Game day: UNLV falls to Kansas in Guaranteed Rate Bowl

By Mike Grimala (contact)

Published Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 | 2 a.m.

Updated Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 | 9:48 p.m.

UNLV tried to pull off its biggest comeback of the season, but Kansas proved to be too much to overcome, as the Jayhawks scored 21 points in the fourth quarter to seal a 49-36 victory in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

Two first-half interceptions helped put UNLV in a 28-7 hole, and though the Scarlet and Gray rallied to trim the deficit to 28-24 early in the fourth quarter, they could not get over the hump.

Kansas spent most of the night picking on UNLV's overmatched secondary, lobbing deep balls on every drive and racking up a bunch of big plays. KU quarterback Jason Bean passed for 449 yards and six touchdowns, and four of the Jayhawks' scores came on plays of 40 yards or longer.

Jayden Maiava worked through his two early picks and finished with 291 and three touchdowns. Jacob De Jesus caught eight passes for 95 yards, while Ricky White pulled down seven for 97 yards.

UNLV finishes the year at 9-5, with three straight losses to close out the 2023 campaign. Despite the rough ending, it was undoubtedly a massively successful season for the program, and with most of the key players returning in 2024, it should be an exciting offseason.

De Jesus scores, UNLV within 35-30 in fourth quarter

It's back to a one-possession game here in Phoenix, as Jacob De Jesus just scored on an 11-yard run to pull UNLV within 35-30 with 12:06 remaining.

It was an impressive drive for the Scarlet and Gray, powered by a 38-yard catch-and-run by De Jesus. The junior receiver has been all over the field today with 95 receiving yards and 40 rushing yards, plus another 40 yards in the return game.

It'll be up to the UNLV defense again. If they can get a stop, the offense would get the ball and a chance to take the lead.

Kansas scores, UNLV trails in fourth quarter

Kansas just threw a haymaker, scoring a long touchdown on a 4th-down play to restore a 35-24 lead with 14:52 left in the fourth quarter.

The Jayhawks faced a 4th-and-1 from the 40 to open the final quarter, and instead of playing it safe with a run or a quarterback sneak, Jason Bean rolled out and hit a wide-open Lawrence Arnold running across the field for a 40-yard touchdown.

UNLV had a couple chances to stop Kansas before that play. On the fourth play of the drive, running back Daniel Hishaw fumbled, but UNLV was unable to recover and the Jayhawks retained possession. Then on a 3rd-and-17, Kansas handed off to Devin Neal and he picked up 16 yards, which allowed the offense to stay on the field and go for it, leading to the long touchdown.

There is still plenty of time for UNLV to come back — if the offense can stay hot. Let's see what Brennan Marion, Jayden Maiava and the skill players draw up on this next critical possession.

UNLV on comeback trail, down 28-24

If you didn't expect UNLV to mount a comeback, you haven't watched much of the Scarlet and Gray this season.

Back to back touchdown passes by Jayden Maiava have trimmed the Kansas lead to 28-24 with 10:17 left in the third quarter.

Cornerback Cameron Oliver got it started by intercepting Kansas quarterback Jason Bean on the opening drive of the second half. A few plays later, Maiava hit tight end Shelton Zeon for a 5-yard touchdown.

The UNLV defense then forced a 3-and-out, and on the first play of the ensuing possession, Maiava lofted a perfect 37-yard bomb to Ricky White for another touchdown.

Just like that, Barry Odom's squad has life and all the momentum on its side.

UNLV trails Kansas at halftime of Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Kansas's offense has been as explosive as advertised, as the Jayhawks scored 28 unanswered points to take a 28-10 lead over UNLV at halftime of the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

The game has gotten away from the Scarlet and Gray since their opening-drive touchdown. Freshman quarterback Jayden Maiava has been pressured into a pair of interceptions, and the secondary has allowed several deep completions, including a 44-yarder from Jason Bean to Quentin Skinner that set up a 1-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the half.

Bean has 12-of-17 passes for a staggering 274 yards and three touchdowns. Luke Grimm has three catches for 117 yards and two scores.

Offensively, UNLV hasn't been able to get in gear since the early touchdown drive. Aside from Maiava's struggles, the Scarlet and Gray are averaging just 3.4 yards per rush.

They were able to mount a two-minute drill to close the first half, aided by a pair of 15-yard penalties against the Kansas defense to set up a Jose Pizano 40-yard field goal.

UNLV has pulled off some incredible comebacks this season, rallying from 17-point deficits against Vanderbilt and Air Force, but Kansas is by far the best team they have faced. It's going to be an uphill battle in the second half.

Kansas pushes ahead of UNLV, 14-7

Mistakes have hurt UNLV throughout the first half, and Kansas has taken advantage to build a 14-7 lead with 9:00 left in the second quarter.

Kansas went ahead early in the second when a miscommunication in the UNLV secondary left receiver Luke Grimm completely uncovered on a downfield route. Jason Bean hit him for an easy 60-yard touchdown, Grimm's second of the game.

That drive was set up by the first turnover of the night. UNLV was driving on the outskirts of the red zone when a bad snap dribbled back to quarterback Jayden Maiava. The freshman was able to retrieve it, but he then tried to keep the play alive; Maiava forced a throw into coverage, and Kansas was able to pick it off. Six plays later, Grimm broke free for his long touchdown.

UNLV had a chance to get three points back on the ensuing possession, but Jose Pizano came up short on a 52-yard field goal attempt. It was just the second miss of the season for the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Year.

