UNLV Rebels vs Utah State Aggies – November 15, 2025 @ Allegiant Stadium
It was a wet-Las Vegas afternoon — but nothing dampened the drama inside Allegiant Stadium. Two teams with potent offenses and porous defenses faced off, and the betting markets reflected that: bookmakers posted the highest over/under of the week in college football at 71.5 points.
Pre-Game Notes
Both squads came into the matchup as high-scoring machines defensively challenged. UNLV’s offense was averaging ~463 yards per game (16th nationally) with about 37.4 points per game. Their defense, meanwhile, was surrendering roughly 450 yards per game (131st in the FBS) and giving up nearly 32 points per contest.
Utah State’s offense was cracking ~425 yards per game and 33.7 points per contest (39th and 27th nationally respectively). On the flip side, their defense was allowing about 421.6 yards per game (120th nationally) and nearly 30 points per game.
In short: everyone expected points. The sportsbooks weren’t kidding when they set the total so high.
How the Game Played Out
The Rebels (8-2, 4-2 MW) and the Aggies (5-5, 3-3 MW) traded blows in an edge-of-your-seat battle that would not be decided until double overtime.
Key box score highlights:
- Utah State finished with 23 first downs vs. UNLV’s 27.
- Total offense: USU 36 rushes for 178 yards; UNLV 32 rushes for 146 yards. Through the air: USU 256 passing yards; UNLV 276.
- Sacks: USU’s QB Bryson Barnes was sacked 7 times for 37 yards lost.
- Time of possession: UNLV held the ball 32:15 compared to USU’s 27:45.
Star performers:
- For Utah State: Barnes completed 19-of-38 for 256 yards and 1 TD, plus he rushed 22 times for 124 yards and a 58-yard touchdown run. He also had a big 109-yard receiving effort from Braden Pegan (8 receptions) as the top target.
- For UNLV: QB Anthony Colandrea completed 24-of-43 for 276 yards and 1 TD, with 1 interception. On the ground, running back Kaydeen McGee had 3 rushes for 54 yards including the game-winning 25-yard TD run in double overtime.
Thriller of an ending
In the fourth quarter, with the Aggies up 23-20, Barnes exploded on a 58-yard rush to put USU ahead. UNLV responded with a field goal to tie it 23-23 and left 2:18 on the clock for Utah State to potentially win it. They did, sending USU into field-goal range and giving kicker Tanner Rinker a 44-yard attempt — which would eventually decide things.
But Rinker’s night unraveled: 4 total missed kicks (one extra point, two field goals in regulation, one in OT).
Then in double overtime, McGee’s 25-yard run gave UNLV the 29-26 win.
What It Means for Both Teams
- UNLV improves to 8-2 (4-2 in Mountain West), bolstering their bowl-push and giving head coach Dan Mullen another signature win at home.
- Utah State falls to 5-5 (3-3 MW) and will have to fight even harder to reach bowl eligibility.
- Defensively, both squads showed glimpses of competence — especially UNLV last week, holding an opponent to 292 yards per report. But the sacks, the missed kicks, the close finish all underline: when your defense is weak, tight wins are far from assured.
- The over/under of 71.5 loomed large; final score 29 + 26 = 55 total points, well under. So if you bet the over—you owned the risk.
Looking Ahead
UNLV will host the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors next Friday on Senior Night in what will be their final home game of the season — Mullen is urging fans to show up and make it count. Meanwhile, Utah State must regroup and fix the special-teams miscues (those missed kicks loomed large).
Post Game Press Conference Video and More
