UNLV’s Kylin James plowed in from 1 yard out on the first play after the two-minute timeout in the fourth quarter, giving the visiting Rebels their first lead of the game in a 23-20 victory over Kansas on Friday night at Kansas City.
UNLV (3-0) won despite quarterback Matthew Sluka posting 86 passing yards, though he ran for 113. The Rebels have won their first three games for the first time since 1984.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels ran for two touchdowns and threw for 153 yards and Devin Neal rushed for 123 yards for the Jayhawks (1-2).
UNLV’s winning drive was a journey, lasting 14 plays and 9 1/2 minutes of game time.
The Rebels converted a 4th-and-1 from the Kansas 2-yard line but were penalized for unnecessary roughness on the play, setting up a 1st-and-10 on the Jayhawks’ 16. Facing a 3rd-and-12, Sluka scrambled for 11 yards before James punched in the winning score on fourth down.
The possession also included Sluka’s fumble that was touched by multiple Kansas players, but ended up back with UNLV.
The Jayhawks couldn’t shake away from the Rebels despite leading most of the game. A 13-play drive that bridged the third and fourth quarters ended with Tabor Allen’s 41-yard field goal that gave Kansas a 20-16 edge with 11:22 remaining.
The Jayhawks scored on their first three possessions for a 17-6 lead, but UNLV struck on the final play before halftime when Sluka connected with Jai’Den Thomas for a 27-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-13.
Daniels ran for an 11-yard score to cap Kansas’ first possession, which covered 81 yards and lasted 12 plays.
In the second quarter, the Jayhawks finished a 94-yard march with Daniels running in from 33 yards out for a 14-3 lead.
UNLV received first-half field goals from 38 and 27 yards from Caden Chittenden. He missed from 51 yards away late in the half after Sluka’s 46-yard run set up a scoring chance.
Chittenden added a 23-yard kick in the third quarter to pull the Rebels within 17-16.
–Field Level Media
