After a triumphant win at home in Allegiant Stadium, the 2-0 Rebels are back on the road to take on the 1-1 Kansas Jayhawks at Children’s Mercy Park in a rematch of the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, where the Jayhawks defeated the Rebels 49-36.
The Rebels are coming off a commanding victory against the Utah Tech Trailblazers in their last matchup, resulting in a 72-14 win.
The Trailblazers fall to a 0-2 start after losing their previous matchup to Montana State 31-7 and are now set to face the 1-1 Northern Arizona Lumberjacks.
The Jayhawks entered this game coming off a loss to the 2-0 Fighting Illini of Illinois, losing 23-17. The Jayhawks entered that game as the No. 17 ranked team in the country before the loss knocked them out of the polls.
The Rebels and Jayhawks have only faced off once before returning to the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl, where Jayhawks quarterback Jason Bean led Kansas to their first bowl win since 2008.
ESPN projected UNLV as an underdog, but the Rebels seek revenge in a game that has playoff implications written all over it.
Defense Wins Championships
The Rebels entered the game, only allowing 21 points through two games. UNLV stifled the Houston Cougars, leading 14-0 at the half and 24-0 at the end of the third. The Rebels allowed a score with a minute left but ultimately won 27-7.
A similar story happened against the Trailblazers, as the Rebels routed the Trailblazers, only allowing a touchdown in both the first and third quarters.
Both the Rebels and the Jayhawks can score at an alarming rate, with last year’s game eclipsing 85 points.
The Rebels have been effective in stopping the run game, but with Jayhawks running backs Devin Neal and Daniel Hinshaw Jr lined up in the backfield and wide receivers Luke Grimm and Lawerence Arnold able to stop on a dime, the defense needs to stand firm through four quarters to win the game.
“Defensively, if you can stop the run and then eliminate explosive plays, you get a chance of being a pretty good defense,” UNLV Head Coach Barry Odem said. “ We knew we needed to get better on the back end, and that’s one of the reasons you’re trying to build a foundation of your program and address the needs that can come and help you right away.
“Just a great week of preparation coming up, you know, great game plans going in there, trusting my ability,” UNLV cornerback Cameron Oliver said.” Not going out there doing too much, just making sure I’m doing my one-eleventh, and the plays will come.
Smack Mouth Football
UNLV’s rejuvenated run game has posed an early threat this season. The Rebels saw over 11 different rushers rush for over 500 yards against the Trailblazers. The Rebels ranked third in the country last year in rushing touchdowns with 39, averaging 173.5 yards per game. This year, UNLV ranks third in rushing yards, averaging 394.5 yards per game, with six rushing touchdowns.
“We had a point goal that we wanted to reach, at least 70 points,” UNLV Offensive Lineman Jack Kask said.” Coach Marrion harped on 500 yards all week, and we got that. It was a good milestone, but there is still a lot to improve on with it.”
The Rebels look to continue that momentum heading into Children’s Mercy Park, where the Jayhawks are ranked No. 37 in the country in run defense and ranked No. 83 in total points allowed this season.
Winning One-On-One Matchups
Ricky White III and Jacob De Jesus dominated throughout two games this season. White has seven catches for 122 yards and three touchdowns, while De Jesus has four catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns. Kansas’s secondary, Melo Dorson and Kobe Bryant, have led the charge for the Jayhawks this season. Both being catalysts for their team, the Jayhawks provide the biggest test for Matthew Sluka and the Rebels.
“I would definitely say they’re really good. Great speed, great fundamentals, staying patient at the line of scrimmage,” UNLV wide receiver Ricky White III said. “So I’m definitely ready to compete, go out there, and have fun, and I’m going to give it my all for sure.”
Sluka has completed 46% of his passes this season while throwing for 232 yards in two games.
While Kansas has only allowed 77 yards on the ground this season, Sluka has to utilize his weapons in White and De Jesus to execute a fluent pass game.
Where to Watch
Kickoff is on Friday, 4 p.m. at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