Kansas now has the ball at the 32-yard line, looking to add to its lead.

UNLV, Kansas tied 7-7 in Guaranteed Rate Bowl

Kansas has joined in on the action, as the Jayhawks just marched 98 yards for a tying touchdown. At the end of the first quarter, the score here is 7-7.

UNLV's defense showed well on Kansas's first drive, forcing a 3-and-out (and a measly 30-yard punt), but the offense couldn't take advantage. A false start on first down put the Scarlet and Gray behind schedule, and a 4-yard loss on second down pretty much ended the drive.

Marshall Nichols dropped his punt at the 2-yard line, but Kansas dug out of the hole on a 36-yard pass from Jason Bean to Luke Grimm. Grimm then finished off the possession by taking a short pass six yards for a touchdown.

UNLV is in the process of mounting another potential scoring drive. Jayden Maiava hit Jacob De Jesus for a 14-yard pass to convert a big third down, and the Scarlet and Gray will have a 1st-and-10 at the Kansas 29-yard line to open the second quarter.

De Jesus already has 52 receiving yards to lead all players.

UNLV off to fast start with 7-0 lead over Kansas

UNLV has started fast in Phoenix, scoring a touchdown on the game's opening drive to take a 7-0 lead over Kansas in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

The Scarlet and Gray got creative from the first snap, as slot receiver Jacob De Jesus lined up in the backfield and took a handoff for 23 yards. Later in the drive, the 5-foot-7 De Jesus lined up at tight end and caught a pass for another 23 yards.

On 3rd-and-goal, senior Vincent Davis reversed field and powered through two Kansas defenders on the goal line to score the game's first touchdown.

UNLV couldn't have asked for a better start. Now let's see if the defense can make a statement early against Kansas's high-powered attack.

UNLV takes on Kansas in Guaranteed Rate Bowl

The moment has finally arrived for UNLV football. After a decade of waiting, the Scarlet and Gray are back in a bowl, as they’ll kick off against Kansas in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl on Tuesday (6 p.m., ESPN).

Can Barry Odom’s squad cap off their astounding turnaround season with a 10^th victory? Three keys to watch:

Gotta get stops

UNLV’s defense looked worn down toward the end of the season, and it showed in the amount of big plays they allowed over the final two contests. San Jose State and Boise State combined to score five touchdowns of 25 yards or longer, and the Scarlet and Gray lost both games.

Like both of those teams, Kansas features a star running back in Devin Neal (1,209 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns) and a quarterback capable of beating them deep in Jason Bean (61.4%, 1,681 yards, 12 touchdowns). Will three weeks of rest have UNLV’s defenders back at top speed on Tuesday?

Senior defensive lineman Jalen Dixon said the game plan is all about matching up with Kansas’s offensive line and rallying to the ball.

“They’ve got big guys who move well and they’re all athletes, so it’s going to be a battle up front,” Dixon said. “We’ve been up against some good backs the last couple weeks. It’s going to be fun. We’re going to go out there and do our job and try to come away with a dub.”

Game ready

Football is a regimented sport. Coaches like to detail their practices, off-days, travel days and game days down to the minute, but the run-up to a bowl game can threaten that rhythm.

With the Guaranteed Rate Bowl set on a Tuesday, and the team being on the road for five days (instead of the usual two), plus a big holiday smacked in the middle of the trip, UNLV has been off-schedule while preparing for this one.

Odom isn’t looking at it as a negative, however. He wants his players to enjoy the bowl experience, while balancing the amount of work it is going to take in order to come out on top on Tuesday.

Odom reported that the team’s practices were strong, and that Saturday’s final full-tilt session would have the Scarlet and Gray ready to go against Kansas.

“Guys have handled it really well,” Odom said. “In any bowl game, you want them to understand it’s a reward for what they’ve earned up to this point, and the reward will be so much greater if they win the game. We’ve talked openly about that. I think our team does have maturity, and it’s been a really good week.”

Last look at go-go (for now)

Will we get an explosive season finale for the go-go offense?

At media day on Sunday, star receiver Ricky White announced that he’s coming back for his senior year, and Mountain West Freshman of the Year Jayden Maiava said he has no intention to transfer. Add in the imminent return of offensive coordinator Brennan Marion, and it looks like UNLV is set to run it back with their offensive core in 2024.

That’s all good news, but Maiava wants to put another big number on the scoreboard and carry that momentum into the offseason.

“It’s another good opportunity,” Maiava said. “It’s a lot of energy out there [in practice]. I can tell the guys are excited and ready to play.”

What: UNLV vs. Kansas

Where: Chase Field (Phoenix, Ariz.)

When: Tuesday, 6 p.m.

TV: ESPN

Radio: 1100AM, 100.9FM

Line: Kansas -12.5

UNLV leaders

Passing

Jayden Maiava: 62.9%, 2,794 yards, 14 TDs, 8 INTs

Rushing

Vincent Davis: 722 yards, 5.5 yards per carry, 6 TDs

Receiving

Ricky White: 81 receptions, 1,386 yards, 7 TDs

Defense

Jackson Woodard: 114 tackles, 8.0 TFLs, 2.5 sacks, 1 INT

Kansas leaders

Passing

Jason Bean: 61.4%, 1,681 yards, 12 TDs, 4 INTs

Rushing

Devin Neal: 1,209 yards, 6.6 yards per carry

Receiving

Lawrence Arnold: 38 receptions, 650 yards, 3 TDs

Defense

Austin Booker: 56 tackles, 12.0 TFLs, 8.0 sacks

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.