UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea became the first Rebel ever to win the Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year award, capping a breakthrough junior season that reshaped the program’s expectations at the position. The conference honored him after a year in which he led UNLV to a 10-2 overall record, a 6-2 league mark, and helped the program reach its third straight Mountain West Championship Game.
The recognition places Colandrea among elite company. He is the 18th quarterback to win the award and the first since 2021. He also earned a spot in the Davey O’Brien Award Class of 2025, appeared on the Manning Award watch list, and became the first Rebel to win four Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week awards in a career.
“I’ve always believed I’d play for Coach Mullen,” Colandrea said. “The development I’ve had here is why I’m here. This is the biggest game and biggest season of my life.”
A season that changed the Rebels’ trajectory
Colandrea completed 238 of 349 passes for 3,050 yards and a league-best 22 touchdowns while rushing for 555 yards and eight more scores. He is one of only four FBS quarterbacks this season with at least 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards.
His 68.2 percent completion rate is on pace for a school record, and his 157.8 passer efficiency ranks 17th nationally.
“He’s got something about him,” head coach Dan Mullen said. “He brings energy to the whole team.”
UNLV’s offense placed multiple players on the All–Mountain West teams, including First Team running back Jai’Den Thomas, who rushed for 944 yards and 12 touchdowns, and Second Team selections Jaden Bradley and Reid Williams.
A resilient roster behind its quarterback
The Rebels’ identity grew around Colandrea’s poise and consistency. UNLV is 5-1 at home, 5-1 on the road, and riding a four-game winning streak entering championship week.
“This group just stuck together,” linebacker Marsel McDuffie said. “That’s what makes us dangerous.”
A familiar challenge ahead
UNLV now turns toward a title-game rematch with Boise State, which defeated the Rebels 56–31 on Oct. 18. This time, the Mountain West Championship will be decided on Friday at 5 p.m. PT at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, where UNLV will attempt to secure its first conference title since 1994.
The Rebels enter at 10–2 and riding a four-game win streak, while Boise State stands at 8–4. It marks the third straight year these programs have met in the championship game — a rarity in FBS history.
“Three hundred days ago, Coach told us the goal was to win the Mountain West Championship,” Colandrea said. “Now it’s right in front of us.”
Multiple Rebels earn All-Mountain West honors
Colandrea’s historic award headlined an impressive day for UNLV, which placed six players on the First and Second Teams and five more on the honorable mention list.
First Team All–Mountain West
• QB Anthony Colandrea
• RB Jai’Den Thomas — national leader in yards per carry (7.43) with 12 rushing touchdowns
Second Team All–Mountain West
• WR Jaden Bradley — 51 catches, 834 yards, four touchdowns
• C Reid Williams — allowed just one sack this season
• LB Marsel McDuffie — 94 tackles, two interceptions
• DB Aamaris Brown — UNLV record four straight games with an interception
Honorable Mention
• DL Tunmise Adeleye — team-high six sacks
• OT Austin Boyd — key part of an offense scoring 29+ in every game
• DB Jaheem Joseph — 60 tackles, 8 TFL, 3.5 sacks
• WR DaeDae Reynolds — team-best five receiving touchdowns
• DB Laterrance Welch — tied for team lead with four interceptions
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