(Photo Credit - UNLV Athletics)
The undefeated UNLV Rebels (4–0, 0–0 Mountain West), receiving votes in both the AP and Coaches’ polls, travel to War Memorial Stadium for their Mountain West opener against the Wyoming Cowboys (2–2, 0–0). The kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. MT, 4:00 p.m. PT) in Laramie, Wyoming, at an elevation of 7,220 feet, the highest stadium in the country. The game will air on CBS Sports Network and locally on ESPN 1100 AM and 100.9 FM with Matt Neverett, Caleb Herring, and Steve Cofield on the call.
Surviving Non-Conference
However you want to frame it, the conference was a roller coaster. Four games, four wins, and every one of them carried different lessons:
Idaho State (38–31): Trailed most of the game. Found a way late, but it was a scare.
At Sam Houston (38–21): Controlled with a steady run game and defense, handled business.
UCLA (30–23): It looked like a program win that night, but UCLA hasn’t won since. UNLV set the tone, then nearly handed it back.
At Miami (OH) (41–38): Peak chaos. Three different times down 14, three different comebacks. Colandrea threw interceptions, the defense bled yards, but they left with a 4–0 record.
It hasn’t been tidy. It hasn’t been clean. But they closed 4-0.
Star Power Driving the Start
QB Anthony Colandrea: 78–108 for 940 yards, 8 TD, 3 INT. 72.2% completions, 8.7 yards per attempt, plus 229 rushing yards. The Mountain West’s most efficient passer.
RB Jai’Den Thomas: 45 carries for 393 yards (8.7 per), 5 TD. Leads the Mountain West in rushing yards and yards per carry.
WR Jaden Bradley: 20 catches, 355 yards, 2 TD. Third in the Mountain West in receiving yards.
CB Aamaris Brown: 16 tackles, 4 INTs, 2 returned for TDs, 3 breakups. Leads the Mountain West in interceptions, second in passes defended.
This core has been the backbone: Colandrea efficient, Thomas explosive, Bradley consistent, and Brown game‑breaking.
Numbers Behind the Run
Scoring Offense: 36.8 PPG (3rd MW)
Scoring Defense: 28.3 PPG (10th MW)
Turnover Margin: +6 (8 INTs, just 2 lost fumbles)
3rd Down Defense: Opponents have a just 21.7% conversion rate
ATS Record: 3–1
Wyoming at a Glance
The Cowboys are 2–2, coming off a bye week. They beat Akron and Northern Iowa to open, then lost to Utah and Colorado.
Scoring Offense: 16.8 PPG (10th MW)
Scoring Defense: 18.8 PPG (2nd MW)
QB Kaden Anderson: 59–107 for 711 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT. 55.1%, 6.6 Y/A. Passer rating under pressure: 21.5.
RB Samuel Harris (Fr.): 37 carries, 256 yards, 6.9 per. Ninth in MW rushing.
WR Chris Durr: 21 catches, 290 yards, 3 TD. Fifth in MW receiving yards.
DE Ben Florentine: 3 sacks, tied fifth in MW.
Wyoming has leaned on its defense all season. The offense has not produced enough to keep pace with elite league teams.
Keys to the Game
Protect AC: Colandrea has been elite when pressured (116 rating under pressure). Keep him clean, avoid procedural penalties at altitude.
Feed Jet: Thomas is the top rusher in the Mountain West. Force Wyoming to load the box, then let Colandrea pick spots.
Win Turnovers: UNLV lives off them (nation’s leader in INTs). Wyoming doesn’t produce them.
Altitude & Depth: Rebels have rotation pieces at WR, RB, and DL. The Cowboys lean on fewer playmakers.
Betting Snapshot
Spread: UNLV -3.5
Moneyline: UNLV -172 / WYO +144
Over/Under: 49.5
Splits: 79% of bets on WYO +3.5, 91% of tickets on UNLV ML. Sharps behind UNLV outright.
The Final Word
It’s been two decades since UNLV won in Laramie. Wyoming will be disciplined, physical, and tough in the altitude. But tonight is about separation.
For once, UNLV carries the deeper roster. Colandrea is the better QB. Thomas is the MW’s best back. Brown changes games by himself.
This isn’t Miami (OH). This isn’t about just surviving. This is about sending a message.
Scarlet Standard Pick: UNLV 35, Wyoming 21