College football returns to Allegiant Stadium on August 23 as UNLV kicks off the 2025 season against Idaho State in the earliest game in program history. It’s the first FBS game of the year and the official debut of Dan Mullen as head coach of the Rebels.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. PT. The game will stream on the Mountain West Network and air locally on ESPN Radio 1100 AM / 100.9 FM.
Vegas has weighed in: UNLV opens as a 25.5-point favorite, with a total of 63.5 (DraftKings). But this one isn’t about style points, it’s about laying a foundation. Mullen’s first team needs to execute cleanly, stay healthy, and build cohesion ahead of a tougher Week 1 trip to Sam Houston. For Idaho State, it’s about rhythm, reps, and resilience against a superior opponent.
Reset in Pocatello
Idaho State arrives in Las Vegas amid a complete program overhaul. Now in his third season, head coach Cody Hawkins has brought in nearly 60 new players and rebuilt much of his coaching staff.
“It feels like we’re starting over,” Hawkins told the Idaho State Journal. “But in a good way… we’ve raised the floor.”
The Bengals are young, deep, and still searching for consistency. A few returning veterans anchor the roster:
Stryker Rashid (OL) – Utah Tech transfer and All-Big Sky second team in 2024
Nathan Reynolds (LB) – 92 tackles and two fumble recoveries last year
Mason Young (S) – 77-tackle safety and preseason All-Big Sky selection
Scheduling Shuffle
This Week 0 matchup wasn’t always set for August. Originally, UNLV and Idaho State were scheduled to play on September 13. Still, the date was moved up three weeks due to the Canelo Álvarez–Terence Crawford super fight at Allegiant Stadium.
The change forced both programs to adjust, and Idaho State arguably had the bigger logistical challenge. The Bengals moved the start of fall camp nearly two weeks earlier (July 21 instead of early August) and gained a rare two-bye schedule, with open dates on September 13 and October 18.
ISU Athletic Director Pauline Thiros confirmed the program will receive additional money to offset the changes, noting that UNLV has been a good partners in working through the costs. While the Rebels get a softer home opener under a new head coach, Idaho State benefits from extra funding and midseason rest.
Cooke Takes the Reins
The quarterback question is answered: redshirt junior Jordan Cooke will start for Idaho State in Week 0. Hawkins confirmed the decision after the Bengals’ August 9 scrimmage.
Cooke brings mobility and game experience, and he’ll take the majority of first-team snaps as ISU finalizes its offensive plan for UNLV. While depth remains behind him, the offense will now be tailored to his strengths, with the expectation that he can extend plays and generate chunk gains against an aggressive Rebel front.
Brooks the Bell Cow
While Idaho State is known for spreading the field and throwing it, the focal point of their 2025 offense could be in the backfield. Dason Brooks, a 5-11, 228-pound redshirt senior and former linebacker, led the Bengals in rushing last year with 506 yards at 6.2 yards per carry, plus four touchdowns.
With most of last season’s carries leaving via graduation or transfer, Brooks is expected to handle a heavy workload. Hawkins has said Brooks can be an All-Big Sky performer and could be on the field for “at least half” of ISU’s offensive snaps. Behind him, the depth chart is thin on experience, with returners combining for just six carries last year.
The Bengals’ offensive line, led by assistant coach John Hughes, who turned down an offseason offer from Montana, will be counted on to create running lanes. If Brooks finds rhythm early, it could help Cooke settle in and keep Idaho State’s offense on schedule against UNLV’s front.
Defensive Overhaul Under Grant Duff
Last season, the Bengals allowed 37.8 points per game and gave up 60 total touchdowns, the second-worst in the Big Sky. Defensive coordinator Josh Runda was let go midseason, and Hawkins brought in Grant Duff, a former Weber State assistant with local ties and a reputation for aggressive, flexible defense.
Duff is scrapping the old 3-3-5 system and installing a "multiple" defense built on one-gap principles up front and personnel-matching on the back end.
“Simplicity is a benefit on defense,” Hawkins said. “But we’re at a point now where we’ve got guys who can handle more.”
