The go go offense was slow to start and stalled when needed most as Boise battered the Rebels 21-7 in the 2024 Old Trapper MWC championship game.

The UNLV Rebels corralled Heisman hopeful Ashton Jeanty about as well as could be expected in UNLV's 29-24 loss earlier in the season. Aside from a back-breaking 75 yard run to put the Broncos up 21-0 just before the half, the Rebels contained Jeanty well again.

In both games against the Rebels, the Broncos managed to score a pivotal touchdown just before halftime. In the regular season, Boise scored with six seconds before halftime. Last night in the frigid cold of Boise, Jeanty scorched 75 yards for the score with 29 seconds before halftime.

The story of the game, however, was a slow moving offense compounded by the frustrating inability to move the ball in the red zone once fortune was found.

In falling behind early, the offense only mounted one significant drive in the first half as the Bronco defensive line bullied the Rebels and quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams. And even that productive drive came up empty as freshman kicker Caden Chittenden's 48-field goal attempt clanked the crossbar and bounced back into the end zone.

Boise controlled the game from the outset, playing mistake free football. The Broncos were flagged for only one penalty and avoided any turnovers, an area in which the Rebels have thrived all year long, but it was the second game in which the Broncos were secure with the ball against the Rebels.

The Rebel defense responded in the second half, holding Jeanty to 74 yards on 18 carries and forcing five straight Bronco punts. With Boise not scoring in the second half, it left UNLV will a little hope.

In the middle of the third quarter, the Rebels got their big play. Kylin James rambled 86 yards to give the Rebels a first and goal from the five yard line. But, as has happened so many times throughout the season, the Rebel offense stalled in the red zone. The series started with a delay of game and was worsened by a short run and a sack and a well covered incompletion to target Ricky White. Down three scores, the Rebels elected to go for it on 4th and 10, but William's pass was sailed high in the end zone giving the ball back to the Broncos.

The Rebel defense remained stout and the Rebel offense finally produced points when Las Vegas native Greg Burrell shot up the middle for a 31 yard touchdown on a fourth and one.

With time winding down, the Rebel defense forced a quick three and out and the offense started moving again. A Williams scramble placed the ball at the Boise 8 yard line. Once again, a false start penalty started the series and it was followed by a rush for a loss and a sack. Two incompletions later and the Broncos were able to run out the clock.

Jeanty strengthened his case for the Heisman with 209 yards on 32 attempts. The Rebels actually out-rushed the Broncos 217-215 with nearly all the damage coming in the second half. Hajj-Malik Williams kept plays alive with his legs, but struggled through the air on 13-28 passes for only 110 yards. Ricky White was targeted 12 times, but only hauled in four catches for 21 yards.

The Broncos broke UNLV's eight game road win streak and earned a spot in College Football Playoff with a chance at a first round bye.

The loss will send the Rebels to a favorable bowl game, perhaps the to the LA Bowl on December 18th against USC with Jayden Maiava, who started at UNLV last season.