Key injuries, backup heroics, scoring runs, miscues and broken coverage, fumbles and picks peppered a wild affair that was finished off with kicker Jose Pizano's 36 yard field goal after being set up by a 48 yard pass completion from backup quarterback Jayden Maiava to Ricky White.

With the UNLV (2-1) offense sputtering, Vanderbilt (2-2) jumped out to a 17-0 lead early in the second quarter. Rebel starting quarterback Doug Brumfield was drilled as he was intercepted by Martel Hight who returned it 37 yards for a touchdown to open the scoring midway through the first quarter. During the quarter, Vanderbilt dominated the line of scrimmage, holding the Rebels to only 11 yards and one first down.

In UNLV's ensuing possession after falling behind 7-0, Brumfield was sacked on back to back plays by BJ Diakite. Brumfield then exited the game with injury, leaving the duties to backup redshirt freshman Jayden Maiava. Maiava capitalized on the opportunity in completing 19 of 33 passes for 261 yards with a touchdown and interception. He also ran for a 24-yard TD.

Staked to that large first quarter lead, the Commodores unravelled in the second quarter. The Commodores lost two fumbles and were picked off late in the first half to set up the go ahead field goal for the Rebels at 20-17.

Perhaps the key play of the game, Vanderbilt botched the exchange on an end around and Rebel Jerrae Williams rambled 41 yards to tie the game at 17 apiece.

UNLV extended their scoring run to 30 straight points in the third quarter after Maiava made the proper read and scampered 32 yards into the end zone.

Before the Rebels could get too comfortable, the Commodores were able to respond with 13 straight points of their own in the fourth quarter, tying the game at 30 with 4:47 left in the game.

On the next series, Maiava converted with his legs on a key 3rd and 4 to set up what appeared to be the game winner. Maiava connected with speedster Jacob De Jesus from 48 yards to put the Rebels ahead at 37-30 with only 2:23 remaining in the game.

However, that lead remained for just over one minute. Amid defensive confusion, AJ Swann found Quincy Skinner wide open from 34 yards out to tie the game at 37 with 1:12 remaining.

Things went to bad from worse for the Rebels. On the next play from scrimmage, Maiava made the biggest mistake of the game. Nicholas Rinaldi intercepted an errant toss from Maiava and returned it 13 yards to set up Vandy heroics.

The Commodores, already in field goal range, used some runs to eat up clock and set up positioning for the game winning field goal. With 44 second left in the game, kicker Jacob Borcila missed wide right from 33 yards out.

With overtime on the horizon, UNLV took advantage of the slim window of opportunity. After an incompletion and short run, Vanderbilt elected to stop the clock in hopes of setting up a special teams play. Soon after, Maiava connected with Ricky White for 48 yards out, White escaping out of bounds to stop the clock at 5 seconds and the Rebels at the Vandy 18 yard line. After a disappointing first two games, White enjoyed a career best 12 catches for 165 yards.

Pizano lined up and calmly drilled the 36 yard game winner.

The Rebels finish up their non-conference schedule next Saturday at UTEP. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. PST and can be viewed on ESPN+.