The UNLV Rebels prevailed over the Califonia Golden Bears for a bowl game victory by a score of 24-13. The LA Bowl was a battle between two programs that endured extreme ups and downs during the season.
UNLV was a Mountain West title game win away from competing in the College Football Playoff. Boise State beat them 21-7 in the conference championship, but the Rebels still ended the year tying a school record with eleven wins.
The bowl victory also secures a spot as a top 25-ranked team to end a season for the first time in program history.
“We lost in the Mountain West championship, which was gut-wrenching, but it is hard to describe what this team went through in the last week and a half, and to come out, stay together, and go get this win is unreal, and I am just so proud of my guys,” said LA Bowl defensive MVP Jackson Woodard.

In their first year as a member of the ACC, the Golden Bears got off to a great start by winning their first three games on the schedule. They then followed up a five-point loss to Florida State with a one-point loss to top-ranked Miami and were never able to get back on track record-wise.
Cal ultimately lost seven of their last 10 games.
“We finished the regular season with four losses by nine points total and five losses by seventeen, so it feels a lot different in the last week of the season if we can make up those seventeen points. Those margins are the hardest ones to make up. Everybody has to do a little bit better,” said Cal head coach Justin Wilcox.
“I know we can do it. Coaches, players, and everybody who touches the football program must improve. That is what it takes to make up those 17 points so you can go into the last game 11-0,” added Wilcox.

The Golden Bears treat the game more as a building block for the future. They played two quarterbacks, five players received a carry, seven receivers caught a pass, and 27 players recorded a tackle.
“We knew there were going to be a lot of guys playing in the game regardless of the score. We got great evaluations, and some of those guys really helped themselves, and it helped us shape recruiting decisions. We wanted to see who can play winning football,” said Wilcox.
Special teams played a significant factor in the outcome of the game. UNLV successfully converted a fake punt on fourth and seven for a 52-yard gain, and the drive ultimately resulted in a touchdown for the Rebels.

Jacob De Jesus, who took home the offensive MVP award, scored a receiving touchdown, but his work as a returner stood out. De Jesus returned four kicks for 102 yards, setting up the offense with excellent field position throughout the night.
UNLV played with a purpose, and it showed on the field. Getting to eleven wins meant something to the players and coaching staff, and they wanted to make this a season to remember for the program.
“If you look at the team and how many senior and potential players at the next level stuck around to play in this bowl game, it is unheard of nowadays. It shows you how close we are as a team,” said Woodard. “It is a special way to end it, and we finally got some hardware.”

Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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