Friday night in Houston offers more than just another non-conference game it’s an early crossroads. UNLV enters with Mountain West title expectations and national attention, while Sam Houston is still building its FBS identity under first-year head coach Phil Longo. Both teams showed flashes of explosiveness in Week 0. Both also showed glaring flaws. Now, under the lights at Shell Energy Stadium, we’ll find out who corrected course fastest.
The Setup
This is the only Week 1 matchup featuring two FBS teams already playing their second game, giving both sides rare film to learn from.
Time/Date: Friday, Aug. 29, 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: CBS Sports Network
Location: Shell Energy Stadium (Houston, TX)
Line: UNLV -9.5 | O/U: 61.5
Series: First meeting
UNLV (1–0) is technically unbeaten, but its 38–31 win over Idaho State looked more like survival than dominance. The Rebels trailed into the fourth quarter, allowed 555 yards, and relied on four second-half interceptions to escape.
Sam Houston (0–1) had its own frustrations in a 41–24 loss at Western Kentucky. The Bearkats briefly led in the third quarter thanks to Hunter Watson’s 55-yard touchdown run, Alton McCaskill’s 52-yard burst, and JaMair Diaz’s scoop-and-score. But with no returning defensive starters, WKU shredded them for 401 yards through the air.
Both teams walked away humbled. Both know they can’t afford a repeat performance.
UNLV: What We Learned
Playmakers Shine
RB Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas – 10 carries, 147 yards, 3 TDs. His 70-yard score showed how quickly he can flip a game.
QB Anthony Colandrea – 15/21 for 195 yards, 1 TD; added 93 rushing yards. Dynamic on scrambles, but took too many hits.
WR Jaden Bradley – 6 catches, 131 yards, including a 47-yarder that shifted momentum.
Defensive Takeaways – Four interceptions, including two from Laterrance Welch, saved the game.
Lingering Concerns
Run Defense – Allowed 160 yards at 6.4 per carry; ISU’s Dason Brooks gashed them for 132 and 2 TDs.
Pass Coverage – 395 yards surrendered, with PI penalties bailing out drives.
Pass Protection – Three sacks and eight pressures on just 24 dropbacks.
Special Teams – Two missed field goals (30, 41 yards).
Depth Chart Notes
Colandrea and Orji remain listed as “OR” at QB, but Colandrea took the bulk of second-half snaps. Thomas is firmly RB1. Tight ends Var’Keyes Gumms and Nick Elksnis were quiet in Week 0 but could be used more against SHSU’s linebackers. In the secondary, Welch has emerged as the ballhawk, while Denver Harris’ snap count (26 plays) bears watching.
Sam Houston: What We Learned
Playmakers Shine
QB Hunter Watson – 209 yards passing, 91 rushing, 55-yard TD run. A gritty dual-threat.
RB Alton McCaskill – 72 yards and a TD on 11 carries. Looked like his old Houston self.
RB Elijah Green – 7 catches for 61 yards, central to Longo’s screen-heavy system.
LB JaMair Diaz – Scoop-and-score gave the Bearkats a brief lead.
Lingering Concerns
Pass Defense – Gave up 401 yards and 3 TDs. Eye discipline and tackling must improve.
Third Downs – Just 2-for-14; stalled in obvious passing situations.
Chemistry – Ten first-time starters, seven on defense, still gelling.
Penalties – False starts and holds killed momentum.
Depth Chart Notes
Watson is entrenched as QB1, with McCaskill leading a backfield committee that also features Green. WR Michael Phoenix II, who surprisingly didn’t play last week, is expected to see snaps. On defense, Diaz and safety C.J. Brown set the tone; Brown will likely be pulled down into the box to contain Thomas.
Keys to the Matchup
Quarterback Runs – Colandrea scrambled for 93; Watson ran for 91 and a 55-yard TD. Both defenses must improve gap control.
Explosives – Thomas (70-yard run) and Bradley (47-yard catch) vs. McCaskill (52-yard run) and Watson (55-yard run). Limiting splash plays will decide momentum.
Secondary Survival – UNLV allowed 395 passing yards; SHSU gave up 401. Whoever steadies their back end first gains the edge.
Third Down & Red Zone – UNLV 3-for-11 on third down and 4-for-7 in the red zone; SHSU 2-for-14 on third down. Sustaining drives is critical.
Discipline – Eight penalties for UNLV, drive-killing flags for SHSU. Clean football will decide separation.
Prediction
Sam Houston will move the ball. Watson’s toughness as a runner and McCaskill’s explosiveness will stress UNLV’s shaky run fits. Diaz and Brown give the Bearkats defensive bite.
But the Rebels’ talent edge is undeniable. Bradley is too polished for this secondary, Thomas is too explosive to bottle up for four quarters, and Colandrea’s dual-threat ability should be the difference if he protects the football. Add in UNLV’s depth and speed on the perimeter, and the Rebels have enough to control the second half.
Prediction: UNLV 35, Sam Houston 17