The 2024 LA Bowl features the 6-6 California Golden Bears against the 10-3 UNLV Rebels. Here is the 2024 LA Bowl Preview.
California Golden Bears
Cal won six games to get to bowl eligibility. They did not defeat a team that reached a bowl game. Their loss to Florida State was the only one to a team that didn’t qualify for a bowl.
The Golden Bears score 26.1 points per game, ranking 82nd in the country. They pass for 266.3 yards (ranked 27th) and rush for 116.5 yards per game (ranked 108th).
Fernando Mendoza was the starting quarterback this season, but he is in the transfer portal. Chandler Rogers has experience, but he is questionable with an injury. CJ Harris and EJ Caminong could start. Harris has 75 passing yards this season, while Caminong hasn’t attempted a pass in his career. Six pass-catchers have at least 200 receiving yards on the year. Nyziah Hunter and Jack Endries have been standouts with 578 and 562 yards respectively. Hunter is in the transfer portal.
Javian Thomas has led the team in rushing with 598 yards and seven touchdowns. Star running back Jaydn Ott has dealt with injuries. He has only totaled 301 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, the Golden Bears give up 22.2 points per game, ranking 42nd. They concede 234.2 passing yards (ranked 94th) and 107.1 rushing yards per game (ranked 16th). Linebacker Teddye Buchanan leads the team with 112 tackles. Xavier Carlton paces the team with nine sacks. Nohl Williams has made a lot of plays on the ball this season with eight passes defended and seven interceptions.
UNLV Rebels
UNLV won 10 games this season, but lost in the MWC Championship Game, which had them miss out on the CFP. They defeated two bowl-eligible teams in Fresno State and San Jose State. All three of their losses were to bowl-eligible teams (twice to Boise State and Syracuse). Head coach Barry Odom has taken the Purdue job.
The Rebels score 36.2 points per game, which is good enough for 14th in the country. They rush for 251.2 yards (ranked fifth) and pass for 174.5 yards per game (ranked 121st).
Hajj-Malik Williams took over as starting quarterback after Matthew Sluka left the program. Williams passed for 1,845 yards, 17 touchdowns and five interceptions on 62 percent completion. Only two receivers have over 200 yards for the Rebels. Ricky White has been a star with 79 receptions for 1,041 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jacob De Jesus has been impressive with 34 catches for 474 yards and two touchdowns.
Five players have over 200 rushing yards on the season. Jai’Den Thomas has been the lead back with 846 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Williams has been effective from the quarterback position with 824 yards and nine touchdowns. Kylin James has been a good back when needed with 616 rushing yards.
The Rebels allow 21.9 points per game, tying them for 37th in the FBS. They give up 109.8 rushing yards (ranked 17th) and 241.2 passing yards per game (ranked 105th). Jackson Woodard has been all over the field for the Rebels with 124 total tackles. Antonio Doyle Jr. leads the team with five sacks. Johnathan Baldwin has made plays in the secondary with nine passes defended and four interceptions.
Prediction
Cal will likely be starting an inexperienced quarterback in this game, which could limit the scoring. They should still have the defense and the running game to win a close, low-scoring matchup against the Rebels without their head coach.
California Golden Bears 24 UNLV Rebels 20
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