UNLV snaps 14-game losing streak, wins at New Mexico

The losing streak is finally over.

Marcus Arroyo is victorious as UNLV’s football coach.

The Rebels on Saturday snapped a 14-game losing skid with a 31-17 victory over Mountain West foe New Mexico at University Stadium in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Rebels players doused the second-year head coach with Powerade in celebration. Twice.

Frosty showers befitting the accomplishment.

Senior running back Charles Williams ran for 74 yards and two scores, setting the program’s career rushing record — eclipsing Tim Cornett’s mark of 3,733 yards. Freshman quarterback Cameron Friel commanded an efficient and effective offense en route to 227 passing yards and two touchdowns.

“I’m proud of these guys and the coaches and the staff to hang in there,” Arroyo said. “Hanging in there when things aren’t going your way, it says a lot about character. As a team. As a program. An identity for everybody. … It’s a lot tougher to go back to work every day when things aren’t going your way.

“But that says a lot about our team and our group and our program. Where we’re headed. We got more.”

It’d been a tumultuous two years for the UNLV football program, which hired Arroyo to coach on Dec. 13, 2019. His first season was truncated by the COVID-19 pandemic and concluded with an 0-6 record.

This season was marred by, well, more losing.

Five times this season, the Rebels (1-8, 1-4 Mountain West) lost by one score — coupling palpable progress with an inability to close. An untimely penalty here. An untimely turnover there.

Loss after loss after loss after loss.

But their competitive spirit remained strong despite the losing, and on Saturday they finally played four full quarters — avoiding the egregious mistakes that extended the losing streak. They surrendered a score on New Mexico’s opening drive before rebounding with two takeaways and seized control.

Lobos quarterback Isaiah Chavez lost two fumbled in his own territory, preceding a 4-yard touchdown run by Williams and a 15-yard touchdown pass from Friel to Marcus Phillips Jr.

New Mexico (3-6, 1-4) promptly responded with a 75-yard touchdown run by Bobby Cole. But Friel play-faked and connected with Kyle Williams for a 75-yard touchdown on the ensuing play to power UNLV to a 21-17 halftime lead.

The option offense that resulted in 250 first-half rushing yards fizzled for the Lobos in the second half, adding a mere 10 more against improved play from UNLV’s defensive front.

The Rebels stayed the course, combining safe completions with a steady dose of Charles Williams to add to their lead. The sixth-year senior tacked on his second touchdown run early in the fourth quarter to give UNLV a healthy two-score lead.

New Mexico’s punchless passing offense, ranked 124th among 130 qualified FBS programs, did not have the firepower to close the gap down the stretch.

Kyle Williams finished with seven catches for 137 yards and a touchdown, recapturing the form that helped him earn Mountain West Offensive Freshman of the Year honors in 2020.

The Rebels return to Las Vegas next Saturday to host Hawaii at Allegiant Stadium.

Contact reporter Sam Gordon at sgordon@reviewjournal.com. Follow @BySamGordon on Twitter.