Full Breakdown
UNLV Rebels Achieve Historic Win Over Wyoming Cowboys Amid Hail Storm
10/5/2025, 3:13:11 PM
UNLV's Dominant Performance
On October 4, 2025, the UNLV Rebels secured a 31-17 victory over the Wyoming Cowboys in Laramie, marking their first 5-0 start in 50 years. The game was notably impacted by a hail storm that covered the field at War Memorial Stadium, creating challenging conditions for both teams. UNLV's running back Keyvone Lee initiated the scoring with a six-yard touchdown run, followed by significant contributions from special teams. Jaden Bradley blocked a punt, which Kayden McGee returned for a touchdown, and later, McGee blocked another punt that Bradley returned for a score, giving UNLV a commanding 24-3 lead at halftime.
Key Contributions and Statistics
Quarterback Anthony Colandrea completed 11 of 20 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown, while Jai’Den Thomas led the ground game with 94 rushing yards. Bradley also contributed significantly, catching five passes for 65 yards in addition to his special teams touchdowns. Wyoming's quarterback Kaden Anderson struggled, completing 25 of 46 passes for 254 yards, with one touchdown and a critical interception.
Special Teams Impact
The game was characterized by exceptional special teams play from UNLV, which was highlighted by the two blocked punts returned for touchdowns. UNLV's head coach Dan Mullen emphasized the importance of special teams in their victory, stating, "You have to win with offense, defense, and special teams, and our special teams certainly won us the game." Wyoming's head coach Jay Sawvel acknowledged the need for improvement in their punt protection, noting that the operation time for their punter was too slow, which contributed to the blocks.
Wyoming's Struggles
Despite a strong defensive showing that limited UNLV to 255 total yards, Wyoming's inability to capitalize on offensive opportunities proved detrimental. The Cowboys managed to score only once in the first half and briefly narrowed the gap in the third quarter with a touchdown from Deion DeBlanc. However, Colandrea's touchdown pass to Thomas in the fourth quarter sealed the game for the Rebels.
Official Statements & Responses
Following the game, Wyoming's defensive player Tyce Westland expressed frustration over the special teams' errors, stating, "Those two punt blocks really hurt us." He acknowledged that scoring on special teams significantly increases the chances of winning, indicating the critical nature of those plays in the outcome.
What's Next
With this victory, UNLV begins its Mountain West Conference play with a 1-0 record and prepares for a home matchup against Air Force at Allegiant Stadium. Wyoming, now 2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference play, will need to regroup as they face challenges ahead in their quest for a bowl game.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Our special teams were huge tonight and the conditions were tough,” — Dan Mullen, Head Coach, UNLV
- “That's just a frustrating loss. So, we gotta do better.” — Tyce Westland, Defensive Player, Wyoming
This game will be remembered not only for the historic win for UNLV but also for the unique weather conditions that added an unusual twist to the matchup.
