The first half was a defensive battle, with neither team able to establish any offensive rhythm. UNLV quarterback Doug Brumfield was sacked three times and intercepted once, while Kansas quarterback Jason Bean was limited to just 89 passing yards. The only points in the half came via a pair of field goals by Rebel kicker Daniel Gutierrez.
After intermission, UNLV’s offense finally showed some life. Brumfield connected with wide receiver Kyle Williams for a 40-yard touchdown, giving the Rebels their first lead of the game. However, Kansas responded with a touchdown drive of its own, tying the score at 10-10.
With just over 13 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Kansas took the lead for the first time when Bean found Jermaine Hamilton for a 20-yard touchdown. The Jayhawks defense then forced a three-and-out from UNLV, giving them a golden opportunity to extend their advantage.
But destiny had other plans. James broke loose for a 32-yard touchdown run with 2:05 left on the clock, stunning the Kansas defense. The Rebel defense then held strong, forcing Bean to throw two incomplete passes, sealing the victory.
After the game, James deflected the praise, giving credit to his teammates and coaches. “I’m just one piece of the puzzle,” said James. “My linemen did a great job blocking, and my teammates kept battling all night. This is a huge win for our program.”
The victory marks the first time UNLV has defeated a Power Five conference team since 2018. It also gives the Rebels a much-needed boost as they prepare for the Mountain West Conference opener next week. Kansas, meanwhile, will look to rebound when they host Northern Illinois next weekend.
