A NARROW WIN
In a thrilling matchup, UNLV narrowly defeated Kansas 23-20 in a Friday night UNLV vs Kansas showdown at Children’s Mercy Park. The game, played in front of a packed stadium of 21,493 fans, saw Kansas lose control in the final moments, continuing a difficult start to their season.
UNLV vs Kansas: A Competitive First Half
The game began with Kansas marching down the field, scoring on their first drive thanks to quarterback Jalon Daniels, who ran for an 11-yard touchdown.
Kansas followed up with another impressive drive, culminating in a 33-yard rushing touchdown by Daniels, giving the Jayhawks a solid 14-3 lead.
However, UNLV chipped away at the lead with a couple of field goals and a critical interception in the final seconds of the first half.
That interception allowed UNLV to score a touchdown, bringing the score to 17-13 at halftime.
Missed Opportunities for the Jayhawks
Kansas had multiple chances to seal the game but couldn’t capitalize. Early in the second half, Kansas extended their lead with a 41-yard field goal, making it 20-16.
But despite their advantage, Kansas couldn’t close out the game. Their defense, which had been strong for most of the night, struggled in key moments, allowing UNLV to remain within striking distance.
The UNLV vs Kansas Game-Winning Drive
With just over 11 minutes remaining, UNLV took control of the game with a grueling 18-play, 75-yard drive.
The final blow came when Rebel running back Kylin James scored a one-yard rushing touchdown on fourth down, pushing UNLV ahead 23-20. Kansas had one last opportunity to salvage the game, but a series of penalties and sacks on their final drive dashed their hopes.
Kansas Offense Falls Short Against UNLV Defense
Kansas struggled offensively in the second half. Daniels, who had two rushing touchdowns in the first half, couldn’t maintain his passing momentum, going 12-for-24 with 153 yards and two interceptions.
Running back Devin Neal shined with 120 rushing yards, but it wasn’t enough to keep the Jayhawks ahead. Despite outgaining UNLV in total offense, Kansas failed to convert their dominance into a win.
Looking Ahead
With this loss, Kansas drops to 1-2 on the season, while UNLV remains undefeated at 3-0. Kansas now faces a tough road game against West Virginia next week.
For the Jayhawks, the focus will be on improving their execution in key moments, as small mistakes have cost them victories in back-to-back weeks.
Meanwhile, UNLV continues their impressive run, solidifying their status as a rising team to watch this season.
The game was a testament to the resilience and determination of the UNLV Rebels, who never gave up despite facing a significant deficit.
Their ability to make crucial plays when it mattered most was the difference-maker in this thrilling contest.
As both teams look ahead, they will undoubtedly learn valuable lessons from this hard-fought battle, setting the stage for an exciting remainder of the season.
Watch here : Full Game Highlights UNLV Vs Kansas
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