You’d think a game between a Mountain West power and a Big Sky underdog would be a total snooze-fest, but honestly, anyone who watched UNLV football vs Idaho State Bengals football open the 2025 season knows better. It was supposed to be a blowout. The betting lines had UNLV as a massive 30.5-point favorite. Instead, fans at Allegiant Stadium got a cardiac event that came down to the final minutes.
The Rebels eventually walked away with a 38-31 win, but the scoreboard doesn't tell the whole story. It was Dan Mullen’s debut as the UNLV head coach, and for about three hours, it looked like his tenure might start with one of the biggest embarrassments in program history.
Why the Bengals Almost Ruined Dan Mullen’s Big Day
When Dan Mullen left the ESPN booth to take over in Las Vegas, the hype was real. Most people expected his offense to just steamroll an FCS opponent. But Idaho State, led by coach Cody Hawkins, didn't get the memo. They came out swinging with a trick play that made every highlight reel in the country: wide receiver Michael Shulikov tossing a 15-yard touchdown pass back to his quarterback, Jordan Cooke.
It was gutsy. It was weird. And it worked.
Idaho State actually outgained UNLV in total yardage, 555 to 532. That's a stat that usually means the underdog won. Jordan Cooke was basically a surgeon out there, carving up the Rebels' secondary for 380 yards through the air. If you just looked at the box score without seeing the final score, you'd swear the Bengals pulled the upset.
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The difference came down to turnovers. You can’t cough the ball up four times against an FBS team and expect to survive. Idaho State threw three interceptions and lost a fumble, and those mistakes gave UNLV the short fields they desperately needed to stay alive.
The Stars of UNLV Football vs Idaho State Bengals Football
While the Bengals were flashy, UNLV relied on raw athleticism and some serious grit in the run game. Jai’Den Thomas was basically a cheat code. He only had 10 carries, but he turned them into 147 yards and three touchdowns. One of those was a 70-yard house call that reminded everyone why he's one of the most dangerous backs in the Mountain West.
Key Performers at a Glance
- Jai’Den Thomas (UNLV): 147 rushing yards, 3 TDs. He was the reason the Rebels didn't panic.
- Jordan Cooke (ISU): 380 passing yards and a receiving TD. He looked like the best player on the field for long stretches.
- Anthony Colandrea (UNLV): The QB showed he could move, racking up 93 rushing yards and a touchdown pass to Daejon Reynolds.
- Dason Brooks (ISU): 132 rushing yards and 2 TDs. He proved the Bengals' ground game could compete with the big boys.
- Ian Duarte (ISU): 105 receiving yards, including a 64-yard bomb that tied the game late.
The Turning Point Nobody Talks About
Most fans remember Alex Orji’s 11-yard touchdown run that put UNLV ahead for good. It was a clutch fourth-down play where he basically willed himself into the end zone. But the real turning point happened on the defensive side.
The Rebels' defense was getting shredded for three quarters. Then, in the fourth, they finally adjusted. They started blitzing from different angles, which forced Cooke into those late-game interceptions. Marsel McDuffie and Jake Pope were everywhere, combining for 16 tackles.
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Without those defensive adjustments, Dan Mullen might be 0-1 right now. It sort of highlights a major concern for UNLV moving forward: their secondary. If an FCS team can throw for nearly 400 yards on them, what happens when they play UCLA or a high-powered Mountain West rival?
Historical Context: A Series of Blowouts (Until Now)
Historically, this hasn't been much of a rivalry. Before 2025, the meetings were mostly one-sided. In 2015, UNLV won 80-8. In 2022, it was 52-21. Basically, UNLV used Idaho State as a glorified scrimmage.
That’s why the 2025 game was such a shock. It signaled that Idaho State is no longer a "buy game" cupcake you can just schedule for an easy W. They’ve built a legitimate offense under Hawkins, and they play with a level of fearlessness that's fun to watch if you're a neutral fan—but terrifying if you're the opposing coach.
What This Means for Your Betting and Scouting
If you're a bettor or just a hardcore fan looking at future matchups involving these two, there are a few takeaways.
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First, never underestimate the Bengals' spread. They cover more often than people realize because their offense is designed to keep them in games. Second, keep an eye on UNLV’s rushing attack. They are a "run-first, run-second" team under this new regime. When Jai’Den Thomas is healthy, the Rebels are a different animal.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the highlights of the Michael Shulikov-to-Jordan Cooke trick play; it’s a masterclass in deception.
- Track the injury report for Jai’Den Thomas before UNLV's next conference game, as he is the engine of that offense.
- Monitor Idaho State's defensive stats in Big Sky play to see if they can fix the turnover issues that cost them the upset in Vegas.
The UNLV football vs Idaho State Bengals football matchup proved that the gap between the FBS and the top of the FCS is shrinking. It wasn't the prettiest win for the Rebels, but it was the kind of game that builds character for a long season.