San Jose State rallies from behind to beat UNLV 27-20

UNLV Rebels Cameron Friel (QB) looking down the field for an open receiver against the San Jose State Spartans defense. Photo by Jerry Kelly/T.G.Sportstv1.

LAS VEGAS, NV - The UNLV Rebels (0-6, 0-2 MW) were looking to get their first win of the season in the Mountain West Conference against the visiting San Jose State Spartans (3-4, 1-2 MW) loss 27-20.

The Rebels quarterback Cameron Friel completed 20 of his 28 passes for 240-yards, one touchdown, and was sacked five times.

Charles Williams led the Rebels in rushing, carrying the ball 23 times for 103-yards and one touchdown, and Kyle Williams was the leading receiver, with seven catches for 117-yards, followed by Steve Jenkins, with six catches for 70-yards and two touchdowns.

UNLV led 7-0 and scored on their first series of the game when their quarterback Cameron Friel threw a 6-yard touchdown pass to his wide receiver Steve Jenkins.

San Jose State made the score 7-3 after Matt Mercurio kicked a 26-yard field goal. UNLV's defense kept the Spartans from picking up a first down on fourth and one inside their nine-yard line.

The Rebels led 10-3 in the second quarter after Daniel Gutierrez kicked a 53-yard goal with 12:20 left in the first half.

UNLV's defense forced the Spartans quarterback Nick Nash to fumble in the second quarter, and Bryce Jackson (FS) recovered the ball on their 18-yard line.

UNLV Rebels #8 Charles Williams 1-yard touchdown run in the second quarter against the San Jose Spartans defense. Photo by Jerry Kelly/T.G.Sportstv1.

UNLV increased their lead to 17-3 when Charles Williams scored on a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:51 left in the first half. San Jose State made the score 17-6 after Mercurio kicked a 36-yard field goal.

The Spartans' defense came up with a fumble recovery by Rebels running back Charles Williams, and moments later, Tyler Nevens scored on a 1-yard touchdown run, and the extra point was good, trail the Rebels 17-13 at halftime.

The Rebels led the Spartans 20-13 in the third quarter when Daniel Gutierrez kicked a 30-yard field goal.

San Jose State tied the game 20-20 in the fourth inning after Nevens scored on a 10-yard touchdown run, and the extra-point was good with 14:21 left in the game.

San Jose State Spartans #16 Nick Nash (QB) 15-yard touchdown run against the UNLV Rebels defense in the fourth quarter. Photo by Jerry Kelly/T.G.Sportstv1.

With the game still tied 20-20, Guitierrez tried to kick a 23-yard field goal to give UNLV the lead from their 23-yard line, but San Jose State blocked the kick. The Rebels hadn't had a field goal attempt blocked in six years since Colorado State, on October 24, 2015.

San Jose State led 27-20 in the fourth quarter for the first time in the game after their quarterback Nick Nash scored on a 15-yard touchdown run that would be the final score of the game.

Nick Nash completed 17 of his 28 passes for 213-yards and was the leading rusher for the Spartans with 17 carries for 117-yards one touchdown and Tyler Nevens had 14 carries for 36-yards and two touchdowns.