Cal Bears defensive back Aidan Manutai (14) intercepts a pass intended for UNLV Rebels tight end Keynan Burnett (bottom) in the first half at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sat Oct 3, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Saturday afternoon, the California Bears (2-3) matched up with the the UNLV Rebels (3-2). The game was played in the fully enclosed climate controlled Allegiant Stadium keeping fans happy and comfortable escaping the 95 degree temperatures which is relatively cool for Las Vegas. This will be the final non-conference game of the season for Cal.
It was a great start for the Bears in the opening quarter. Californis was first up on the scoreboard taking a 7-0 lead. The Rebels tied up the game 7-7 going into the second quarter. The Rebels took the lead in the second quarter 14-7.
Las Vegas would continue to push their lead hitting a 31-yard field goal taking a 17-7 lead. They would close out the second quarter scoring their third touchdown of the day taking a 24-7 lead into the third quarter. This game went loco in the third quarter with Cal going on a wild ride.
The Bears scored a touchdown followed by a successful two-point conversion to open the second half. With the score now 24-15 Cal forced a turnover on the next drive finishing it with a field goal and the Bears inched closer to Las Vegas 24-18 in a one-score game.
Cal scored in the early minutes of the fourth quarter taking their first lead since the first quarter 25-24. Las Vegas answered back scoring extending their lead to 32-25. Las Vegas quarterback Arnold went on to score his second rushing touchdown of the day and the Rebels had a 39-25 lead. With little time left on the clock the Bears kept playing tough scoring a touchdown but unsuccessfully going for the two-point conversion. The final score in a wild one was in favor of the Rebels 39-31
GAME RECAP
The Bears were first up on the scoreboard taking a 7-0 lead at 11:30 in the first quarter. Quarterback Jason-Keawe Sagapolutele threw a bomb for 91 yards to Taimaine Percell for the touchdown and the early lead. At 5:31 the Rebels would tie up the game when quarterback Jackson Arnold completed a 70-yard pass to Kayden McGee for the touchdown. It had been an electric showing through the air for both quarterbacks in the first quarter.
Las Vegas broke the tie in the second quarter scoring early at 11:18. Arnold had his second touchdown of the day this score a 55-yard rush taking a 14-7 lead. When it looked as if the Bears had tied up this game mid-way through the second quarter, Cal was called for holding putting an end to an impressive drive.
The Bears were forced to attempt a 51-yard field goal which failed and the score remained 14-7 in favor of UNLV. After the opening touchdown, California began to stumble. In the closing minutes of the second quarter Las Vegas not only hit a 31-yard field goal for a 17-7 lead but with 51 seconds left on the clock Arnold continued the beautiful rhythmn he had started to play with.
He completed a 36 yard pass to Taz Reddicks and the Rebels took a 24-7 lead into the locker room at the half. The Bears would have the ball to start the second half. In the closing minutes of the half Cal quarterback Sagapolutele took a late hit and was forced to leave the game. Jackson Brousseau took over to finish the second quarter.
Mid-way through the third quarter Cal finally got something going. They were able to force the Rebels to punt and began their drive on their own 42-yard-line at 5:43. Brosseau found Alonzo Esparza for 63 yards, the touchdown and a successful two-point conversion and the Bears now trailed 15-24 with a lot of time left in the game.
This game took a shocking turn when at 4:32 the Bears forced a turnover and began operaging at the Rebels 16-yard-line. Again another penalty for Cal backing the ball up to the 28-yard-line. The Bears got a little closer but were unable to get a first down.
They successfully kicked the field goal and the score was 24-18 in favor of Las Vegas. This game had not yet reached the fourth quarter and the Bears were nipping at the Rebel’s heels in this one-score game. It had been a crazy momentum turnaround. In the closing minutes of the third quarter Cal again held the Rebels taking possession.
As the fourth quarter got underway Cal sacked Arnold for an 11 yard lpss and the Bears took possession inside Rebel territory. California continued to advance the ball getting inside the ten-yard-line via a holding penalty. Ashton Emory rushed for 7-yards and the touchdown; Cal taking their first lead 25-24 since the first quarter. The Bears had scored 18 unanswered points.
A second targeting call in this game was called this one on Cal’s Daniel Harris and he was ejected leaving the Cal defense vunerable. Cal was now 3 players down defensively. Las Vegas went on to score hitting a wide-open Keyan Burnett catching his first touchdown of the season.
Las Vegas went for the conversion with Arnold successful and UNLV had a 32-25 lead with 5:42 left in the game. The Bears Miles Davis very nearly scored on the ensuing possession when he stepped out of bounds near the 50-line yard line. The Rebels defense held Cal and took possession moving downfield aided by Cal’s 14th penalty of the game.
Arnold would score his second rushing touchdown of the day and the Rebels had errupted leading 39-25. The Bears would drive downfield in their next drive going for it on fourth and 12 and succeeding leading to another touchdown. Ian Strong caught his first touchdown of the season in the endzone, the two-point attempt failed and that was the ball game with Las Vegas coming away with the win 39-31 in an abolute marathon.
GAME NOTES
It was a banner day for UNLV quarterback Jackson Arnold throwing for 172 yards and three touchdowns, rushing for two. Cal’s quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was on his way to a productive afternoong before leaving the game just before the first half came to an end.
He suffered a rough hit to the head and remained out for the rest of the game. Bears quarterback Jackson Brousseau came in for Sagapolutele and came away with some nice numbers. He finished with 200 passing yards and two touchdowns.
What probably hurt Cal the most were the plethora of penalties. Fifteen penalties resulted in 152 yards which extended or disrupted drives. UNLV only had 7 penalties for 67 yards. Cal was penalized more than twice as many times as UNLV. If Cal can clean just this one thing up, things could go very well going forward for the Bears. They made an amazing attempt at a comeback.
Next up for California will be the Virginia Tech Hokies next Saturday October 10th at California Memorial Stadium. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 12:30 PM.
Penalties had marred the Bears in this game. They average just under 8 penalties per game and in this game it cost them a touchdown.
