UNLV defeated Northern Illinois 31–24 on Saturday night in Las Vegas, extending the Huskies’ losing streak to 10 games.
UNLV quarterback Jackson Arnold threw three touchdown passes, completed 20 of 30 passes for 269 yards, rushed for 86 yards on 13 carries, and threw two interceptions. He connected with Jayden McGee for a 75-yard touchdown on the first offensive snap. McGee had four catches for 106 yards.
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UNLV running back Jai’Den Thomas rushed for 114 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. He scored on a 60-yard run less than four minutes into the second half, pushing UNLV’s lead to 14 points. Thomas has 35 career rushing touchdowns — the third-highest total in program history — and 40 total touchdowns, tied for second most at UNLV.
Northern Illinois held a 17–10 lead after JJ Schlenhardt’s 27-yard field goal with 10:15 left in the first half. Arnold answered with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Keyan Burnett and later threw a 2-yard scoring pass to Taeshaun Lyons with 20 seconds remaining in the half, giving UNLV a 24–17 advantage at halftime.
Taron Dickens passed for two touchdowns for Northern Illinois: a 12-yard completion to DeAree Rogers and a 61-yard strike to George Dimopoulos. Telly Johnson Jr. added a 20-yard rushing touchdown.
Northern Illinois is 0–7 overall and 0–4 in Mountain West Conference play. UNLV is 5–3 overall and 3–1 in conference.
Northern Illinois plays at San Jose State next Saturday. UNLV hosts Wyoming next Saturday.
More: NCAAF
