Overview
- Sieh Bangura rushed for 149 yards on 19 carries, including a 23-yard touchdown, as Ohio controlled the ground game.
- John Hauser served as interim head coach after Brian Smith was fired for serious professional misconduct earlier this month.
- Ohio’s defense delivered pivotal stops, highlighted by DJ Walker’s end-zone interception before halftime and a UNLV first-and-goal fumble.
- UNLV, which averaged nearly 36 points per game, was shut out in the first half and saw its 35-game streak of scoring at least 20 points end.
- The Rebels entered as about a touchdown favorite with the bowl season’s highest total near 64.5, but the 17-10 finish landed well under as Ohio drained the final 4:45 to seal it.