UNLV Rebels quarterback Johnny Stanton (4), left, celebrates with UNLV Rebels offensive lineman Kyle Saxelid (76), right, after scoring a touchdown against the Hawaii Warriors during the first quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels quarterback Johnny Stanton (4) passes the ball against the Hawaii Warriors during the fourth quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors wide receiver Kumoku Noa (87) runs the ball against the UNLV Rebels during the fourth quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
A UNLV Rebels fan reacts during the fourth quarter of a football game against the Hawaii Warriors at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels defensive back Jericho Flowers (7) is given a penalty against the Hawaii Warriors during the fourth quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors running back Diocemy Saint Juste (22) runs the ball against the UNLV Rebels during the fourth quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels celebrate after defeating the Hawaii Warriors 31-23 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels pray after defeating the Hawaii Warriors 31-23 in a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels running back Lexington Thomas (3), left, runs the ball for a touchdown against against the Hawaii Warriors during the third quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels wide receiver Darren Woods Jr. (10), left, celebrates with a teammate after running the ball against the Hawaii Warriors during the third quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels wide receiver Darren Woods Jr. (10) runs the ball against the Hawaii Warriors during the third quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels defensive back Robert Jackson (24) lies on the ground as teammates celebrate after defeating the Hawaii Warriors 31-23 at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels wide receiver Brandon Presley (80) runs the ball for a touchdown against against the Hawaii Warriors during the third quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors wide receiver Dylan Collie (23) scores a touchdown against the UNLV Rebels during the third quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors fan react during the second quarter of a football game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors running back Diocemy Saint Juste (22) runs the ball against the UNLV Rebels during the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors linebacker Solomon Matautia (27), left, and Hawaii Warriors linebacker Jahlani Tavai (31), center, celebrate after a tackle during the second quarter of a football game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels quarterback Armani Rogers (1), center, hands the ball off to UNLV Rebels running back Lexington Thomas (3), right, during the second quarter of a football game against the Hawaii Warriors at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels wide receiver Brandon Presley (80), center, is congratulated by teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Hawaii Warriors during the third quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors quarterback Dru Brown (2), bottom, is tackled by UNLV Rebels defensive lineman Jason Fao (95), top, during the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors offensive lineman Fred Ulu-Perry (64), center, is carried off the field after an injury against the UNLV Rebels during the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors running back Diocemy Saint Juste (22) runs the ball against UNLV Rebels during the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors running back Diocemy Saint Juste (22), left, runs the ball against UNLV Rebels defensive back Robert Jackson (24), right, during the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
A Hawaii Warriors fan reacts during the second quarter of a football game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels wide receiver Devonte Boyd (83), bottom, hits the ground after an incomplete pass against the Hawaii Warriors during the second quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels running back Lexington Thomas (3) runs the ball against the Hawaii Warriors during the first quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels quarterback Armani Rogers (1), center, prepares to hike the ball during the first quarter of a football game against the Hawaii Warriors at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors quarterback Dru Brown (2), right, lobs the ball to a teammate during the first quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
Hawaii Warriors sit on the sideline during the first quarter of a football game against the UNLV Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels wide receiver Kendal Keys (84) is tackled by the Hawaii Warriors during the first quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels defensive back Jericho Flowers (7) runs the ball past the Hawaii Warriors during the first quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels cheerleaders gather on the field before the start of the first quarter of a football game against the Hawaii Warriors at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels run onto the field before the start the first quarter of a football game against the Hawaii Warriors at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
UNLV Rebels quarterback Johnny Stanton (4), left, celebrates with UNLV Rebels offensive lineman Kyle Saxelid (76), right, after scoring a touchdown against the Hawaii Warriors during the first quarter of a football game at Sam Boyd Stadium in Las Vegas, Saturday, Nov. 4, 2017. UNLV won 31-23. Joel Angel Juarez Las Vegas Review-Journal @jajuarezphoto
The question throughout the week was who would start at quarterback, and the answer was Johnny Stanton, who provided a dramatic statement for UNLV.
He completed 18 of 26 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a TD, and the Rebels’ defense held off a late Hawaii drive in a 31-23 victory Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.
This was the first time in two years the Rebels (4-5, 3-3 Mountain West) have posted back-to-back victories. They also have won at least four games in a season for the second year in a row, the first time that has happened since the 2008 and 2009 seasons, which each ended 5-7.
And, more important, they kept alive their bowl hopes and can come within one victory of eligibility when Brigham Young visits on Friday.
In defeating Hawaii (3-6, 1-5), UNLV turned to Stanton for the second week in a row. He replaced Armani Rogers, who was out with a concussion, a week ago in a 26-16 victory at Fresno State. Rogers came back this week and played two series in the first half.
Otherwise, this was Stanton’s game. He led three touchdown drives in the third quarter and a series that took 6:45 off the clock in the fourth that resulted in a 32-yard field goal by Evan Pantels and a two-possession lead with 4:53 left.
“There were times where special teams made a big play,” UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said. “There were times when the defense kept us in it in that first half playing really, really well. The offense had to find themselves. The offense extended the lead. It was one of the first times that I can remember we were able to rely on all three phases at different points throughout the game.”
More Rebels: Follow all of our UNLV coverage online at reviewjournal.com/Rebels and @RJRebels on Twitter.
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com. Follow @markanderson65 on Twitter.