LAS VEGAS – Hajj-Malik Williams passed for two touchdowns and ran for another score and No. 21 UNLV will play for the Mountain West championship after beating Nevada 38-14 on Saturday.

The Rebels (10-2, 6-1 MW, No. 22 CFP) will face Boise State, ranked No. 11 in the AP and CFP polls, on Friday for the conference title and the Group of Five spot in the College Football Playoffs.

No. 18 Tulane’s 34-24 loss to Memphis on Thursday night paved the way for the Rebels to a win-and-win showdown with the Broncos.

UNLV continues to rise under second-year coach Barry Odom. The Rebels had been to just four bowls before he took over the program and will be making their second straight postseason appearance for the first time. It also marked the third time they reached double-digit wins and the first time 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 ran for 104.

Jai’Den Thomas rushed for 135 yards and a TD as UNLV outscored the Wolf Pack 351-67.

Nevada’s Brendon Lewis passed for 292 yards and two touchdowns with one interception.

This was the 50th meeting of the in-state rivals, and UNLV gets to retain the Fremont Cannon for the third straight year. This is the Rebels’ longest winning streak against their northern neighbors since the John Robinson-coached teams won five straight from 2000 to 2004.

The Rebels opened the scoring in the second quarter when linebacker Jackson Woodard recovered a fumble for a touchdown and Thomas scored from a yard out for a 24-7 halftime lead.

Impact on the survey

Losing Tulane gives UNLV a direct path to the CFP.

Check out highlights from the game below.