FRESNO, Calif. – In a battle of 6-1 teams, tricks and treats came just days before Halloween at Valley Children's Stadium. Three UNLV turnovers in the third quarter led to 24 points for Fresno State but the Bulldogs were twice forced to come up with stops deep in their territory in the fourth, the second resulting in a game-ending interception by Levelle Bailey to seal a 31-24 victory.
Fresno State had four takeaways on the night against a Rebels' team that had not had more than two turnovers in a game this season. Dean Clark accounted for two of them coming up with an interception and a fumble recovery on back-to-back UNLV drives.
In his first game since Oct. 7, Mikey Keene passed for 256 yards and four touchdowns. Jalen Moss led the receivers with 99 yards but Keene spread the TDs around, finding four different receivers in the end zone.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Bulldogs' defense had the momentum on the first offensive drive for UNLV, holding the Rebels off the board.
With Keene back under center for the first time in two weeks, the Bulldogs were able to score on their first offensive possession of the game for the eighth time this season. Keene connected with Tim Grear Jr. for a 31-yard touchdown, Grear's first TD as a Bulldog.
UNLV responded on its following drive with a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive capped by a 40-yard touchdown pass from Jayden Maiava to Ricky White to tie the game at seven with 2:20 left in the first quarter.
UNLV's Jaxen Turner intercepted a pass by Keene and cashed it in for points. The Bulldog defense held UNLV to only a field goal from 30 yards out with 11:15 left in the first half.
The Rebels tacked on seven more with 33 seconds remaining in the half on a three-yard run from Jai'Den Thomas. It capped a nine-play, 72-yard drive in just over a minute to give UNLV a 17-7 lead at the break.
After being forced to punt on their opening possession of the second half, Carson King's punt bounced off the knee of Jacob DeJesus and was alertly pounced on by Steven Comstock to shift the momentum back into the Bulldogs' favor.
Five plays later, Keene hit Mac Dalena from two yards out to cut the deficit to 17-14.
The Bulldogs forced a three-and-out on UNLV's offensive possession following a sack on third-and-7 by Tuasivi Nomura. Keene went deep on the first play of the drive and found Jalen Moss down the sideline for 60 yards to get to the Rebels' 20-yard line. Fresno State converted twice on third downs, the second resulting in a 10-yard touchdown over the middle from Keene to Erik Brooks to retake the lead for the Bulldogs at 21-17 with 5:59 on the clock.
Facing third-and-8 on his next drive, Maiava was picked off by Dean Clark at the UNLV 41-yard line. Fresno State turned it into three with a 36-yard field goal from Dylan Lynch to extend the lead to 24-17.
On the Rebels' next offensive play, Isaiah Johnson forced a fumble that was recovered by Clark at the UNLV 31-yard line. The Bulldogs moved the ball into the red zone and on fourth-and goal from the 2-yard line, Keene found Malik Sherrod along the right sideline to give the 'Dogs a 31-17 advantage with three seconds left in the quarter.
UNLV answered back with a seven-play, 70-yard scoring drive as Maiava finished it off with a 15-yard touchdown pass to White.
The Rebels started their next drive at Fresno State's 46-yard line following an interception by Cameron Oliver. UNLV marched down to the two-yard line but could get no further as the Bulldogs came up with a fourth-down stop.
Stuck deep in their own end, Fresno State was forced into a three-and-out, giving the Rebels the ball back at their own 48. UNLV moved the ball down to the Bulldogs' 8-yard line with 19 seconds left. After two incomplete passes, Levelle Bailey sealed the game, intercepting Maiava in the middle of the field.
UP NEXT
Fresno State stays at home for a big Mountain West matchup against Boise State on Nov. 4. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT on CBS Sports Network. It will be a rematch of the 2022 Mountain West Championship game, and a battle for the Milk Can trophy. Limited tickets are available here.