UNLV Secures First Bowl Win Since 2000, Tops Cal 24-13

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UNLV LA Bowl victory/ UNLV beats Cal/ LA Bowl results 2024/ college football bowl season/ UNLV first Top 25 ranking/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ No. 24 UNLV capped a historic season with a 24-13 victory over Cal in the LA Bowl, securing its first bowl win in 24 years. Hajj-Malik Williams threw two touchdowns, and the Rebels’ defense shined as the team reached 11 wins for the first time in its FBS history.

UNLV interim head coach Del Alexander is dunked after the team’s victory against California during the LA Bowl NCAA college football game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

UNLV Secures 24-13 LA Bowl Win Over Cal: Quick Looks

Historic Win: First bowl victory since 2000, achieving an 11-3 record.
Standout Performances: Hajj-Malik Williams threw two TDs; Jacob De Jesus named Offensive MVP.
Defensive Effort: Rebels held Cal to one second-half drive in UNLV territory.
Key Moments: Fake punt and third-quarter fumble recovery shifted momentum.
Cal’s Struggles: Missing key players, Cal’s offense faltered in critical moments.
New Era: Dan Mullen takes over as UNLV head coach next season.

UNLV Secures First Bowl Win Since 2000, Tops Cal 24-13

Deep Look

UNLV’s football program celebrated a milestone victory Wednesday night, defeating Cal 24-13 in the LA Bowl at SoFi Stadium. The Rebels secured their first bowl win in 24 years, completing a remarkable 11-3 season that overcame significant challenges, including a midseason quarterback change and a coaching transition.

Offensive Stars Shine

Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams threw for 96 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Kylin James added a pivotal 23-yard touchdown run in the third quarter. Jacob De Jesus, named the game’s Offensive MVP, contributed a 12-yard shovel pass touchdown and a crucial 38-yard punt return in the fourth quarter that set up a field goal.

Interim head coach Del Alexander praised the team’s resilience:

“It means a lot… It’s a big deal for the players to experience and establish this legacy.”

Defensive Dominance

UNLV’s defense played a critical role, forcing a key fumble late in the third quarter and holding Cal to just one drive in Rebel territory during the second half. Jackson Woodard, named Defensive MVP, anchored the unit’s strong performance.

Cal quarterback CJ Harris started the game but left due to injury after completing 13 of 20 passes for 109 yards. Backup EJ Caminong struggled, completing just 6 of 19 passes for 57 yards.

Key Plays and Momentum Shifts

Fake Punt: A daring 52-yard pass from Marshall Nichols to Cameron Oliver set up De Jesus’s second-quarter touchdown.
Defensive Takeaway: Jett Elad’s recovery of a Cal fumble led to James’s decisive third-quarter score.
Missed Opportunities: Cal’s second-quarter drive stalled at the UNLV 1-yard line, resulting in a field goal instead of a touchdown.

Cal coach Justin Wilcox highlighted these missed opportunities:

“The game came down to the fake punt and not converting at the goal line.”

Season Milestones and Coaching Transition

This victory marks the culmination of an extraordinary season for the Rebels, who faced adversity early when starting quarterback Matthew Sluka left the program after three games due to NIL disputes. Hajj-Malik Williams stepped up as a reliable replacement.

With this success, UNLV is likely to earn its first-ever spot in the final AP Top 25 poll. Dan Mullen, hired as the new head coach, was in attendance and will inherit a program with strong momentum.