UNLV Beats Northern Illinois 31-24
Next up: UNLV hosts Wyoming next Saturday, while Northern Illinois travels to San Jose State.
Updated on Nov. 1, 2026 in Football
Las Vegas football fans and Mountain West followers get a Saturday-night win at Sam Boyd Stadium as UNLV beat Northern Illinois 31-24. The Rebels' win came as Northern Illinois dropped its 10th straight game.
Why it matters
For a valley that follows UNLV closely, the result gives the Rebels a home win that keeps their Mountain West season on track while Northern Illinois, now 0-7 overall and 0-4 in conference play, continues to slide.
The box score was a 31-24 final, with Arnold's 269 passing yards and three touchdown passes leading UNLV's offense, and Thomas's 114 rushing yards on 16 carries adding to it. Northern Illinois, 0-7 overall and 0-4 in the Mountain West, has now lost 10 straight, with its last win a 45-3 result at UMass on Nov. 12, 2025.
The players
UNLV Rebels
The home team, whose quarterback Jackson Arnold and running back Jai'Den Thomas drove the win.
Northern Illinois Huskies
The visiting team, now 0-7 overall and 0-4 in the Mountain West after its 10th straight loss.
Jackson Arnold
UNLV quarterback who threw three touchdown passes and rushed for 86 yards.
Jai'Den Thomas
UNLV running back who rushed for 114 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries.
The details
Arnold threw a deep ball on the first play from scrimmage that Jayden McGee caught at the 30 and ran in for a 75-yard touchdown. Thomas broke up the middle for a 60-yard rushing score less than four minutes into the second half, and Keyan Burnett and Taeshaun Lyons also caught Arnold touchdown passes. JJ Schlenhardt added a 27-yard field goal for Northern Illinois, which managed to keep the game closer than the early margin suggested.
Timeline
Nov. 12, 2025: Northern Illinois's last win, a 45-3 result at UMass.
Saturday night, Oct. 31, 2026: UNLV defeats Northern Illinois 31-24 at Sam Boyd Stadium.
Next Saturday: Northern Illinois plays at San Jose State, and UNLV hosts Wyoming.
Beyond the Strip
Northern Illinois has not won since its 45-3 result at UMass on Nov. 12, 2025, so Saturday's loss extends a streak that now stands at 10 games. For Las Vegas fans used to watching the Rebels compete in the Mountain West, the win is a reminder that conference records can shift quickly within a single season.
If you are heading to a UNLV home game, the Rebels are back at Sam Boyd Stadium next Saturday against Wyoming, so plan your parking and traffic around kickoff. The result also means a winning streak to watch if you follow the team on the radio or streaming broadcasts.
The takeaway
The win gives UNLV a result to build on in its Mountain West schedule, and Northern Illinois's streak is now the story to watch. Check the Rebels' home schedule before next Saturday's kickoff against Wyoming.
What happens next
Northern Illinois plays at San Jose State next Saturday, and UNLV hosts Wyoming the same day.
Further reading
For more on the Rebels' season, check the Football section.
