LOGAN, Utah — Hajj-Malik Williams threw three first-half touchdown passes, and Kylin James ran for three scores as UNLV powered to a 50-34 win over Utah State on Friday night. The Runnin’ Rebels exploded for 27 points in the second quarter, setting a program record for most points in a half against an FBS opponent.
UNLV (5-1, 2-0 Mountain West) bounced back after a 44-41 overtime loss to Syracuse last week, which ended their brief stint at No. 25 in the AP rankings. The Rebels’ offense rolled to 367 total yards in the first half, giving them a commanding 41-7 lead at halftime.
Utah State (1-5, 0-2) has now lost five straight games, marking its longest single-season losing streak since 2016.
“Problem is, right, there’s two halves in football, so we’re going to build off that second half.” said Utah St coach Nate Dreiling, “There’s no doubt about it, but we need to do a better job.”
James led UNLV’s ground game with 101 yards on 11 carries. Ricky White III hauled in seven receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns, while Jai’Den Thomas rushed 17 times for 139 yards and a score.
UNLV set the tone early, starting with Williams connecting with Jacob de Jesus for a 38-yard gain on the game’s first play. James followed with a 33-yard run, then capped the drive with a 5-yard touchdown, putting the Rebels up 7-0 just 1:10 into the game.
Williams later completed three straight passes to White, the final one an 18-yard touchdown that extended UNLV’s lead to 14-0. Utah State responded with a 79-yard drive, culminating in a 20-yard touchdown run by Rahsul Faison, narrowing the deficit to 14-7 at the end of the first quarter.
UNLV quickly pulled away in the second quarter. After a Caden Chittenden field goal, Williams threw an 18-yard touchdown to Casey Cain. A turnover on the next Aggies possession set up another James touchdown, and Chittenden later added a 49-yard field goal. White’s 31-yard touchdown reception with 1:53 left in the half pushed UNLV’s lead to 41-7.
Spencer Petras led the Aggies with 358 yards on 35-of-48 passing and threw three touchdown passes, but it wasn’t enough to overcome UNLV’s dominant start.
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