UNLV vs. Colorado State Preview
UNLV football coach Dan Mullen appeared serious and focused during his Monday press conference, reflecting on the Rebels’ recent 40-35 home loss to New Mexico. Unlike his usual upbeat demeanor, there were no jokes or smiles as he considered the game’s crucial moments.
Game Review and Team Performance
The Rebels fell behind by 21 points but managed to rally back late in the game. Despite cutting the Lobos’ lead to just one with over six minutes remaining, UNLV's defense allowed a touchdown run with 2:54 left, and the offense failed to capitalize on their final scoring opportunity.
“That hurts, as a team,” Mullen said. “It’s our focus to get back into making sure we’re performing better, and when we have opportunities to make things happen, to win games, we’re doing things to win games.”
Mullen is not overly concerned with the missed tackles or the 532 yards of offense allowed but is frustrated the team didn’t secure victory when the chance arose.
Upcoming Game Outlook
The Rebels stand at 6-2 overall and 2-2 in Mountain West Conference play, aiming to maintain their title hopes with a win on Saturday against Colorado State, which holds a 2-6 record with a 1-3 conference mark.
Key Player Highlight
Quarterback Anthony Colandrea remains a central figure for UNLV, delivering strong performances. In the New Mexico game, he completed 36 of 46 passes for 382 yards and three touchdowns, reinforcing his position as one of the top quarterbacks in the Mountain West.
Author’s summary: UNLV’s coach emphasizes learning from a tough loss while focusing on upcoming Mountain West battles, banking on quarterback Anthony Colandrea’s strong play to fuel a comeback.