Duff’s unit won’t be fully installed by Week 0, but the concepts are in place. The goal is to install the full system in fall camp, then tweak each week based on matchups. Freshman defensive back Tre Shorty has already emerged with a red zone interception in a recent scrimmage, and Boise State transfer Troy Wilkey is earning praise as a ferocious safety option.
“I don’t want our guys to be a dartboard,” Duff said. “I want them to be offensive on defense.”
UNLV: Operation, Not Outcome
Don’t expect UNLV to open the vault in Week 0. The Rebels will likely keep things vanilla, basic formations, simple tempo, and a heavy rotation across the two-deep. This game is about communication, execution, and seeing who’s ready to contribute.
Quarterback Anthony Colandrea is expected to start, with Alex Orji also likely to see time. Jai’Den Thomas may be limited in touches, but the offensive line, led by FCS Rimington winner Reid Williams, will get its first live look at pace and protection under Dan Mullen’s system.
Defensively, interim DC Paul Guenther is expected to rotate heavily and keep the scheme simple. The secondary is loaded with veterans, and linebacker Marsel McDuffie now steps into the leadership role vacated by Jackson Woodard.
Stat Trends Under the Hood (2021–2024)
Looking at the past four seasons, a few patterns emerge that shape what Mullen inherits:
Run-Heavy Evolution: By 2024, UNLV had shifted heavily toward the ground game. Pass attempts dropped to the teens in many games, while rushing attempts surged, often producing 200+ yards and efficiency over 6.0 YPC in peak outings.
Ball Control: 2024 saw some of the highest time-of-possession marks in recent years (40:42 vs. Wyoming; 36:17 vs. Nevada), suggesting a grind-it-out approach.
Decline in Aerial Production: Passing yards per game dropped sharply from the high-volume 2022 attack, with only one 300-yard passing game in 2024.
Consistent Scoring: Total touchdowns per game remained steady, with rushing scores becoming the primary source.
Efficiency First: Even in lower-volume passing games, the offense often leaned on explosive rushing efficiency to sustain drives and finish in the red zone.
UNLV Players to Watch
Marsel McDuffie (LB) – The defense likely runs through him now.
Jai’Den Thomas (RB) – Strong candidate for 2025 Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year; may be on a snap count.
Denver Harris (CB) – Healthy and hungry; could get tested early.
Jaheem Joseph (S) – Consistent and versatile; expect him around the ball.
Anthony Colandrea / Alex Orji (QB) – Both expected to play; eyes will be on poise and command.
Aamaris Brown (S) – Could shift inside in nickel packages.
Laterrance Welch (CB) – Physical, experienced cover corner.
Justin Flowe (LB) – Downhill threat in short-yardage if healthy.
Tunmise Adeleye (DE) – Former SEC recruit with real edge potential.
What to Watch
From UNLV:
Quarterback Command – Orji and Colandrea’s tempo, decisiveness, and control
OL Execution – Expectation is dominance, but cohesion matters more
Defensive Sub-Packages – Who rotates in? How is McDuffie deployed?
Special Teams – Smooth operation in all phases
From Idaho State:
Jordan Cooke’s Composure – First start of 2025, in a hostile road environment
Dason Brooks’ Impact – Can the Bengals establish the run and keep the offense balanced?
Defensive Pressure – Duff wants to generate chaos up front
Red Zone Defense – Limit damage and force field goals
Keys to a UNLV Win
Stay Healthy – Priority No. 1
Control the Trenches – Set the tone early on both lines
Build Confidence in All Three Phases – Especially special teams and secondary communication
Prediction: UNLV 59, Idaho State 14
UNLV won’t show much. They don’t need to. Expect a limited playbook, controlled reps, and extended rotations. The Rebels should dominate at the line of scrimmage, move the ball with relative ease, and create enough defensive disruption to stay in control throughout.
Idaho State may land a few late scores, but the talent gap is significant. Look for UNLV to iron out communication issues and fine-tune their substitution patterns before a tougher Week 1 matchup at Sam Houston, where the real chess match begins.