MARCO GARCIA / IMAGN IMAGES
UNLV Rebels defensive lineman Lucas Conti (94) tackles Hawaii Rainbow Warriors running back DeVon Rice (1) during the first quarter at the Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex.
UNLV made the most of the Hawaii football team’s mistakes and lapses for a 21-6 victory at the Ching Complex tonight.
Quarterback Jackson Arnold rushed for two touchdowns and Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas raced 50 yards for the dagger score to help the Rebels retain the Ninth Island Trophy.
The Rebels sacked UH quarterback Micah Alejado five times, knocked down three of his passes and came up with the decisive interception with 3:42 to play.
The Rebels evened their record at 1-1. In dropping the Mountain West opener, the Rainbow Warriors fell to 0-2 overall. They play host to New Mexico State next week.
The Warriors could not capitalize on two big opportunities in the second half.
After Alejado exited for a play with what appeared to be calf cramps, Bjorn Jurgensen fired a 15-yard laser that Audric Harris caught in the end zone. Although Harris fell backward with the ball in his grip, Trey Fulton stripped the ball. The officials ruled it was not a catch and that Fulton did not commit a targeting foul. Sean Olvera-Harle then kicked a 33-yard field goal to close UH to 14-6.
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In the fourth quarter, the Warriors faced a fourth-and-1 from the UNLV 10. On a dive that worked earlier in the drive, this time Lucas Conti stopped powerback Sitani Mikaele for no gain as the Warriors forfeited possession.
A little rain and a lot of Arnold lifted the Rebels to a 14-3 lead at the intermission.
Arnold, a double transfer from Oklahoma and then Auburn, scored on runs of 7 and 2 yards to account for the Rebels’ first-half scoring. His 12-yard keeper set up his first touchdown.
In the second quarter, Arnold connected with Kayden McGee on a 44-yard pass to advance the ball to the UH 8. Two plays and two UH timeouts later, Arnold sprinted into the B gap between the left tackle and left guard for the 14-3 lead. Arnold was able to neutralize the Warriors’ pressure with play-action passes and elusive running. He ran for 71 first-half yards on 11 non-sack scrambles and keepers. UH’s first sack came when Arnold slipped to the turf while trying to launch a Hail Mary as time expired in the first half.
UH’s offense struggled in the first half, amassing 109 yards. Alejado was 6-for-20 in the first half. Three of his passes were knocked down, including twice by outside linebacker Andre Porter in the same series.
Olvera-Harle’s 39-yard field goal accounted for the Warriors’ first-half scoring.