UNLV Edges Northern Illinois 31-24
Jackson Arnold threw three touchdown passes as UNLV handed Northern Illinois its 10th straight loss.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
UNLV defeated Northern Illinois 31-24 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. The win extended Northern Illinois's losing streak to 10 games, leaving the Huskies 0-7 overall and 0-4 in the Mountain West Conference.
Why it matters
The result deepens Northern Illinois's winless stretch, which dates to a 45-3 win at UMass on Nov. 12, 2025. For UNLV, the victory keeps its conference season on track with a home game against Wyoming next.
Jai'Den Thomas rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Jackson Arnold completed 20 of 30 passes for 269 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions. Arnold also added 86 rushing yards on 13 carries.
The players
UNLV
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas is a public research university and member of the Mountain West Conference whose football program won this matchup at home.
Northern Illinois Huskies
The Northern Illinois University football program competes in the Mountain West Conference and entered this game on a 10-game losing streak.
The details
Arnold threw a 75-yard touchdown pass to Jayden McGee on the first play from scrimmage. Thomas later broke free for a 60-yard touchdown run less than four minutes into the second half, and Keyan Burnett and Taeshaun Lyons also caught touchdown passes from Arnold.
Timeline
Nov. 12, 2025: Northern Illinois last won, 45-3 at UMass.
Oct. 31, 2026: UNLV defeated Northern Illinois 31-24 in Las Vegas.
Next Saturday: Northern Illinois plays at San Jose State, and UNLV hosts Wyoming.
Season Trajectory
The loss leaves Northern Illinois with no conference wins through four games and little margin for error as the Mountain West season progresses. For UNLV, the win strengthens its position in a conference race where every home result carries weight.
Northern Illinois's losing streak now stands at 10, which matters for playoff and bowl eligibility given its 0-4 Mountain West start. Fantasy managers tracking Thomas and Arnold should note Thomas's 114-yard, touchdown-scoring output and Arnold's dual-threat production.
The takeaway
Northern Illinois's struggles this season show how quickly a conference schedule can slip away, while UNLV's balanced attack, led by Arnold and Thomas, shows the value of a two-way ground and air threat. Fans tracking either program should watch how both teams handle their next road and home tests.
What happens next
Northern Illinois plays at San Jose State next Saturday, and UNLV hosts Wyoming the same day.
Further reading
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