College football fans couldn’t get enough of UNLV’s innovative fake points

The UNLV Rebels had a special year, reaching the 10-win mark in the regular season and playing for the Mountain West championship. They close out their season at Wednesday night’s LA Bowl against Cal, and they clearly have a few surprises in store for the game.

Down 10–7 with the ball on their own 39-yard line early in the second quarter, UNLV unleashed a highly innovative fake punt in which punter Marshall Nichols threw a two-handed chest pass that would earn him some tuition money thanks to Dr. Pepper in another timeline.

With the linemen already cleared downfield and Cal players rushing to block the punt, Nichols found Cameron Oliver streaking over the middle (but behind the original line of scrimmage, making it a legal play) with nothing but green in front of him. He picked up 52 yards and set up a Hajj-Malik Williams touchdown pass to Jacob De Jesus on the very next play.

Fake shots are pretty much always exciting, but there’s nothing like seeing a new spin on the play like this. Fans loved it.

However, those who have followed UNLV special teams coach James Shibest over the years may have recognized the play. Shibest, who previously coached special teams at Arkansas, Ole Miss, Memphis and Virginia Tech, has broken off this play a few times before.

UNLV leads Cal 14-13 late in the second quarter, so there’s plenty of time for more tricks from the Rebels.