LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV football (1-0) tied a school record with seven rushing touchdowns to roll past Southern Utah (0-1) Saturday night, 56-23, and start the 49^th and final season at Sam Boyd Stadium in style.
 
The Rebels won their opening game for only the second time in the last 10 years powered by big but abbreviated nights by running back Charles Williams (143 yards and three touchdowns on just 15 carries) and quarterback Armani Rogers (144 yards passing to go with 114 yards and two scores on the ground).
 
UNLV's defense, led by safety Evan Austrie's game-high nine tackles, was stellar as the hosts pushed the lead to 56-7 in the third quarter before the Thunderbirds scored 16 points in mop-up time.
 
TURNING POINT:
After starting with a pair of three-and-outs, Charles Williams sprinted in for the game's first score with a 22-yard rush on third-and-five.
 


STAT OF THE GAME:
UNLV's seven rushing touchdowns, which came via four different runners, tied the school record set in 1974 vs. Prairie View A&M.
 
REBEL OF THE GAME:
After never having scored multiple touchdowns in a game, Charles Williams found the end zone three times as part of his 143-yard night. It was the fourth 100-yard game of the junior's collegiate career.
  
REBEL NOTES:
-UNLV did not allow a quarterback sack while the defense logged four vs. the T-Bird QBs
-Armani Rogers became the first Rebel to start three consecutive season openers at quarterback since Jason Thomas in 2000-03
-Armani Rogers had 66-yard touchdown run in the opening drive of the third quarter
-UNLV allowed its first safety since 2017 to close out the scoring
-11 different Rebels caught at least on pass on the night
-Mekhi Stevenson had the Rebels' lone touchdown through the air when he caught a pass and winded his way into the end zone from 18 yards out
 
NEXT FOR THE REBELS:
UNLV will be back at home next week when it hosts Arkansas State starting at 7 p.m. PT.