Another shootout, same story
UNLV’s home win streak ended at five games Saturday in a 40-35 shootout against New Mexico, which followed a familiar script: early defensive breakdowns, a frantic comeback, and another final collapse.
The Rebels (6-2, 2-2 MW) fell behind 21-0 midway through the second quarter before storming back to tie it at 21 after Quandarius Keyes’ 25-yard interception return. But after every rally, New Mexico struck right back.
The Lobos (6-3, 3-2) scored on plays of 30, 84, and 80 yards, then ended the game with a 75-yard touchdown drive late in the fourth quarter.
By the end of the day, UNLV outgained New Mexico in first downs (25-16) and time of possession (32:30 to 27:30). But UNLV’s inability to stop big plays and its turnovers told the story.
New Mexico finished with 532 total yards on just 55 plays, a robust 9.7 yards per play, while the Rebels turned the ball over three times and fumbled seven.
“That’s on me.”
Head coach Dan Mullen opened his postgame press conference the same way he has after every loss by putting the responsibility squarely on himself.
“I’ll give New Mexico credit. They put together a great plan. They’re a team that plays extremely hard and they executed in all phases,” Mullen said. “On our end, we made too many mistakes in different situations. The consistency of our performance is not where it needs to be. I give our guys credit for battling back after being down 21-0, but I have to make sure we eliminate the errors and the mistakes that cost us the game today.”
That inconsistency, especially on defense, has become the defining trait of this UNLV team. For the third straight week, the Rebels surrendered over 500 yards. Opponents have scored 12 touchdowns of 30+ yards in that span.
“What’s the disconnect…?”
During the postgame media session, The Scarlet Standard asked Mullen directly:
What’s the disconnect between what’s being taught and what’s happening on Saturdays?
Mullen paused, then offered a telling answer.
“That’s a good question,” he said. “Some of it’s processing. We practice certain looks, but every week you get new wrinkles. You have your base rules that should handle it, but we’re not processing and adjusting quickly enough on the field. That’s something I’ve got to fix.”
He added that the Rebels’ defense has become too static and predictable.
“We’re not causing enough confusion on defense right now,” Mullen continued. “We’re making things too easy on the offense and that’s on me.”
Colandrea fights through the flu and still delivers
If there was a bright spot, it came from Anthony Colandrea, who battled through the flu to put up one of the most efficient games of his career.
The junior completed 36 of 46 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns, and also led UNLV in rushing with 40 yards on eight carries.
“He was quarantined with the flu and didn’t practice yesterday,” Mullen revealed. “He came in for pregame warm-ups and told me, ‘Coach, I’m a ten out of ten. I’m playing no matter what.’ That’s the kind of competitor he is.”
Colandrea’s 382 passing yards tied for the 16th-most in UNLV history and was his highest total since 377 yards at Virginia in 2023.
Offensive production, defensive absence
Statistically, UNLV looked like the better team with more first downs, longer drives, and more total plays. However, an inability to prevent explosive passes once again wiped out all of that.
New Mexico QB Jack Layne completed 17 of 22 passes for 342 yards and three touchdowns, including the two longest completions against UNLV since 2018 (84 and 80 yards).
“We’ve got to make sure schematically we’re in the right looks,” Mullen said. “That I’m not asking guys to do things they can’t do. We’re being too clean and not creating enough confusion.”
Mistakes in critical moments
UNLV’s seven fumbles, three of which were lost, were its most since 2016. The Rebels were also just 2-of-5 on fourth down, including a potential game-extending conversion with two minutes left that was broken up near midfield.
Colandrea’s pass deflected off an official’s shoulder and fell incomplete, sealing the outcome.
“That’s just football,” Mullen said. “He went to the right read. Maybe he could’ve held it a split second longer, but that’s where the official’s going to be. Sometimes it goes your way, sometimes it doesn’t.”
Record-setting day for Jai’Den Thomas
Despite the loss, Jai’Den Thomas had another strong day. The running back caught 11 passes for 65 yards, a school record for receptions by a running back (tied for 7th-most overall in UNLV history).
Thomas was held to 34 rushing yards but served as the team’s safety valve, helping sustain drives and keep a quarterback who clearly wasn’t 100 percent upright.
Other standouts
Daejon Reynolds: 5 catches, 78 yards, TD
Var’Keyes Gumms: 27-yard touchdown grab (third of the season)
Nick Elksnis: 14-yard touchdown that gave UNLV its only lead (35-34)
Keyvone Lee: 5-yard rushing touchdown (fifth of the season)
Quandarius Keyes: 25-yard pick-six, second INT of 2025
PICK SIX 🫨
Third of the year for the Rebels
📺: MWN
— #UNLV Football (#@unlvfootball)
8:07 PM • Nov 1, 2025
Marsel McDuffie: Team-high 11 tackles, one TFL
Defense: 4 sacks, most since Week 2
Debuts: Eliah Logo, Tavian McNair, and Kenji Scanlan
By the numbers
Category | New Mexico | UNLV |
|---|---|---|
Total Yards | 532 | 470 |
Yards per Play | 9.7 | 6.2 |
Passing | 401 (20/26, 4 TD) | 382 (36/47, 3 TD) |
Rushing | 131 | 88 |
Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
First Downs | 16 | 25 |
3rd Down | 3-11 | 4-13 |
4th Down | 2-2 | 2-5 |
Fumbles (Lost) | 0 (0) | 7 (3) |
Mullen’s final word
“It comes down to consistency,” he said. “That’s the head coach’s job.. to make sure it’s the same standard every play, every quarter, every game. Right now, we’re not doing a good enough job of that. And that’s on me.”
What’s next
The Rebels travel to Fort Collins next Saturday night to face Colorado State (6: 30 p.m. PT, FS1) before returning home to host Utah State on November 15.
At 6-2, UNLV remains bowl eligible, but the chance to be a championship contender is fading quickly.
Until the Rebels learn to match their preparation with execution, Mullen’s answer to the question of what’s the disconnect between what’s being taught and what’s happening on Saturdays will define their season.
