Football is a game based on tactical innovation, and No. 24 UNLV did its part in the LA Bowl on Wednesday.

When it came to a 4th-and-7 against Cal in the second quarter, the Rebels completely fooled the Golden Bears with a novel form of fake punt. Instead of risking a run or dropping a quick pass, they had right guard Cameron Oliver cut inside while the rest of the punt team ran downfield.

Cal sent eight blockers on punter Marshall Nichols, leaving Oliver wide open for a shovel pass with a fleet of blockers in front of him. The result was a 52-yard gain.

Quarterback Jacob De Jesus set up the fake count one play later with a nine-yard touchdown pass to Hajj-Malik Williams and took the lead 14-10.

Veteran football fans see this play and may have the words “ineligible receiver downfield” in mind, but UNLV avoided a game-winning penalty by letting Oliver run behind the line of scrimmage. In college football, there is no blocked player downfield penalty if the pass is caught behind the line of scrimmage.

Therefore, the NFL won’t be copying this game any time soon. But as for the rest of the college ranks, we’ll see if in a week or two some College Football Playoff teams take notice and start feeling perky.