Comeback bid falls short
UNLV had won every game in which they scored first, but that didn't hold in a 49-36 loss to the Kansas Jayhawks in the 2023 Guaranteed Rate Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona.
Jayhawk QB Jason Bean shredded the Rebel secondary for 449 yards and a record setting six touchdown passes to keep Kansas ahead after UNLV scored on their opening drive.
With both Jai'Den Thomas and Donavyn Lester missing the game, UNLV turned to Jacob Dejesus in the backfield along with Vincent Davis. Using eight plays to drive 65 yards, a determined Davis straight-armed his way into the endzone from three yards out to give the Rebels a 7-0 lead after their opening drive.
Kansas knotted the game at the end of the first quarter when Bean completed his first of six touchdown passes to Luke Grimm from six-yards out.
Aided by two interceptions and a missed field goal by Jose Pizano, Kansas dominated the second quarter with three long scoring drives to put the Jayhawks up 28-7. The Rebels managed a 40 yard field goal from Pizano as the clock expired.
With the first possession after the half, the Rebels' Cameron Oliver picked off Bean at the Kansas 42 to swing the momentum. The Rebels marched 42 yards in five plays with Maiava finding tight end Shelton Zeon III alone in the end zone.
Visibly charged, the Rebel defense held the Jayhawks to a three and out on their next series, forcing a punt. With a facemask on the play, the Rebels started from the Jayhawk 37 yard line.
On the next play, Maiava fired a perfect strike to Ricky White over the middle to bring the Rebels within 28-24 with 17 straight points.
The momentum didn't stop for the Rebels. With Kansas on their heels, Oliver grabbed his second interception of the game at the Kansas 36 yard line.
Sometimes it takes only one big play to diffuse momentum and that's just what the Jayhawks got. A corner blitz by Cobee Bryant dropped Maiava for an 11 yard loss and the Rebels eventually were forced to punt.
Nichols delivered a perfect punt, pinning the Jayhawks at their own one yard line. Nichols pinned the Jayhawks at their two yard line earlier in the game, but Kansas was able to engineer a 98 yard drive.
On the ensuing drive, Kansas ate a lot of clock and short chunks of yards. Eventually they were faced with a 3rd and 17 from their own 44 yard line, Devin Neal unleashed his most important run of the day. Neal fell short of the first down with his 16 yard run, but it set up 4th and short and a decision from the Jayhawks at the Rebel 40 yard line.
The Jayhawks elected to go for it and instead of running, Bean found an uncovered Lawrence Arnold on the first play of the fourth quarter to put the Jayhawks up 35-24.
Still within striking distance, the Rebels were urgent on their next series. The Rebels needed less than three minutes to drive 88 yards as Jacob De Jesus busted in from 11 yards out to once again bring it to a one score game. The Rebels failed in their two point conversion attempt to trail 35-30 with 12 minutes remaining in the game.
The Jayhawks responded very quickly on their next series, needing only 50 seconds and a 56 yard touchdown pass from Bean to Arnold to put the Jayhawks up 42-30.
Kansas tacked on another touchdown after the Rebels turned it over on downs and the UNLV quickly responded with a touchdown from Maiava to Senika McKie with 6:57 remaining bring the Rebels within what would be the eventual final score at 49-36.
The Rebels, who still finished with their most wins since 1984, fell to 1-2 all-time vs. Kansas and 3-2 in bowl games.