UNLV Rebels Take Down California Golden Bears 39-31 in Las Vegas

Jackson Arnold threw one touchdown and ran for another as UNLV topped California 39-31 at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.

UNLV earned a 39-31 victory over California on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Sporting Tribune had two photographers on assignment for the game, RJ Forbus and Paige Kuwata, and their TST Images gallery traces the Rebels and the Golden Bears from pregame scenes on the field through third-quarter touchdowns, with the defensive plays and sideline moments in between.

UNLV's passing game connected in the opening quarter. Wide receiver Kayden McGee (6) hauled in a throw from quarterback Jackson Arnold (11) and finished the play in the end zone, a touchdown captured by Kuwata's camera. The Rebels' defense was active in the period as well, with safety Jake Pope (7) breaking up a pass in front of Golden Bears defensive back Daniel Harris (7).

Arnold stayed involved once the second quarter began, this time with his legs rather than his arm. The quarterback scored on the ground in the period, one of the moments Forbus photographed. Wide receiver Taz Reddicks (2) added a touchdown catch in the same quarter, and kicker Ramon Villela (32) chipped in a field goal before halftime to complete the Rebels' second-quarter scoring.

California created its own highlights during the stretch. Wide receiver Ian Strong (9) reeled in a pass from quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3), a connection Kuwata caught on camera. The Golden Bears' defense then came away with a turnover when defensive back Aiden Manutai (14) intercepted a pass and celebrated the takeaway with teammates, a scene credited to Forbus.

UNLV's defenders were busy throughout the first half. Pope, beyond his early pass breakup, brought down wide receiver Tyree Sams (81) on a second-quarter tackle that Kuwata also photographed. Tight end Matt Byrnes (85) appears in the gallery as well, shown defending the kicker in the second quarter of the Las Vegas matchup.

The Golden Bears found the end zone again after halftime. Running back Carson Perry-Smith (21) scored a touchdown in the third quarter and celebrated alongside teammate Emmanuel Okoye (6), a moment Forbus recorded for The Sporting Tribune. It stands as one of the late-game frames in the collection.

Pregame at Allegiant Stadium featured a cross-sport appearance. Head coach Dan Mullen shared a run with Kurt Busch, a retired NASCAR driver, before kickoff, and the California band was on the scene before the game as well. Forbus photographed both the Mullen-Busch run and the band, along with a second-quarter image of Mullen himself.

UNLV's next scheduled game, according to Global Sportscast's listings, is a trip to the San José State Spartans on Saturday, Oct. 3, at 10:00 p.m. EDT. The matchup is set for Spartan Soccer Complex and will stream on MW+.