, Del Alexander, who was an assistant when UNLV last won a bowl game, took over as interim head coach.
Dan Mullen, who was hired last Thursday and will lead UNLV’s program next season, was present.
Following their entries into the transfer portal, quarterback Fernando Mendoza and star wide receiver Nyziah Hunter were absent from Cal (6-7), which hasn’t had a winning season since 2019.
In the first quarter, Williams found Kayden McGee for a 49-yard touchdown pass, giving UNLV a 7-3 lead. On a post pattern, the rookie slipped past Cal’s secondary, received the ball at the 13-yard line, and went into the end zone with ease to score his first touchdown as a college football player.
Early in the second quarter, Jacob De Jesus scored a backflip after a 12-yard shovel pass, giving the Rebels a 14–10 lead again. Following a successful fake punt, Marshall Nichols threw the ball to Cameron Oliver, who gained 52 yards to score the touchdown for the Cal 9.
In the fourth quarter, De Jesus also returned a punt for 38 yards, which allowed Caden Chittenden to make a field goal.
When James raced 23 yards up the middle with 2:13 left in the third quarter, UNLV increased its lead to eight points from its 14–13 lead at the half. After Cal quarterback EJ Caminong fumbled on a lateral, Jett Elad recovered the ball, giving the Rebels back possession.
Jai’Den Thomas had 18 carries for 72 yards, while Williams was 5 of 18 for 96 yards.
In 2 1/2 quarters of action, CJ Harris completed 13 of 20 passes for 109 yards in his first start at Cal. Caminong was 6 of 19 for 57 yards as he completed the remaining distance.
On 11 carries, Jayden Ott ran for 84 yards.
With 19 seconds left in the first quarter, Josiah Martin raced 29 yards on a reverse to give Cal a brief 10–7 lead. It was the Golden Bears’ only touchdown.
Takeaways
Cal: In their eight second-half drives, the Golden Bears only entered UNLV territory once.
UNLV: The Rebels should be included in the final Associated Press Top 25 poll for the first time as a result of the victory. Three of the four LA Bowls have been won by a Mountain West team.
Up next
The 2025 season will begin on the road for both teams on August 30. Cal will play Oregon State, a former Pac-12 rival, while UNLV will visit Sam Houston State.
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