UNLV stays perfect on road, set up first-place game next week

The UNLV Rebels’ football program knew a win could set up a big conference matchup next week. It took care of business and now will turn its attention to the biggest game of the season so far.

UNLV got the win over Oregon State, 33-25, Saturday, Oct. 19 in a second straight road contest. The Beavers weren’t handed its second loss in four Mountain West games this season as part of an offseason scheduling agreement with the Pac-12.

It goes down as the third significant win over a big program for the Rebels. That runs the overall record to 6-1 this season while increasing its program record road mark to 4-0. That record away from home includes wins over Houston, Kansas and now Oregon State.

As a result of the win, head coach Barry Odom’s squad is now bowl-eligible for a second consecutive season which is another first for the program. It also sets up a first place game with the No. 15 Boise State Broncos next week.

That will be a home game from Allegiant Stadium and is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 25 with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. Allegiant Stadium is the site of the team’s only loss this season in a wild overtime finish against Syracuse.

The first turnover of the game provided UNLV to its first lead of the game. Senior safety Jalen Catalon forced the fumble while fellow senior secondary player Cameron Oliver scooped up the recovery.

Catalon came up big again on a third down when he sacked opposing quarterback Gevani McCoy during Oregon State’s first drive of the fourth quarter. The defensive leader tallied 11 total tackles with a tackle for loss and a sack to go along with that forced fumble.

The Rebel defense held the Beavers to 6-for-16 on third downs. Entering play, Oregon State ranked third in the FBS with a 55% mark on third downs. At one point in the second half, the home team failed to convert on five straight third down chances.

Overall, the team held its opponent to 138 yards in the second half in addition to the turnover. One hundred and 23 of those yards came on the final two drives of the game.

Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams gave the team its first lead on his second rushing score of the day. His first one was scored with a minute and 24 to go in the first half.

That would’ve gone have the first half this season without a touchdown for the offense led by offensive coordinator Brennan Marion. Williams accounted for three total touchdowns and 261 total yards on 15-for-27 through the air and 13 carries.

Williams’ score through the air went to All-American receiver Ricky White III. The duo chipped away throughout the game but struck gold on a 22-yard touchdown grab on a one-play fourth quarter drive following a turnover on downs.

On the next drive, Williams would be intercepted trying to make something happen on a fluttering 3rd and 5. That would set Oregon State up with the ball at its own 46-yard line.

The Beavers converted on a 4th and 4 with three seconds left in regulation. There appeared to be a false start on the ensuing play which would’ve resulted in a 10-second runoff causing the game to end.

However, the flag on the field would be picked up and the game would end following an incompletion in the end zone on the final play. There very well could’ve been a flag thrown on that last play as the intended receiver went down after appearing to get his feet tangled up.