Las Vegas, NV — Anthony Colandrea threw for 203 yards and three touchdowns as UNLV held off a late surge from UCLA to claim a 30–23 win Saturday night, marking the Rebels’ first victory over a Big Ten opponent in more than two decades.
The last time UNLV beat a Big Ten team was on Sept. 13, 2003, when they upset No. 14 Wisconsin 23–5 in Madison. Now, with a 3–0 start to the season, the Rebels are turning heads.
“We’re building this program to be one of the premier ones on the West Coast,” said head coach Dan Mullen. “That was a huge win for us. UCLA is a talented team, and we found a way to finish.”
Colandrea Leads the Charge
Colandrea was efficient and poised throughout the game, completing 15 of 21 passes and adding 59 rushing yards. He did most of his damage in the first half, throwing for 171 yards and two touchdowns as UNLV jumped out to a commanding 23–0 lead late in the second quarter.
“I think we executed at a really high level early,” Colandrea said. “In the second half, I started leaving the pocket too soon, but in the end, we came away with the win, and that’s what matters.”
Bruins Rally Falls Short
UCLA (0–2) struggled mightily in the first half, managing just a field goal before the break and being outgained 250–110 in total yards. But the Bruins showed life after halftime.
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava completed 29 of 41 passes for 255 yards with one touchdown and one interception, helping lead a second-half rally that pulled the Bruins within a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
With just over two minutes remaining, UCLA got the ball back with a chance to tie. But with 52 seconds left, UNLV linebacker Marsel McDuffie tipped a pass that was intercepted by nickelback Aarmaris Brown, sealing the victory for the Rebels.
“I’m frustrated,” UCLA coach DeShaun Foster said. “We know we’re capable of better execution. If we could’ve played two full halves, the result might’ve been different.”
UNLV Keeps Streaks Alive
The Rebels have now scored at least 20 points in 25 consecutive regular-season games — the second-longest active streak in FBS behind Memphis (39).
UNLV also extended its Mountain West record with 17 straight games committing one turnover or fewer.
The interception that clinched the game was UNLV’s 55th takeaway in the past four years — the most in the FBS during that stretch.
Sloppy Play Slows Game
Both teams were heavily penalized, combining for 27 flags and 258 penalty yards. Each side lost 129 yards due to infractions, contributing to a sluggish game that stretched nearly four hours (3:52).
What’s Next:
UCLA will try to regroup at home Friday night against New Mexico.
UNLV closes out nonconference play on the road at Miami (Ohio) on Sept. 20.
The Rebels, who came up just short of the College Football Playoff’s Group of Five bid last season, are starting to build a compelling case early in 2025.
