UNLV Defeats San Jose State 27-16 in Rainy Showdown
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — In an electrifying but challenging matchup on a rainy Friday night, No. 23 UNLV secured a 27-16 victory over San Jose State, keeping their Mountain West Conference title hopes alive. Jai’Den Thomas emerged as the star of the game, amassing 135 rushing yards and scoring the go-ahead touchdown in the third quarter. This win marks a significant milestone for the Rebels (9-2, 5-1 Mountain West, No. 24 CFP), as it is their first victory as a ranked team in the program’s history.
After losing to Syracuse earlier this season, the Rebels displayed resilience, with linebacker Jackson Woodard expressing the team’s determination to push for the conference title. “We’re starving and can’t wait for the next opportunity,” Woodard said.
The victory not only preserves UNLV’s chances of returning to the Mountain West title game—after losing to Boise State last year—but also sets the stage for an important next week, where they must secure a win against Nevada and hope Colorado State loses.
San Jose State (6-5, 3-4) remained winless against ranked opponents since 2013, having suffered consecutive losses at home. The Spartans struggled offensively, with quarterback Walker Eget completing just 4 of 22 passes for 81 yards, a stark contrast to their previous performances.
UNLV relied heavily on the running game, especially during a second half that saw both teams grappling with adverse weather conditions. Coach Barry Odom praised his team’s resolve in tough circumstances, while San Jose’s troubles were compounded by penalties and errors.
Next week, UNLV will host Nevada, while San Jose State is set to face Stanford at home.
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