For the second straight year, UNLV football has come out of the gates at 3-0, and momentum is building behind first-year coach Dan Mullen. The offense has been firing, led by quarterback Anthony Colandrea, who has completed 75.4% of his passes for 647 yards and six touchdowns. His efficiency has given the Rebels stability under center and optimism as they approach Mountain West play.
The receiving corps has featured Jaden Bradley as a breakout contributor, though he was quiet against UCLA. Transfer additions Troy Omeire, Daejon Reynolds, and Var’Keyes Gumms have kept the passing game balanced and productive. On the ground, star running back Jai’den Thomas has carried the load with 273 rushing yards and four touchdowns, though his pace has dipped since Week 1. A matchup with Miami’s leaky run defense could be exactly what he needs to get back on track.
Defensive Concerns
The Rebels’ biggest question mark remains the defense, which has surrendered 279 passing yards and 159 rushing yards per game, ranking among the bottom 15 nationally against the pass. Still, there have been bright spots. Aamaris Brown leads the nation in interceptions while tallying 14 tackles, and Marsel McDuffie has provided leadership and physicality in the secondary. Against Miami (OH)’s sputtering offense, this unit has a chance to build confidence.
Miami (OH) Off to a Slow Start
The RedHawks have stumbled to an 0-2 start, scoring just 8.5 points per game with only two touchdowns through two contests. Transfer quarterback Dequan Finn has yet to throw a touchdown pass, and while Keith Reynolds emerged last week with seven catches for 120 yards, offensive consistency remains elusive.
The running back tandem of Kenny Tracy and D’Shauntae Jones has failed to establish momentum, putting further strain on an offense already searching for rhythm. Defensively, Miami has allowed 387 yards per game, particularly struggling against the run, though they have shown the ability to pressure quarterbacks with six sacks in two games.
Keys to the Game
-
Get Jai’den Thomas Going – Miami has struggled against the run, and Thomas needs a breakout game to reassert himself as the centerpiece of UNLV’s offense.
-
Clamp Down on Miami’s Offense – The RedHawks are averaging fewer than 10 points per game. If UNLV’s defense can dominate early, it will send confidence surging ahead of Mountain West play.
-
Start Fast Despite Early Kickoff – With a rare 9 a.m. kickoff, UNLV must avoid sluggishness. Setting the tone early will ensure control of the game.
Prediction
The spread looks disrespectful to an unbeaten UNLV team facing one of the coldest offenses in the nation. If Thomas establishes the run, Colandrea will keep the passing attack humming, and the defense will finally get the boost it needs.
Final Score: UNLV 34, Miami (OH) 13
The Rebels head into conference play with a statement road win and a perfect record intact.
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
