UNLV beats Cal 39-31 on Arnold’s five TDs

Jackson Arnold passed and ran for five touchdowns and 287 yards as UNLV defeated California 39-31 on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Arnold threw for 177 yards and three touchdowns and rushed for 110 yards and two touchdowns. UNLV built a 24-7 halftime lead on a 70-yard touchdown catch by Kayden McGee, Arnold's 55-yard touchdown run, and a 36-yard touchdown catch by Taz Reddicks. Cal entered without leading rusher Adam Mohammed (knee), lost safety Kingston Lopa to an upper-body injury on a tackle attempt less than three minutes into the first quarter, and later had quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele removed after he appeared to hit his head and was placed on the sideline without a helmet. The Golden Bears failed an onside kick to open the second half but still scored 18 unanswered points to take a 25-24 lead early in the fourth. Arnold answered with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Keyan Burnett with 9:31 left and a 2-yard touchdown run with 3:24 remaining. Contested: none found. Rated headlines differ only in emphasis, with one leading on the result and the other on Arnold's five touchdowns and a rally frame.