LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – Playing for the first time in 15 days, No. RV/23 UNLV (4-0/1-0) opened Mountain West play by dominating Fresno State (3-2/1-1) 59-14 in front of 24,638 fans at Allegiant Stadium Saturday afternoon.
 
The Rebels are undefeated through the first four games for the first time since 1976 after excelling in all three phases. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams made his first start at UNLV and dazzled in the air and on the ground, completing 13-of-16 attempts for 182 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 119 net yards and another score.
 
Ricky White III caught 10 passes for 127 yards and a pair of touchdowns and also scooped and scored on a blocked punt by Rashod Tanner for another trip to the end zone. Special teams actually accounted for two touchdowns for the home team as running back Jai'Den Thomas also returned a kickoff 90 yards for a score in the fourth quarter.
 
On defense, UNLV posted four interceptions in a game for the first time since picking off five at Utah State on Sept. 24, 2022. All four interceptions were by different players. Safety Jalen Catalon's interception gave him four on the season to go with a game-high 10 total tackles.
 
STAT OF THE GAME:
The 59 points represented the most UNLV has ever scored against a conference opponent in a regulation game. The Rebels finished with 69 vs. Wyoming in a triple-overtime affair in 2016 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
 
REBEL OF THE GAME:
Hajj-Malik Williams, who is in his sixth season after transferring from FCS-program Campbell, completed 81.3-percent of his passes, did not get sacked and averaged 9.9 yards per rush in his debut as a starting quarterback on the FBS level.
 
QUOTABLE:
"What a great win. Exciting for our team in starting conference play. The challenge for us was to start fast this week, win the turnover margin and go in attack mode in all three phases. I thought we did. We have a mature team, the things that they handled and the way we prepared, not only during the bye week, but then in the game week, carried over. I thought we played fast and with a lot of confidence."
 
"It's a very short week for us because of the Friday night game against Syracuse, so we need to turn the page very quickly. I'm excited that we get to play at home in Allegiant Stadium Friday night at 6 o'clock, and our guys will flip the page. I can tell in the locker room, they are ready to do that. We are excited about being 1-0 in the conference and the 4-0 start and for what our team did in how we effectively played the game from start to finish."
-UNLV Head Coach Barry Odom
 
NOTABLE:
-UNLV blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown for the first time since RB Charles Williams recovered one in the end zone in 2016 at Central Michigan
-Ricky White's three total touchdowns (two receiving, one special teams) gave the receiver 18 total touchdowns in three seasons as a Rebel
-Freshman kicker Caden Chittenden improved to 9-of-11 in field goals this season after nailing his only attempt vs. Fresno State, from 45 yards out. He made all of his eight extra points to finish with 11 total points
-Jet Thomas' 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the first for the school since Deante "Never Nervous" Purvis went 98 yards to the end zone vs. CSU on Oct. 29, 2011
-Thomas also scored on a seven-yard rush to give him three touchdowns on the season and 15 in his 18-game career as a Rebel
-Linebacker Jackson Woodard finished with eight tackles, including 2.0 TFL, after having six takedowns in the first quarter alone
-Cameron Oliver's interception was the 11th of his career, which ties for fourth place in UNLV history
-Johnathan Baldwin's INT was his second of the season and fifth of his career
-Jeremiah Vessel had the team's fourth interception – the first of the Las Vegas redshirt freshman's career
-TE Kaleo Ballungay hauled in his third career TD with a 17-yarder
-UNLV, which led 21-0 at halftime, won the turnover battle 4-0 and sacked FS QBs four times compared to zero by the Bulldogs
-With the four picks, the Rebels have now forced at least one turnover in 17 of the 18 games under defensive coordinator Michael Scherer
-The Rebels improved to 16-27 in conference openers, including three straight MW lid-lifters

UP NEXT: The Rebels are right back at Allegiant Stadium on Friday when they play Syracuse for the first time ever. Kickoff for the Friday night special, which will close out UNLV's non-conference schedule, is set for 6 p.m. PT. The game will be shown nationally on FS1 and tickets are available by visiting unlvtickets.com or by calling (702) 739-FANS.