Las Vegas, NV -- (Sports Network) - Kevin O'Connell threw for 196 yards and a pair of touchdowns as the San Diego State Aztecs held off the UNLV Rebels, 38-30, in a Mountain West Conference battle at Sam Boyd Stadium.

O'Connell completed 17-of-23 pass attempts in the game and he also rushed for 31 yards on 10 carries. Brandon Sullivan led the Aztecs (4-5, 3-2 MWC) with 70 rushing yards on 10 totes, and he also grabbed a team-high six passes for 68 yards.

Frank Summers ran for a game-high 187 yards on 26 carries for UNLV (2-8, 1-5), which dropped its sixth game in a row. Travis Dixon also had a solid game, as he completed 13-of-22 throws for 185 yards and three touchdowns.

SDSU opened the game's scoring with an O'Connell three-yard touchdown pass to Steve Schmidt late in the first quarter.

O'Connell hooked up with Chaz Schilens on a 49-yard scoring strike just under three minutes later to give the Aztecs a 14-0 lead at the end of one quarter.

Midway through the second quarter, Brandon Bornes scampered 15 yards for a touchdown, giving SDSU a 21-0 lead at the half.

UNLV got things going in the third quarter, as Dixon threw a 31-yard touchdown pass to Rodelin Anthony.

Late in the third frame, the Rebels struck again, as Channing Trotter rumbled 17 yards for a score.

UNLV kept things going and made it a 21-17 game with a Sergio Aguayo 35-yard field goal early in the final period.

Mekell Wesley, though, returned the ensuing kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown and the Aztec held a 28-17 lead.

The Rebels refused to go away and Dixon brought the them closer with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Casey Flair. The two-point conversion attempt failed, so UNLV trailed 28-23.

A Garrett Palmer 22-yard field goal with just under five minutes to play extended SDSU's lead to 31-23.

With just over a minute left, the Aztecs' Martrell Fantroy returned an interception 55 yards to seal the victory.

Dixon completed a 36-yard touchdown pass to Anthony with seven seconds left, but it was enough for the Rebels.