UNLV’s defense made the difference in a 13-7 win over North Dakota State at Allegiant Stadium, shutting out the Bison in the second half to clinch a key Mountain West football game. The Rebels improved to 4-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play, while North Dakota State fell to 5-1 and 2-1 in the Mountain West.
The game was tied 7-7 at halftime after UNLV’s redshirt freshman defensive lineman Andre Porter returned an interception 23 yards for a touchdown early in the game. North Dakota State answered with a 19-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Nathan Hayes to wide receiver Chris Kiel to tie it before the break.
UNLV pulled ahead with two second-half field goals by kicker Ramon Villela. The decisive moment came in the final minute when Mumu Bin-Wahad intercepted a pass to officially clinch the victory. UNLV quarterback Jackson Arnold threw his first interception of the season in the first half, ending a streak of 142 attempts without a pick—the longest in UNLV history for a quarterback starting his Rebels career.
The win marked the first time North Dakota State had been held scoreless in a half this season, as they had entered the game allowing fewer than 10 points per game on average. UNLV’s nonconference slate concluded with the victory, setting up a return to Mountain West play.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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