UNLV Holds On For 30-23 Win Over UCLA At Allegiant Stadium Saturday; Attendance Announced At 36,117
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Story by Alan Snel Photos by Hugh Byrne
LAS VEGAS, Nevada — It was penalties galore in the first quarter of the UNLV-UCLA football game at Allegiant Stadium lasted longer than a visit to a DMV office during a Nevada state computer showdown.
But it didn’t bother the Rebels, which led, 10-0, after the first 15 minutes and then tacked on a touchdown in the second quarter to enjoy a 23-3 lead at the half. UCLA kicked a field goal with only four seconds to go in the first half.
The penalties kept on flying inside the domed Raiders NFL stadium — UCLA had 14 and UNLV had 13 — but the Rebels held off a second half rally by the Bruins to register a 30-23 victory to win their first three games of the 2025 season under new coach Dan Mullen.
After Rebels placekicker drilled a 50-yard field goal, quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw a 21-yard TD to tight end Nick Elksnis and a 21-yard scoring toss to wide receiver Troy Omeire before Keyvone Lee ran it in from 19 yards in the first half.
UNLV notched its third straight win behind the accurate tosses by Colandrea and runs by Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas. The Rebels defeated Idaho State two weeks ago in this stadium and Sam Houstion in Texas last week.
“What a great team win,” Mullen said after the game. “This was the most talented team we played so far.”
UNLV held UCLA and its much heralded quarterback Nico Iamaleave to 110 total yards in the first half before UCLA rebounded with more than 300 yards in the second half.
The stadium’s lower bowl was full, with some fans filling seats in the upper bowl at midfield. It looked like a decent crowd in the 30,000s, and we will get the announced attendance later today. There were some UCLA fans in the NFL stadium run by the Raiders.
UNLV later announced attendance at 36,117, making it the third largest crowd for a UNLV football game at Allegiant Stadium.
UCLA cut into the UNLV lead in the third quarter with ten unanswered points, so the Rebels took a 23-13 lead into the fourth quarter.
But Colandrea responded.
He made two nice runs and then fired a superb toss for a 17-yard TD to Var’Keyes Gumms give UNLV a 30-13 lead.
Iamaleava ran 30 yards for a TD and a UNLV field goal from 33 yards cut the UNLV lead to 30-23.
But Iamaleava was picked off by UNLV defensive back Aamaris Brown with about a minute left in the fourth quarter and UNLV clinched the win with its victory formation.
UNLV plays Miami of Ohio Sept. 20 and Wyoming Oct. 4 both on the road, with the next home game coming Oct. 11 when Air Force lands in Las Vegas.
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