Rebels run over Miners for second straight win

UNLV senior defensive lineman Naki Fahina is pictured on the UNLV sidelines during the team's third win in four weeks to open the year. Photo Credit: UNLV Athletics

The ground game has driven the UNLV Rebels offense so far in 2023 and it continued to do so Saturday in El Paso.

The Rebels defeated the UTEP Miners, 45-28, to improve to 3-1 on the year, one week ahead of Mountain West conference play.

“I'm so thrilled that we got the win,” head coach Barry Odom said. “Thrilled with the win on the road and to be 3-1 through the non-conference portion of the season.”

The Rebels early season success has them already halfway to the six-win total needed to secure a bowl appearance, and it’s been a total team effort to get here.

Offensively, UNLV rushed for 307 yards with all six touchdowns coming on the ground, including four from Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas.

Rebels freshman running back Jai'Den Thomas flashes four fingers to the Miners' fans after scoring his fourth touchdown of the night. Photo Credit: UNLV Athletics

On the defensive side of the ball, UNLV won the turnover battle, intercepting UTEP’s Gavin Hardison three times on the night.

“I thought the takeaways were huge on defense, and then the ability to run the football,” Odom said. “Six total rushing touchdowns, that's a great output by our offense and offensive line [...] That was a big-time effort.”

While UNLV has been run heavy with only one touchdown this year coming through the air, it hasn’t hampered the program’s scoring ability.

The Rebels have scored 40 or more points in three games this season, with their lone dud against then-No. 2 Michigan who boasts the top scoring defense in the country.

Balanced or not, the offensive recipe for success is evident for the Rebels, and it has become even more critical with limbo under center.

Quarterback Doug Brumfield remained out with an injury he sustained against Vanderbilt, thrusting freshman Jayden Maiava into the starting role. Maiava has benefitted from the strong run game and supplemented it with 190 yards through the air on Saturday.

UNLV freshman quarterback Jayden Maiava lines up one of his pass attempts during the team's win against UTEP. Photo Credit: UNLV Athletics

Though this team shows promise, it’s important to remain cautiously optimistic given recent history. Last year the Rebels jumped out to a 4-1 record before rattling off six consecutive losses and failing to capture a bowl bid.

This year, under a new head coach, the program is looking to make amends for 2022 and Odom is content with where the Rebels sit before conference play.

“Thrilled with the win on the road,” Odom said. “But also we’ve got a long ways to go on getting to where we want to be. I’d much rather be 3-1 talking about it than something less than that.”

The Rebels first test in-conference comes against Hawaii on Saturday, Sept. 30 from Allegiant Stadium. Hawaii defeated UNLV last year 31-25 to send the Rebels to a sixth straight loss and seventh overall.