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Snapshot
Date: Saturday, November 8, 2025 Kickoff: 6:35 p.m. PT
Venue: Canvas Stadium – Fort Collins, CO
Television: FS1 (Dan Hellie & Petros Papadakis)
Radio: ESPN 1100 AM / 100.9 FM (Matt Neverett, Caleb Herring & Steve Cofield) SiriusXM: Channel 380
Mountain West Picture
Two weeks have shifted the equation. A couple of weeks ago, UNLV was gliding toward December with a MW Championship Berth in mind. Today, the Rebels need a road win to remain part of the title picture. San Diego State (4-0) and Boise State (4-1) own the league’s best records, and Fresno State, Hawai‘i, and New Mexico all have their eyes on 3-2. UNLV (2-2) has one of the best overall marks in the league, but the cushion is slim.
UNLV Preview
The script versus New Mexico felt familiar: a slow start, a furious rally, and a late slip. The defense has allowed 12 TDs of 30+ in three weeks and 500+ yards in three straight, putting the onus back on an offense that’s been elite most of the year.
The profile is still there: 36.9 PPG (No. 16 FBS), 30+ points in eight straight (school record), and nine road wins since 2024 (t-most in FBS). Anthony Colandrea threw for 382 yards/3 TD while battling the flu; Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas set a school RB mark with 11 receptions (8 total TD this season). Jaden Bradley and Daejon Reynolds stretch the field; Var’Keyes Gumms and Nick Elksnis are red-zone answers.
Defensively, Paul Guenther’s group remains opportunistic: +8 turnover margin, 11 INT, 3 defensive TD, but the emphasis this week is eye discipline, tackling, and cleaner communication front-to-back. Aamaris Brown (4 INT, 2 TD) and Marsel McDuffie (team-high tackles) lead.
Coach Dan Mullen, on margin and miscues: “We had two chances, a stop and a drive, and didn’t finish either. The margin between winning and losing is smaller than people think.” “320 yards on six plays… the other snaps weren’t much. It’s consistency and communication.”
On CSU’s identity: “They’re No. 1 in blitz percentage. They’ll bring it from everywhere…high risk, high reward.”
Colorado State Preview
Interim head coach Tyson Summers (worked for Mullen at Florida) used the bye to reset routines and expand meeting time, especially for OC Grant Chesnut to install “the why.” The Rams average 19.4 PPG, 329.0 YPG (187.5 pass / 141.5 rush). Freshman QB Jackson Brousseau (840 yds, 6 TD, 61%) runs the show; RBs Jalen Dupree (5.1 YPC) and Lloyd Avant (3 TD) power the ground game. WR Armani Winfield and TE Rocky Beers are trusted targets.
Defensively, LB Owen Long stacks tackles, and DB Jace Bellah has 3 INT. CSU has forced 12 fumbles and limits opponents to 142 rush ypg, but explosive passes have hurt.
Summers’ message: reset, trust, and let Brousseau “play free” rather than press. Rams defenders echoed the fix: eliminate explosives, nail gap fits, and finally play complementary football.
By the Numbers
UNLV defense (last 3): 603 (W 51-48 vs AFA), 558 (L 31-56 at Boise), 532 (L 35-40 vs UNM)
Explosive Tax: 12 opponent TDs of 30+ yards over three games
Opportunistic: +8 TO margin, 11 INT, 3 defensive TD
Road Swagger: 9 road wins since 2024 (t-most in FBS)
Points Machine: 36.9 PPG, 30+ in 8 straight (school record)
CSU Profile: 19.4 PPG, 329.0 YPG, 35.2% on 3rd, 47.6% on 4th
Blitz City: CSU = No. 1 FBS in blitz rate (high risk/reward)
Last three defensive outings (UNLV)
Date | Opponent | Opp. Total Yds | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
Oct 11, 2025 | Air Force | 603 | W 51-48 |
Oct 18, 2025 | at Boise State | 558 | L 31-56 |
Nov 1, 2025 | New Mexico | 532 | L 35-40 |
What to Watch
When UNLV has the ball:
Blitz plan or bust: Hot answers (slant/spot/choice), RB/TE check-release, sight adjusts; mix screens/draws to punish width; take max-protect shots when CSU overcommits.
Ball security: CSU’s strip rate is really protected after catch; own the hidden yards with YAC over hero balls.
When CSU has the ball:
Explosive control: Cap the verticals; keep bracket/leverage rules clean.
Comms audit: Echo checks DL↔LB↔DB; no split calls (front gets what the back gets).
Make them drive: Brousseau is better when on schedule—live with underneath, rally, and tackle.
Key Storylines
Rebound Run: UNLV is avoiding its first 3-game skid since 2022.
Defensive Reset: Trade a few takeaways for fewer explosives.
QB Contrast: Colandrea’s command vs. Brousseau’s freshman arc.
Hidden Yardage: Special teams field position + CSU’s 4th-down aggression could swing a one-score game.
Familiar Faces: Mullen vs. Summers; staff ties on both sidelines.
Key Players to Watch
UNLV Rebels
Player | 2025 Stats / Notes |
|---|---|
QB Anthony Colandrea | 2,451 total yds / 19 TD / 69% CMP |
RB Jai’Den Thomas | 649 rush yds / 6.8 YPC / 7 TD; 11 rec last game |
WR Jaden Bradley | 586 yds / 3 TD |
DB Aamaris Brown | 4 INT / two defensive TDs |
LB Marsel McDuffie | 62 tackles / 3 TFL / 1 Sack |
Colorado State Rams
Player | 2025 Stats / Notes |
|---|---|
QB Jackson Brousseau | 840 yds / 6 TD / 3 INT / 60.8% |
RB Jalen Dupree | 452 yds / 5.1 YPC / 2 TD |
WR Armani Winfield | 268 yds / 13.4 avg / 2 TD |
LB Owen Long | 103 tackles / 1 sack |
DB Jace Bellah | 3 INT / 53 return yds |
Series History
All-Time: CSU leads 17-7-1 (.700)
Current Streak: UNLV W1 (2023)
Last Meeting: 2023 – UNLV 25–23 (Las Vegas)
Last in Fort Collins: 2019 – CSU 37–17
Largest Wins: UNLV 48–14 (1994) | CSU 63–13 (1999)
Trend: CSU has won seven straight at home vs. UNLV
How They Win
UNLV: Start cleaner (no 21-0 hole), protect vs. pressure, keep the +TO edge, and most of all, cap explosive plays. A steadier defense plus a few well-timed max-protect shots flips field position and tempers CSU’s blitz appetite.
Colorado State: Lean on pressure to steal downs, win early in the series, and let Brousseau play on schedule. Finish red-zone trips, steal a possession with 4th-down aggression, and make UNLV drive the long way.
Bottom Line: UNLV is bowl-eligible and battle-tested. November is about execution and finishing. In Fort Collins, it’s a gut check: control the explosives, handle the blitz, and the Rebels steady the season.
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