The Unbeaten Rebels Roll Into Laramie: Can Wyoming Corral UNLV's Hot Streak?
- Jeff Bugher
- Sep 28
- 3 min read
The Pokes open conference play against UNLV on Saturday evening in the 2025 conference play opener.
UNLV rides into Laramie with a four-game hot streak, with victories over Idaho State (38–31), Sam Houston (38–21), UCLA (30–23), and Miami (OH) (41–38). Both UNLV and Wyoming return from bye weeks rested and recharged. The Cowboys are expected to get tight end John Michael Gyllenborg back after he missed time with a thigh bruise suffered against Utah.
History, however, leans Wyoming’s way. The Rebels have dropped six straight games in Laramie dating back to 2003, though that streak faces a serious test. The largest margin of victory in the series came on Sept. 28, 2019 (the last matchup in Laramie), when Wyoming rolled to a 53–17 win. The Cowboys currently hold a slim edge in the all-time matchup, leading 14–12.
This year, UNLV arrives in Laramie under new leadership. Dan Mullen took over the program in 2025 after Barry Odom departed for Purdue in the offseason.
UNLV's record last year: 11-3.
Taking a look at UNLV:
QB: UNLV brought in junior transfer quarterback Anthony Colandrea. His overall record at Virginia was 6-11. This year at UNLV, he has 78 completions on 108 attempts, eight touchdowns, three interceptions, 229 rushing yards on 46 attempts, and one rushing touchdown.
Rushing Leader: Running back Jai’Den Thomas (junior). Thomas has 393 total rushing yards with 8.7 average yards per attempt, and 98.3 yards per game. Overall, he has five rushing touchdowns for the season so far.
Receiving Leader: Senior wide receiver Jaden Bradley is in his second year at UNLV. He previously played for Charlotte for one season prior to spending the previous two seasons at Pitt. So far in 2025, Bradley has 20 receptions for 355 yards, 17.8 yards after reception, 88.8 yards per game, and two touchdowns.
Combined Tackle Leader: Linebacker Marsel McDuffie (senior). So far in 2025, he has 29 total tackles with 15 solo, 14 assists, including two tackles for loss, one sack, two interceptions, and one fumble recovered. McDuffie is no stranger to playing against Wyoming. In 2023, he recorded four assists and four solo tackles in his last matchup at Allegiant Stadium.
Interception Leader: Senior defensive back Aamaris Brown came to UNLV in 2025 after three years at South Florida and two years at Kansas State. So far in 2025, Brown has four interceptions and two touchdowns from interceptions, 18 combined tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks. He also leads the nation in interceptions per game, as well as ranks third in the country for passes defended. A true ball hawk.
National Rankings as a team per NCAA Stats:
3rd Down Conversion Pct Defense: #3 - Allowing opponents to convert only 21.7% of the time.
Turnover Margin: #5
Turnovers Gained: #4 - 10 turnovers.
Completion Percentage: #8 – Completes 73.0% of its passes.
Passes Intercepted: #2 - 8 interceptions.
Defensive TDs: #4 - The defense has scored two touchdowns
The Cowboys are coming off a 20-37 loss to Colorado on September 20th. ESPN commentators and fans questioned why Wyoming lacked urgency during a seven-minute fourth-quarter drive. Sawvel explained his game plan during his press conference last Monday, defending the play calling and strategy.
Keys to a Wyoming victory:
Dominate the line of scrimmage and the run game.
Win the turnover battle by at least +2, UNLV is ranked in this category.
Apply relentless pressure on QB Anthony Colandrea.
Win the critical down battles- UNLV ranks third in the nation for third-down conversions.
A clean game by Wyoming QB Kaden Anderson
Kickoff between Wyoming and UNLV is slated for 5:00 PM on Saturday afternoon at War Memorial Stadium. The game will be televised on CBSSN.
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