Dan Mullen’s first game at Allegiant Stadium ended with a 38–31 win over Idaho State. The Rebels showed flashes of explosiveness but also revealed areas that need tightening. The box score shows the production, and the PFF grades tell us how efficiently that production came.
Quarterbacks
Anthony Colandrea
Box Score: 15/21, 195 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT (long 47) · 13 carries, 93 yards (7.2 avg, long 37).
PFF Grades: Offense 88.6 · Passing 71.2 · Rushing 87.2
Colandrea was the difference-maker. He was efficient as a passer and electric as a runner, finishing with the No. 2 QB grade nationally in Week 0. His legs repeatedly bailed out the offense and made Mullen’s tempo attack click.
Alex Orji
Box Score: 3/3, 37 yards (long 19) · 6 carries, 34 yards, 1 TD (5.7 avg).
PFF Grades: Not graded (limited snaps).
Used as a situational weapon, Orji gave the Rebels a short-yardage punch and completed every pass he attempted.
Running Backs
Jai’Den Thomas
Box Score: 10 carries, 147 yards, 3 TD (long 70, 14.7 avg) · 2 catches, 16 yards.
PFF Grades: Offense 84.5 · Rushing 87.3 · Receiving 65.4 · Pass Blocking 59.7
Thomas stole the show. His 70-yard touchdown highlighted a day where he averaged nearly 15 yards per carry and finished with the second-highest RB grade in the nation.
Jaylon Glover
Box Score: 7 carries, 28 yards · 1 catch, 19 yards · 2 kick returns, 43 yards.
PFF Grades: Offense 70.1 · Rushing 69.5 · Receiving 67.1 · Pass Blocking 60.2
Glover was steady as the No. 2 back and chipped in on special teams. He kept the ground game balanced behind Thomas.
Keyvone Lee
Box Score: 5 carries, 5 yards · 1 catch, -1 yard.
PFF Grades: Offense 57.1 · Rushing 54.6 · Receiving 52.8 · Pass Blocking 56.9
Lee had the toughest outing, managing just one yard per carry and grading the lowest of the RB rotation.
Wide Receivers
Jaden Bradley
Box Score: 6 catches, 131 yards (long 47).
PFF Grades: Offense 82.9 · Receiving 82.7 · Run Blocking 61.0
Bradley was the clear WR1, torching Idaho State’s secondary and posting the No. 1 WR grade nationally for Week 0.
Troy Omeire
Box Score: 3 catches, 24 yards.
PFF Grades: Offense 61.1 · Receiving 60.6 · Run Blocking 59.3
DaeDae Reynolds
Box Score: 1 catch, 9 yards, 1 TD.
PFF Grades: Offense 61.0 · Receiving 60.5 · Run Blocking 57.7
DeAngelo Irvin Jr.
Box Score: 1 catch, 19 yards.
PFF Grades: Offense 54.0 · Receiving 54.0 · Run Blocking 52.1
Bradley carried the group. Reynolds made the most of his lone grab with a touchdown, but the rest of the corps struggled to consistently get open.
Tight Ends
Nick Elksnis
Box Score: 0 catches.
PFF Grades: Offense 64.5 · Receiving 51.6 · Pass Blocking 62.8 · Run Blocking 69.5
Var’Keyes Gumms
Box Score: 1 catch, 16 yards.
PFF Grades: Offense 64.4 · Receiving 68.0 · Pass Blocking 55.4 · Run Blocking 53.2
Elksnis held his own as a blocker, while Gumms flashed as a receiver. Neither was dominant, but together they gave Mullen schematic flexibility.
Offensive Line
Reid Williams (Tackle)
PFF Grades: Offense 70.6 · Pass Blocking 83.6 · Run Blocking 65.2
Malik McGowan (Guard)
PFF Grades: Offense 69.8 · Pass Blocking 86.3 · Run Blocking 66.9
Alani Makihele (Center)
PFF Grades: Offense 60.9 · Pass Blocking 76.0 · Run Blocking 63.3
Will Thomas (Center)
PFF Grades: Offense 53.9 · Pass Blocking 36.7 · Run Blocking 66.3
James Faminu (Guard)
PFF Grades: Offense 61.1 · Pass Blocking 59.1 · Run Blocking 60.2
Austin Boyd (Guard)
PFF Grades: Offense 47.7 · Pass Blocking 45.0 · Run Blocking 48.8
Williams and McGowan were excellent in pass protection. The interior, especially Boyd and Will Thomas, broke down too often and allowed pressure that nearly swung the game.
Takeaways After Week 0
Top performers: Colandrea, Thomas, and Bradley all graded among the best in the nation at their positions in Week 0.
Concerns: Interior line play and wide receiver depth beyond Bradley.
Outlook: The Rebels produced 38 points and 532 yards, but the margin was slimmer than expected. A sharper interior line and more consistent secondary receiving options will be critical heading into Week 1 at Sam Houston.