LAS VEGAS – The UNLV Rebels want to win games that matter in November. They picked up another one with a 41-20 victory against San Diego State.
The Rebels improved to 8-2 and 4-1 in Mountain West play. They still need help when it comes to making the Mountain West Championship game, but coach Barry Odom. Isn’t concerned with anything outside of what his team does.
“We’ve got 14 days to go make the most of it. Then whatever happens, happens from there. Let the chips fall,” Odom said. “But if we don’t do our part, then it doesn’t matter. So I think we’ve got a very, very mature team. We understand the mission.”
Here are three takeaways from the game:
Hajj, you doing?
Hajj-Malik Williams was again a dominant force on the offensive end. He completed 20-of-29 passes with a touchdown and ran for 29 yards with two touchdowns.
“Hajj is one of the elite players, not only in our conference but in all of college football,” Odom said.
The Rebels have been a much more complete offense since Williams took over the controls. He relishes the opportunity to make plays and be the difference maker for the Rebels.
“I feel like my teammates have a lot of confidence in me, so all I have to do is go out and perform my best when the opportunity presents itself,” Wiliams said. “I’ve got to make sure I execute.”
Doing it for a Rebel Leader
Jacob De Jesus went through a difficult two-week stretch. First, he was injured in the game against Boise State, and mere hours later, his father died.
De Jesus returned to the Rebels in a big way. He had 117 yards from scrimmage with 35 more on punt returns.
“Jacob’s a special human being, first of all,” UNLV linebacker Jackson Woodard said. “The way he handled what he’s been through has been incredible. It’s been inspiring just that he comes back so quick. He’s for the team. He has high energy. I mean, raising a family, he’s so ahead of me in life. It’s just an inspiration. I look up to him in a lot of ways. We need him as a team. He came in and obviously made a huge impact. He does it every week. I just can’t be more proud of him as a human being.”
Rebels dominant on defense
The Rebels’ defense was on point against the Aztecs.
They limited San Diego State to six points in the first half and gave up touchdowns only when the game was in hand.
UNLV collected two interceptions, while Woodard led the way with 14 tackles. Woodard gave praise to the secondary after the game.
“They’re playing really high-level ball,” Woodard said. “Their communication was at an all-time high. They all do different things so well. They play together. They play fast. I mean, they’re a fast group. Just flying down, making hits, and playing really well in coverage. Really proud of our defense backs.”
Paul Delos Santos is the Las Vegas sports insider for Dice City Sports. Follow him on X at @PaulDelos_.
