LAS VEGAS (AP) — The idea that UNLV would be one step away from competing in the College Football Playoff would have been preposterous two years ago.
But that's when Barry Odom took over a program with just four prior bowl appearances and none since the 2013 season.
Now Odom and the No. 21 Rebels — 22nd in the CFP — are in the Mountain West championship game for the second year in a row after defeating Nevada 38-14 on Saturday night behind quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams' three total touchdowns.
The Rebels (10-2, 6-1 MW) will face Boise State, ranked No. 11 in the AP and CFP polls, on Friday for the conference title and the Group of Five's spot in the College Football Playoff.
This isn't what Odom would have imagined when he was fired five years ago to the day by Missouri. He became teary recalling the moment and the journey since then, and he found a new home in Las Vegas and said what the Rebels are experiencing goes beyond him.
“There's got to be a vision and an alignment, and when you do those things, success is going to follow,” Odom said. “It's not always easy. It's not always perfect. Sometimes it's a long away from the arena when most of the work is done and most of the victories happen. We've been fortunate now that we've won 19 games in two seasons, and our guys are hungry.”
UNLV continues to rise under Odom, participating in its second consecutive postseason for the first time.
It also reached double-digit victories for just the third time and the first since 1984 when Randall Cunningham was under center.
Four decades later, Williams is the quarterback, and against Nevada (3-10, 0-7) he passed for 168 yards and two TDs and rushed for 104 and another score.
Jai’Den Thomas rushed for 135 yards and a TD as UNLV outrushed the Wolf Pack 351-67.