UNLV Defeated Cal 39-31 at Allegiant Stadium
The Rebels surged in the fourth quarter to secure a victory after relinquishing a significant halftime lead.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Football
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UNLV topped Cal 39-31 at Allegiant Stadium on October 3, 2026. The Rebels overcame the loss of a 17-point halftime lead to secure the win in the fourth quarter.
Why it matters
The victory highlights the continued success of UNLV against power conference programs, maintaining a 7-2 record in such matchups since 2023.
UNLV quarterback Jackson Arnold recorded 158 passing yards and 110 rushing yards with five total touchdowns. Cal quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele completed 19 of 27 passes for 195 yards before exiting the game.
The players
Jackson Arnold
He is the starting quarterback for the UNLV football team who accounted for five total touchdowns in the victory.
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele
He serves as the starting quarterback for the Cal football team and departed the game early due to injury.
Kayden McGee
He is a wide receiver for UNLV who caught a 70-yard touchdown pass during the game.
Taz Reddicks
He is a wide receiver for UNLV who recorded a 36-yard touchdown reception.
Jackson Brousseau
He is the backup quarterback for Cal who entered the game following an injury to the starter.
The details
Jackson Arnold led the UNLV offense with a 70-yard touchdown pass to Kayden McGee, a 36-yard scoring toss to Taz Reddicks, and a 55-yard rushing touchdown. Cal was forced to rely on backup quarterback Jackson Brousseau after starter Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele left the game due to a head injury.
Timeline
The game took place on October 3, 2026.
UNLV began its current nine-game stretch against power conference opponents in 2023.
Season Trajectory
This victory bolsters UNLV's standing in its ongoing series of high-profile games against established power conference opponents. The result keeps the team on a competitive trajectory relative to their performance benchmarks set over the past three seasons.
The victory moves UNLV to a 7-2 record in power conference matchups since 2023, signaling sustained competitiveness for the program. The injury to Cal's starting quarterback will force immediate adjustments to their offensive rotation for upcoming games.
The takeaway
The game demonstrated the impact of depth, as UNLV's offense continued to produce despite the fluctuating lead. Maintaining performance consistency remains the primary challenge for teams navigating high-stakes games against conference rivals.
Further reading
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Should coaches remove players from games immediately if they show signs of a head injury?
