INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The LA Bowl started off as a bit of a mess for both teams, with shaky play and lineup shuffling making for a sluggish first quarter. But as the game unfolded, it turned into a competitive affair with a good mix of big plays and momentum swings. In the end, 24th-ranked UNLV looked like the more complete team, excelling offensively, defensively, and on special teams, where they pulled off a brilliant fake punt en route to a 24-13 victory over Cal.
This win not only gave the Rebels (11-3) their first bowl victory in 24 years but also capped a season of resilience and accomplishment. Despite losing their starting quarterback after three games and their head coach 10 days before the bowl, UNLV delivered its best season ever as an FBS program, earning a program-record 11 wins.
“This is exactly how we wanted to finish it. I mean, not many people can say they got 11 wins in a season,” said linebacker Jackson Woodard, who was named the Defensive MVP.
Cal’s Missed Chances Tell the Story
While UNLV executed when it mattered, Cal (6-7) squandered its opportunities. A missed field goal, failure to punch it in on 2nd-and-goal from the 1-yard line, and a disastrous botched lateral were just a few of the self-inflicted wounds that left them on the losing side.
“The game came down to the fake punt they got a score off of, we had the ball at the 2-yard line and couldn’t quite get it in the end zone,” Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said. “Missed field goal, turnover for a touchdown—it’s just really unfortunate we couldn’t get it done.”
UNLV’s defense, which racked up four sacks and consistently pressured Cal’s quarterbacks, added insult to injury by recovering the aforementioned botched lateral. That turnover set up a crucial third-quarter touchdown that gave the Rebels an eight-point lead they never relinquished.
UNLV Shines in All Phases
UNLV’s balance across offense, defense, and special teams proved decisive. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams had an inefficient night statistically (5-of-18 for 96 yards), but he made big plays when it counted, including a 49-yard touchdown pass to Kayden McGee in the first quarter. Special teams standout Jacob De Jesus, who earned Offensive MVP honors, delivered a highlight-reel performance with a 38-yard punt return and a 12-yard shovel-pass touchdown—followed by a celebratory backflip.
Of course, the play everyone will be talking about was UNLV’s fake punt. In the second quarter, punter Marshall Nichols lobbed a perfect pass to Cameron Oliver for a 52-yard gain, setting up De Jesus’ touchdown one play later. Head coach Del Alexander joked about the gutsy call after the game. “My head was in the clouds and (special teams) coach (James) Shilbest said, `Hey, you want to run it?’ I mean, I didn’t figure out where the ball was and I said, go. I’ve seen it every day in practice for a year or two years. I think I was facing the wrong way, but I saw it go and said ‘OK, good.’”
Running back Kylin James sealed the win with a 23-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter, and the Rebels’ defense slammed the door from there.
Cal Finds Bright Spots Despite Loss
Cal’s offense showed flashes early, led by running back Jaydn Ott, who ripped off a 48-yard run in the first quarter and finished with 84 yards on just 11 carries. Ott’s electric play showed why he’s one of the team’s most promising stars moving forward.
But the Golden Bears’ most reliable weapon was tight end Jack Endries, who looked every bit like a future NFL player. The 6’4″, 240-pound sophomore hauled in seven catches, made tough grabs over the middle, and likely had Gronk nodding in approval from wherever he was watching.
Unfortunately for Cal, injuries and mistakes derailed their chances. Starting quarterback CJ Harris was solid (13-of-20 for 109 yards) before leaving in the third quarter with an injury. Backup EJ Caminong struggled, completing just 6-of-19 passes for 57 yards, and his lateral miscue sealed Cal’s fate.
Key Turning Points
- The Fake Punt: With UNLV trailing 10-7 in the second quarter, Nichols’ 52-yard pass to Oliver flipped the game on its head and set up a touchdown that gave the Rebels the lead for good.
- Cal’s Goal-Line Failure: Late in the first half, Cal had 2nd-and-goal from the 1-yard line but lost yards on consecutive plays, settling for a field goal instead of a touchdown.
- Caminong’s Costly Turnover: Cal’s backup quarterback’s ill-advised lateral turned into a fumble recovery for UNLV, setting up James’ game-clinching touchdown.
Postgame Reflections
Interim head coach Del Alexander, who was part of the staff when UNLV last won a bowl game, emphasized how special the moment was for his players. “It means a lot. I’ve done this so many times that it is a big deal for the players to experience. For them to feel it and get the reward and establish the legacy, it’s important for them.”
Wilcox, meanwhile, was left lamenting what might have been. “The game came down to a few key plays that we couldn’t capitalize on. We had our chances.”
With Dan Mullen set to take over UNLV’s program next season, the Rebels are poised to build on their historic success. The win could also secure UNLV’s first-ever appearance in the final AP Top 25 poll.
Final Takeaways
Cal: The Golden Bears showed flashes of promise from Jaydn Ott and Jack Endries, but their second-half performance left much to be desired. They crossed midfield only once in their final eight drives, a telling stat that underscores their offensive struggles. It’s also clear they sorely missed star quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who entered the transfer portal before the game. Filling the void left by Mendoza will undoubtedly be the biggest challenge for Cal heading into next season.
UNLV: The Rebels were the more complete team, excelling on both sides of the ball and showcasing creativity on special teams. Their ability to rise above adversity all season was a testament to their resilience.
UNLV ended its season in style, breaking a 24-year bowl drought and proving that they can compete with anyone when all three phases click. Meanwhile, Cal will head into the offseason wondering what might have been if they had capitalized on their chances—and maybe wishing they had a complete roster to close the season.
Ben, Chief Editor and Business Consultant at WCSM, is also the Chief Creative Officer at two multi-million-dollar businesses, where he has driven growth and innovation. A summa cum laude graduate with degrees in Statistics and Business Computer Information Systems, Ben has helped small businesses double their revenue, launched YouTube channels with over 50K followers, and created websites for high-profile clients in TV and film. His expertise spans content creation, video production, advertising, analytics, web design, and data analysis. Ben is eager to bring his skills to WCSM, turning their vision into impactful realities while fostering sustainable growth.
Wow, amazing work done by this team! The quality of pictures and overall work is amazing. The well-written content and stunning visuals really set this site apart. It’s clear a lot of effort goes into making everything look top-notch- keep up the work, I love to see it!
Thank you! We’re glad you enjoyed the content and visuals. Your support means a lot to us!