ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV (1-8/1-4) won its first game under head coach Marcus Arroyo, 31-17 over New Mexico (3-6/1-4) in front of an announced crowd of 14,007 Saturday night at University Stadium.
The Lobos scored first on their initial possession but UNLV quickly turned two fumble recoveries into a 14-7 lead en route to posting 17 points off turnovers compared to zero for the hosts.
Running back Charles Williams, who became UNLV's all-time leading rusher during the game, scored two short touchdowns and true freshman quarterback Cameron Friel tossed two scores in the first half (15 yards to Las Vegas product Marcus Phillips Jr. and 75 yards to Kyle Williams) to account for the four Rebel TDs. Daniel Gutierrez's 26-yard field goal wrapped up the visitors' scoring.
Kyle Williams, who was the 2020 Mountain West Freshman of the Year, turned in his second 100-yard receiving game in the last three outings, finishing with seven catches for 137 yards, including the long score. Friel, who was not sacked, completed 20 of 33 attempts as UNLV won the passing-yard battle 227-36.
Linebacker Jacoby Windmon led all tacklers with 12 total, including one of eight UNLV quarterback sacks.
REBEL OF THE GAME:
Filling in for injured starter Austin Ajiake, Liberty High School product Kyle Beaudry started his first game as a Rebel and the junior linebacker did not disappoint, forcing two key first half fumbles, recovering one, posting 10 total tackles and creating 1.5 quarterback sacks.
STAT OF THE GAME:
UNLV RB Williams became his school's all-time rushing leader during the third quarter with an 11-yard gain. He passed Tim Cornett, who rushed for 3,733 yards from 2010-13. Williams is only the second man to hold the title of UNLV rushing king since Mike Thomas became the record-holder in 1974 (3,149). Williams now has 3,763 in his run as a Rebel.
QUOTABLE:
"I'm just proud of my team -- proud of these guys and the coaches and the staff to hang in there. I think I've said it from the beginning, hanging in there when things aren't going your way, it says a lot about your character as a team, as a program. It's so easy nowadays with the influences and outside pressures and the talk to quit. It's so easy for someone to say something and the guys to believe it, so it's a lot tougher to go back to work when things aren't going your way. It just says a lot about our group and where we are headed. We've got more."
-UNLV Head Coach Marcus Arroyo
REBEL NOTES:
-UNLV won its first game since the 2019 season-finale overtime victory in Reno vs. UNR
-The Rebels took a 13-12 all-time lead in the series against New Mexico
-UNLV won its third straight at New Mexico, improving to 7-7 in Albuquerque
-The Rebels went 4-4 in the red zone to improve to 26-28 on the season inside their opponents' 20-yard line
-Starting long-snapper Rex Goossen was injured during the first half, which led to the collegiate debut of sophomore Walker Hardan for the remainder of the game
-The Rebels only had one penalty accepted for 15 yards in the game
-UNLV led at halftime for the fifth time this season (21-17)
NEXT FOR THE REBELS:
UNLV returns home for two straight home dates at Allegiant Stadium. First up -- the Rebels host Hawai'i on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. and the game will be televised by CBS Sports Network.
