4 takeaways from CSU football's loss to UNLV
Colorado State football had no time to recover after its bye week, suffering a heavy 42-10 home defeat to UNLV on Saturday. With numerous roster changes and injuries this season, the Rams struggled to build momentum or consistency.
UNLV’s explosive offense dominates
Throughout the game, UNLV showcased impressive speed and power that CSU could not contain. Despite a promising start, the Rams’ cohesion faded quickly after the first quarter. Though the performance was slightly better than their 28-0 Border War loss, it still fell short of keeping bowl game hopes alive.
“Every snap felt like a home run waiting to happen.”
The Rebels capitalized on nearly every opportunity, executing big plays while avoiding costly mistakes. Jai’Den Thomas rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries, while Jaylon Glover added 99 yards and another score on 12 attempts. Thomas’s standout runs of 59 and 57 yards underscored UNLV's dominance, coupled with long passes of 68, 39, 37, and 25 yards.
CSU starts strong, then fades
In the early stages, CSU led in total yards and turnovers, showing signs of promise. Their opening drive was methodical and well-executed, covering 75 yards in 13 plays and ending with their only touchdown of the night. However, momentum vanished as UNLV’s pace and depth overwhelmed them.
Author’s summary
The Rams began with confidence but were soon outmatched by UNLV’s explosive offense, exposing Colorado State’s ongoing struggles with consistency and depth.