Introduction: Here’s how to watch

The UNLV football team faces another
tough test on Friday when it hosts
Syracuse in a non-conference game at Allegant Stadium.

Las Vegas

Layvind Allen led Syracuse to a 44-41 win over No. 25 UNLV on
Friday night, lifting the Rebels into the AP Top 25 for the first time in four days in program history.

For the first time in program history, 25 Rebels were ranked in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. They posted a 59-14 victory over Fresno State. Quarterback Haj-Malik Williams, making his first start at UNLV, completed 13 of 16 passes for 182 yards and three touchdowns against the Bulldogs. He had 119 yards and one rushing touchdown on 12 carries.

After Kaiden Chittenden kicked a 41-yard field goal to give UNLV (4-1) a 41-38 lead in overtime, the Orange (4-1) went on an eight-play drive, including Allen’s fourth touchdown that gave him the victory.

For Syracuse, Kyle McCord was 40 of 63 for 355 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Allen had 19 rushes for 71 yards and two scores and nine catches for 58 yards and two more scores.

UNLV’s Haji Malik Williams completed 21 of 25 passes for 227 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Ricky White III had 10 catches for 135 yards and a touchdown.

Trailing by seven points with under three minutes left, the Orange tied the game after Jackson Meeks caught a 6-yard TD pass with 23 seconds left and drove 75 yards in 11 plays.

The Rebels elected to take a knee on the first play of their final regular-season play, sending UNLV to overtime for the first time since 2021 and losing to Eastern Washington in three overtimes.

Takeaway

White entered the season as an All-American candidate as a wide receiver but still plays on special teams. After blocking a punt earlier this season, Orange’s White forced Jack Stonehouse to hold the ball and fight in the second quarter.

The Rebels (4-0) are one of 19 undefeated teams in the FBS.

Syracuse (3-1) defeated Holy Cross 42-14 in its last game. This was the first meeting of the school’s representatives.