UNLV Holds Off Northern Illinois 31-24: Arnold Throws Three Touchdown Passes, Including a 75-Yard Opener
In Las Vegas, Nevada, UNLV defeated Northern Illinois 31-24 on Saturday night, October 31, at Allegiant Stadium, improving to 5-3 overall and 3-1 in the Mountain West. Northern Illinois fell to 0-8 (0-4 in conference).
UNLV struck on the game's first play from scrimmage, a 75-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jackson Arnold. Arnold finished 20-of-30 for 269 yards and three touchdowns, with two interceptions, and added 86 rushing yards on 13 carries. He tied the game at 17-17 with a 31-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and put UNLV ahead 24-17 at halftime with a 2-yard scoring throw. In the third quarter, running back Jai'Den Thomas broke a 60-yard touchdown run to make it 31-17; Thomas carried 16 times for 114 yards, and his 35 career rushing touchdowns rank third in program history.
Northern Illinois outgained UNLV 493-473, with 240 rushing yards and 253 passing yards, but could not pull even. Quarterback Taron Dickens was 19-of-37 for two touchdowns, including a 61-yard strike to George Dimopoulos in the third quarter that cut the margin to 31-24. Dimopoulos caught seven passes for a career-high 127 yards, running back Elijah Porter rushed 21 times for a career-high 113 yards, and Telly Johnson Jr. added a 20-yard rushing touchdown, but the Huskies were held scoreless on their final three possessions.
Northern Illinois plays at San Jose State next Saturday, November 7, while UNLV continues its Mountain West schedule at home against Wyoming.
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：比赛场馆 Allegiant Stadium 外景（资料图，2024 年超级碗 LVIII 期间摄，立面屏幕为当时赛事标识）。摄影：Jerry Glaser，美国海关与边境保护局（CBP），公有领域，来源：Wikimedia Commons
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