The Rebels dominated UNR 38-14 before over 40,000 fans at Allegiant Saturday night. It marks the first time the Rebels have had 10 wins in 40 years. The victory sets up the 2024 Old Trapper Mountain West Football Championship Game vs. Boise State on Friday at 5 p.m. PT. Boise won the regular season matchup 29-24 in late October at Allegiant.

The stage was set. A unfriendly intrastate rivalry, an opportunity to play for much bigger and better things, clashing colors and the most expensive trophy in the country.

But the final score was anticlimactic. The Rebels manhandled the UNR Wolfpack at both lines and waltzed their way one of their easiest wins of the season.

The Rebels took their opening drive and marched down field with large chunk gains by Jacob De Jesus and Hajj-Malik Williams, but were forced with a 4th and goal from the 1 yard line. Williams found tight end Kaleo Ballungay wide open for the score.

The only life Reno showed was on their first possession of the game. Broken coverage left Cortez Braham wide open from 45 yards out to knot the game at seven. But that was the pinnacle for the Wolfpack.

A short Caden Chittenden field goal capped the first quarter scoring.

Early in the second quarter, a blitzing Jarvis Ware ambushed quarterback Brendon Lewis, forcing a fumble that was recovered in the end zone by Jackson Woodard to put the Rebels ahead 17-7.

The Rebel defense pestered Lewis for the entirety of the game, forcing him out of the pocket while cashing in on six sacks.

As the game moved on, the UNR lines quickly faded. Led by Jai'Den Thomas' 135 yards, the Rebels gashed the Wolfpack with 351 yards on the ground. Williams juked his way 110 yards on the ground. He also was efficient with 14-21 passing for 168 yards and 2 touchdowns.

It was the Rebels third straight win over UNR and will keep the Fremont Cannon Red.

With the win the Rebels head to Boise State for the league championship Friday. The game will be televised by FOX with kickoff set for 5 p.m. PT. It will be the biggest game in UNLV football history with the stakes being a spot in the College Football Playoff.