SAN DIEGO – UNLV running back Lexington Thomas scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 75-yard run with 3:27 left to give the visiting Rebels a 27-24 comeback victory over San Diego State on Saturday at SDCCU Stadium.
With the loss, the Aztecs (7-3, 4-2 Mountain West) saw their seven-game home winning streak dating back to last year snapped, as UNLV won for the first time in San Diego since 2000, a span of nine games.
For the eighth consecutive week, the Aztecs found themselves in a game decided by eight or less points and appeared to be in control after Tim Wilson Jr. hauled in a 34-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Agnew on the final play of the third quarter that gave the host school a 24-13 advantage.
However, the Rebels (3-7, 1-5 MW) responded with an 11-play 75-yard march, culminating in Max Gilliam's 10-yard scoring strike to Brandon Presley at the 9:19 mark of the fourth quarter, which narrowed the gap to 24-19. UNLV benefited from a roughing-the-passer penalty and a Gilliam-to-Thomas completion out of the backfield that gained 25 on a 3rd-and-20 play.
Looking to answer the Rebels' touchdown, SDSU had a first down at the UNLV 44, but gained just two yards on the next three plays before Brandon Heicklen's punt pinned the visitors at their own 8-yard line.
Four plays later, Thomas broke free down the right sideline before cutting across the field through the Aztec secondary on his decisive run to the end zone. Moments later, Gilliam hit Presley for a two-point conversion to put the Rebels in front to stay 27-24.
Unfazed, SDSU advanced to near midfield with 1:23 left to play, but on 2nd-and-10, Jericho Flowers intercepted an Agnew pass at the UNLV 34, effectively ending the Aztecs' comeback hopes. Forced to burn its final two timeouts of the half, San Diego State got the ball back following a punt, but its final play with six seconds remaining went awry.
On a night when the running game was largely held in check, wide receiver Tim Wilson Jr. gave the Scarlet and Black a tremendous boost, posting career-highs of five receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. With his performance, Wilson became the Aztecs' first 100-yard receiver since Fred Trevillion accomplished the feat against Boise State on Oct. 14, 2017.
After spotting UNLV six points on a pair of first-quarter field goals, SDSU finally got on the board with just over a minute elapsed in the second period when Christian Chapman found Wilson in the back of the end zone from 13 yards out to provide the hosts a 7-6 advantage. Earlier in the drive, Chapman connected with Wilson for gains of 31 and 10 yards, respectively, to put the Aztecs within striking distance.
The Rebels countered with a big play of their own on the next possession when Gilliam hooked up with Presley down the middle for a 46-yard gain down to the SDSU 2-yard line. Thomas barreled over the goal line on the ensuing snap, putting UNLV on top 13-7.
After an exchange of punts, the Aztecs progressed 62 yards in 12 plays, punctuated by Juwan Washington's two-yard touchdown run on fourth down with 28 seconds left, to take a slim 14-13 advantage into the locker room. Wilson also came up huge on the drive with a 35-yard catch that gave SDSU a first down at the Rebel 11.
John Baron missed a 34-yard field goal on the Aztecs' first possession of the second half, but later atoned for his errant boot with a 33-yarder at the 4:51 mark of the third quarter, which extended SDSU's lead to 17-13. Redshirt freshman Ethan Dedeaux, who finished with seven catches for 63 yards, helped set up the kick with a 46-yard reception.
Later in the period with UNLV driving just past midfield, Parker Baldwin pounced on a Charles Williams fumble after Troy Cassidy punched the ball loose, giving the Aztecs possession at their own 43. On the very next play, Washington swept around left end for 27 yards, which put SDSU in business just prior to Agnew's aforementioned touchdown pass to Wilson that widened the margin to 24-13 heading into the fourth quarter.
For the second game in a row, the Aztecs rotated two quarterbacks, as Chapman completed 8-of-10 passes with one touchdown and one interception before giving way to Agnew on SDSU's second series of the second quarter. Agnew threw for 173 yards on 14-of-26 passing with one touchdown and one interception.
As team, the Aztecs were outgained 436-368, including a 199-89 spread in rushing, with Washington compiling 66 of those yards.
Conversely, Thomas gained 133 yards on the ground to lead all players. He also had a 61-yard touchdown run called back by a holding penalty late in the fourth quarter. In addition, Darren Woods Jr. totaled four receptions for 100 yards to pace UNLV.
For the fifth consecutive game, Kyahva Tezino led San Diego State in tackles, posting 14 stops on Saturday, which gives him five games with double-digit tackles this season and seven in his career.