UNLV Beats Northern Illinois 31-24 as Arnold Throws Three Touchdowns in First Win Over the Huskies

UNLV beat Northern Illinois 31-24 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Saturday night, October 31, 2026, behind three touchdown passes from Jackson Arnold. The win was the first in program history over the Huskies, who had won all five previous meetings between the schools. UNLV improved to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the Mountain West. Northern Illinois fell to 0-8 and 0-4 in its first Mountain West season, and the Huskies lost a game they led in total yards, first downs and time of possession.

A 75 yard opening play

UNLV scored on the first play of the game. Arnold found Kayden McGee for a 75 yard touchdown, and the Rebels led inside the opening minute. Northern Illinois answered with a 20 yard rushing touchdown from Telly Johnson Jr., and a 20 yard field goal from Ramon Villela put UNLV back in front 10-7. Taron Dickens then threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to DeAree Rogers, giving the Huskies a 14-10 lead after one quarter.

The second quarter went to UNLV. JJ Schlenhardt kicked a 27 yard field goal for Northern Illinois, but Arnold threw a 31 yard touchdown pass to Keyan Burnett and then a 2 yard touchdown pass to Taeshaun Lyons with 25 seconds left in the half. UNLV went into the break ahead 24-17, and it never trailed again.

One touchdown each in the third

Jai'Den Thomas stretched the lead at 11:26 of the third quarter, running 60 yards for a touchdown that made it 31-17. Northern Illinois replied less than two minutes later. Dickens hit George Dimopoulos for a 61 yard touchdown at 9:39, cutting the score to 31-24.

Neither team scored in the fourth quarter. Northern Illinois drove for one last chance to tie, but Schlenhardt missed a 54 yard field goal with 2:23 left. UNLV took over and ran out the clock, with Arnold taking kneel downs at 1:13 and 0:36 to close the game. The game was played in a light rain shower at 66 degrees and was broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

The numbers behind the result

Arnold finished 20 of 30 passing for 269 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions, and he added 86 yards on 13 carries. Thomas led the UNLV ground game with 114 yards and one touchdown on 16 carries. McGee caught five passes for 112 yards and one touchdown, Lyons caught four for 51 yards and one touchdown, and Burnett caught two for 36 yards and one touchdown.

Dickens finished 19 of 37 for 253 yards, two touchdowns and one interception, with 50 rushing yards on eight carries. Elijah Porter carried 21 times for 113 yards for Northern Illinois. Dimopoulos caught seven passes for 127 yards and one touchdown, Rogers caught seven for 96 yards and one touchdown, and Johnson ran eight times for 72 yards and one touchdown.

The team totals explain why the Huskies will feel this one got away. Northern Illinois outgained UNLV 493 yards to 473, led first downs 24 to 22 and held the ball for 35:09 against 24:51 for UNLV. Kicking made a difference: Schlenhardt made one of his three field goal tries for Northern Illinois, while Villela made his only field goal and all four extra points for UNLV. UNLV threw two interceptions to one for Northern Illinois, but the Rebels scored on the plays that decided the game and protected a seven point lead for the full fourth quarter.