`By : Ethan Horner (Photo/UNLV Athletics)
The UNLV Rebels opened the night with a steady, methodical drive capped by a 44-yard field goal, converting two key third downs to set the tone early. While the passing attack looked sharp out of the gate, the run game struggled to gain traction.
Hawai‘i wasted no time responding. On their first possession, the Rainbow Warriors struck with a 70-yard bomb to standout receiver Jackson Harris, marking his 11th touchdown of the season and taking the lead at 7–3.
UNLV answered right back. The Rebels marched 75 yards in eight plays, finishing the drive with an 8-yard touchdown pass to Jaden Bradley. Momentum stayed with UNLV as the defense made a crucial stop to close the first quarter. Just moments into the second, quarterback Anthony Colandrea connected with sophomore receiver Taeshaun Lyons for a stunning 72-yard touchdown, giving the Rebels a 17–7 lead.
The UNLV defense kept the pressure on, coming away with one of the wildest turnovers of the season. Safety Tre Fulton tipped a pass into the air, allowing teammate Jake Pope to collect it off the ricochet—an interception that tied the FBS lead for most picks by a program since 2022 with 62, pulling them even with Notre Dame.
The Rebels turned that takeaway into points, grinding through a 13-play drive that ended with a bruising 14-yard touchdown run by Keyvone Lee. With five minutes remaining in the half, UNLV extended its lead to 24–7.
Hawai‘i managed to chip into the deficit before the break as kicker Kansei Matsuzawa drilled a 45-yard field goal, extending his FBS-best streak to 24 consecutive makes. UNLV entered the locker room ahead 24–10.
The third quarter saw both defenses clamp down, producing the game’s only scoreless period. But UNLV struck immediately to open the fourth, finishing an 85-yard drive with Colandrea’s third touchdown pass of the night.
Moments later, the Rebels stuffed Hawai‘i on a 4th-and-1 attempt at their own 27. On the very next play, offensive coordinator Mike Mullen dialed up a creative call that freed JoJo Earle for a 27-yard touchdown run, blowing the game open at 38–10.
From there, the UNLV defense took complete control, forcing two more turnovers to close out the game and seal a dominant victory.
UNLV’s balanced showing—explosive offense, timely defensive plays, and strong situational execution—powered them to a statement win.