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UNLV 29-27 Hawai’i (November 9, 2024) Game Recap

HONOLULU — — Hajj-Malik Williams had a touchdown pass and a touchdown run to lead UNLV to a 29-27 victory over Hawaii on Saturday night.

The outcome remained in doubt until Williams raced 40 yards to the Hawaii 15 on third-and-3 with 1:09 to go.

Williams completed 13 of 27 passes for 175 yards and carried 19 times for 122 yards for the Runnin’ Rebels (7-2, 3-1 Mountain West Conference). Jai’Don Thomas rushed 16 times for 109 yards, while UNLV gained 290 on the ground. Ricky White III had seven receptions for 128 yards.

UNLV jumped out to a 10-0 lead on Caden Chittendon’s 41-yard field goal, followed by Williams’ 23-yard touchdown run.

Hawaii (4-6, 2-3) answered two plays later when Brayden Schager connected with Dekel Crowdus for a 74-yard touchdown to get the Rainbow Warriors within three points. The Runnin’ Rebels added a safety for a 12-7 lead after one quarter.

Hawaii pulled within two points at halftime on a 41-yard field goal by Kansei Matsuzawa.

Chittendon’s 32-yard field goal pushed the UNLV advantage to five early in the third quarter, but Schager answered with a 49-yard score to Jonah Panoke and Hawaii moved ahead 17-15.

Williams needed just four plays to regain a five-point lead for the Rebels, connecting with White for a 37-yard touchdown with 6:53 remaining. Matsuzawa’s 33-yard field goal in the final minute cut the Rainbow Warriors’ deficit to 22-20 heading into the fourth quarter.

Hawaii gained 3 combined yards on two consecutive drives with a chance to take the lead. Thomas followed with a 32-yard touchdown run, giving UNLV a two-score lead with 6:03 to play.

Schager hit Panoke for a 5-yard touchdown to put the Rainbow Warriors within two minutes later.

Schager totaled 282 yards on 14-for-35 passing with an interception for Hawaii.

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