The UNLV Rebels stunned the Kansas Jayhawks with a Kylin James plunge on fourth and goal from a yard out with two minutes left for a 23-20 upset victory over the formerly ranked home team. That scoring touchdown was the only time the Rebels would lead.
In the early going, nothing was clicking for the Rebels. The Jayhawks were able to move the ball with ease and the Rebels were falling behind matching touchdowns with field goals.
It appeared that the Jayhawks would be content with a 17-6 lead heading into half time, but Devin Neal broke for a 24 yard gain to give the Jayhawks possession at the UNLV 44 yard line.
That's when the Rebels got their first momentum changing play. Jalen Catalon notched his third interception of the year and raced down to the Kansas 33 yard line with 31 seconds remaining in the half. After a short incompletion and two timeouts, the Rebels appeared confused as the game clock ticked down. With players shuffling between the sidelines and field, UNLV finally got set and had time for one more play. Matthew Sluka found Jai'Den Thomas open on a wheel route and he scampered into the end zone from 27 yards out as time expired.
The score kept the Rebels close at the break, trailing 17-13. That's when defensive coordinator Mike Scherer and the Rebels made defensive adjustments that stymied the Jayhawks in the second half.
Early in the third quarter, Jackson Woodard stepped in front of Jalon Daniels' pass over the middle and raced down to the Kansas 4 yard line. Struggling for touchdowns in the red zone, the Rebels once again came short and ended up with their third Chittenden field goal to trail 17-16 heading into the fourth quarter.
Kansas' problems moving the ball continued, but a 41 yard field goal by Grayden Addison with 11:22 remaining in the game staked the Jayhawks to a four point lead.
The Rebels took over and used an improbable and bizarre 18 play, 75 yard, drive over the next 09:22 to put the Rebels ahead for the only time in the game. Involved in the series was a Looney Tunes type of flurry for a fumble after a Sluka scramble. The pigskin pinballed through a sea of black and blue but ended up in the hands of Jacob De Jesus at the Kansas 44 yard line.
With five minutes remaining, the Rebels were knocking at the door for the go ahead score when Sluka went over the middle to convert a fourth down at the Jayhawk one yard line. However, after the play was dead, UNLV was flagged for an unnecessary roughness to give the Rebels a first and 10 at the Jayhawk 16 yard line.
The Rebels managed to get a first and goal from the three yard line, but the Jayhawks stuffed the Rebel runners on the next two plays, placing the Rebels back at the KU 11 yard line.
That's when Sluka, who was a nightmare for the Jayhawks with his legs, put the Rebels in position to win. With heavy pressure in the pocket, Sluka bobbed and weaved and slithered and bounced his way to the Kansas 1 yard line. Sluka ended up with 143 rushing yards on the day.
Facing a fourth and goal with the outcome of the game on the line, the Rebels went to James through the pile in the middle. With so many bodies piled in the mix, replay was inconclusive and the Rebels were awarded the go ahead touchdown.
Kansas still had a chance with just under two minutes to go, but a fourth down conversion was negated by a chop block placing the Jayhaws in a 4th and 15. Defensive end Antonio Doyle put the finishing touches on the game with a sack of Daniels to leave the home fans speechless.
The Rebels are now 2-0 against the Big 12 with both wins coming with the Rebels as an underdog on the road. The 3-0 start marks the first time the Rebels have hit the mark since the Randall Cunningham days.
The Rebels have a hard earned bye week before hosting Fresno State on September 28 at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12:30 pm PT and the game will be shown nationally on FS1.
