When you stack up UNLV’s season openers over the past four years, the numbers don’t just tell you who won or lost; they chart the identity shifts that have defined two coaching eras and the offensive foundation Dan Mullen will inherit in 2025. From Marcus Arroyo’s stalled starts to Barry Odom’s trench-driven efficiency, Week 1 has been the yearly snapshot of what this program wants to be.
2021 – Arroyo’s Stalled Launch
Opponent: Eastern WashingtonFinal: Loss, 35–33 (2OT)Stats:
339 total yards | 67 plays | 32:02 TOP
140 pass yds (23 att, 12 comp, 0 TD)
199 rush yds (44 att, 4.52 YPC, 3 TD)
3 total TDs
Arroyo’s second year opened with a controlled, run-heavy plan, but zero passing touchdowns left the offense one-dimensional. Three rushing scores forced overtime, yet the inability to threaten through the air cost them an upset loss to an FCS team.
2022 – Arroyo’s Best Shot
Opponent: Idaho StateFinal: Win, 52–21Stats:
567 total yards | 67 plays | 30:24 TOP
405 pass yds (35 att, 26 comp, 5 TD)
162 rush yds (32 att, 5.06 YPC, 2 TD)
7 total TDs
If Arroyo had a masterpiece, this was it. Brumfield threw for over 350 yards and five touchdowns, the run game was efficient, and the Rebels looked like an explosive, balanced attack. It was also fleeting; they never hit this level of balance and scoring again that season.
2023 – Odom’s Ground Statement
Opponent: BryantFinal: Win, 44–14Stats:
394 total yards | 64 plays | 20:18 TOP
126 pass yds (24 att, 15 comp, 0 TD)
268 rush yds (40 att, 6.70 YPC, 5 TD)
5 total TDs
Barry Odom’s first game was a showcase of trench warfare. Nearly 7 yards per carry, five rushing scores, and a completely run-controlled game script. They barely possessed the ball, but when they did, they ran through Bryant with ease.
2024 – Odom’s Road Statement
Opponent: at HoustonFinal: Win, 27–7Stats:
308 total yards | 62 plays | 31:27 TOP
113 pass yds (14 att, 7 comp, 2 TD)
195 rush yds (48 att, 4.06 YPC, 0 TD)
2 total TDs
Odom’s final opener was a methodical road win against a Power Five opponent. The Rebels leaned on a 48-carry ground attack to control the clock, then cashed in two touchdown throws on minimal passing volume. The defense clamped down, holding Houston scoreless after the first quarter, and the offense never had to force the issue.
The Week 1 Trendline
Passing:
Only one opener (2022) topped 200 yards passing.
Passing TDs have been feast or famine in 2022, with none in 2021 or 2023.
Rushing:
Every opener has topped 160 yards on the ground.
Odom’s two openers both cleared 190 yards, with 2023’s 268 still the high-water mark.
Scoring:
Points range from 14 (2021) to 52 (2022).
Odom’s teams scored 44 and 27, both in wins.
What Mullen Inherits
Dan Mullen steps into a program that has proven it can:
Dominate on the ground early in the year.
Control time of possession against quality opponents.
Win without an explosive passing game.
The challenge? Adding a consistent aerial threat from Week 1 forward, so the Rebels can blend Odom’s run-game efficiency with Arroyo’s best passing-day firepower. If that balance shows up in 2025’s opener, it won’t just be a tone-setter; it’ll be the first step toward a Mountain West title push.