Rebels win, prevail in the Battle for the Fremont Cannon over UNR

After disappointing seasons, the UNLV Rebels and UNR Wolf Pack only had the Battle for the Fremont Cannon to look forward to. The Rebels defeated Wolves by a score of 27-22 to win the intrastate matchup. The Wolf Pack finish 2-10 on the year while the Rebels finish the season 5-7.

The Rebels’ night got off to a rough start when starting quarterback Doug Brumfield was injured during their second drive and was unable to continue. That meant Harrison Bailey would be the one to try to end the season for the Rebels with a victory.

The Wolf Pack got off to a quick start and outscored the Rebels 10-0 in the first quarter by scoring on back-to-back possessions. The Brumfield injury seemed to have killed the team, but the Rebels’ defense came through. The ball was lost by Wolf Pack QB Nate Cox, and DB Johnathan Baldwin recovered the fumble and scored to give the Rebels the lead. Following the opening frame, the Rebels were down 13-7.

The Rebels took control of the game in the second quarter. It all began when Bailey and WR Kyle Williams connected for a 49-yard touchdown, giving the Rebels their first lead of the game at 14-13. Then, with one minute left in the second quarter, K Daniel Gutierrez connected from 33 yards out to give the Rebels a 17-13 lead going into the break. Gutierrez’s field goal elevated him to the top spot in Rebel history for all-time field goals made.

Neither team could muster any offensive momentum in the third quarter. The Wolf Pack field goal at the 11-minute mark were the only points scored in the period.

The Rebels were up 17-16 heading into the fourth quarter. Gutierrez would connect on a 43-yard field goal to extend the Rebels’ lead to 20-16. A couple possessions later, Bailey found WR Nick Williams for a 30-yard touchdown to extend their lead to 27-16.

Although the Rebels appeared to be in charge, the Wolves persisted. Wolf Pack RB Toa Taua scored from one yard out to cut the Rebels’ lead to 27-22. With one minute left in the game, the Wolf Pack were trying to win by driving down the field. The Rebels’ defense only needed a stop, and it got one. To end the game, they compelled back-to-back Cox incomplete passes. The UNR Wolf Pack finished the season with a 10-game losing streak while the Rebels won the Fremont Cannon for the first time since 2019 and ended their losing streak.

Key Contributors

• QB Harrison Bailey passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns. 
• WR Nick Williams led the team with 84 receiving yards, five receptions, and one touchdown reception. 
• DB Johnathan Baldwin finished the night with eight total tackles, one interception, and one defensive touchdown. 
• K Daniel Gutierrez finished the night with nine total points on 2/2 field goals and 3/3 extra points.