In Dan Mullen’s UNLV debut, Rebels fend off Idaho State

LAS VEGAS — Running again Jai’Den Thomas scored three touchdowns, the UNLV protection had 4 interceptions, and the closely favored Rebels held off Idaho State 38-31 on Saturday within the debut of Dan Mullen as their coach.

After profitable 11 video games in 2024, UNLV is beginning over with solely two returning starters and a brand new coach. Mullen, 103-61 in 13 seasons at Mississippi State and Florida earlier than changing into a university soccer analyst on ESPN, picked up the twelfth season-opening win of his profession.

“Great job by these guys, great way to come out and get a win,” Mullen stated. “Obviously, it’s so hard to win, there are so many new faces on the field for us.”

Thomas gained 147 yards on 10 carries and Virginia switch Anthony Colandrea threw for 195 yards to go along with 93 yards dashing.

The Rebels trailed 31-24 within the fourth quarter and struggled to place the sport away even after their protection intercepted Idaho State’s Jordan Cooke on back-to-back drives within the fourth.

After Colandrea’s 9-yard landing go to Daejon Reynolds tied it at 31, UNLV cashed in a single interception with Michigan switch quarterback Alex Orji’s 11-yard scramble for a rating on a fourth-and-1 play. Now main 38-31, the Rebels intercepted Cooke once more, however Ramon Villela missed a 41-yard subject aim try.

Idaho State drove to the UNLV 32 however Cooke was referred to as for intentional grounding whereas he was being sacked for a lack of 11 yards. On fourth-and-22, Quandarius Keyes broke up a go to seal the win for the Rebels, who closed as favorites of greater than 4 touchdowns simply earlier than kickoff.

“The great thing is: Find a way to win,” Mullen stated. “It could have been very easy for us to find a way to lose today. … And you know what? We’re going to enjoy that.”

Cooke completed 30-for-50 passing for 380 yards with one landing however he threw three of Idaho State’s 4 interceptions.

Thomas, one of many two returning starters for the Rebels (the opposite is linebacker Marsel McDuffie), erased a 10-0 deficit with second-quarter landing runs of 39 and 70 yards, however Idaho State led 17-14 at halftime after Dason Brooks scored on a 27-yard run with two minutes left within the half.

“If you’re not jumping up and down and celebrating, you’re playing the wrong game,” Mullen stated, wrapping up his closer-than-expected debut. “Because our team won.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.