OXFORD, Ohio — The UNLV Rebels scored the final 17 points and pulled out a wild 41-38 comeback win over Miami (Ohio) on Saturday, giving the Rebels their first-ever victory in the Eastern Time Zone.
The Rebels (4-0) overcame a sluggish start and erased a 14-point third-quarter deficit before Ramon Villela kicked a 23-yard field goal with 15 seconds remaining. Miami (0-3) had a chance to tie, but a bad snap on a 57-yard field goal attempt led to an interception by linebacker Marsel McDuffie, who also posted 10 tackles and recovered a fumble that set up the winning drive.
UNLV, playing in Oxford for the first meeting between the schools, tied the game early in the third quarter with two quick touchdowns. But Miami answered with a 100-yard kickoff return and an interception returned for a score to go back up 38-24. From there, the RedHawks’ offense was stifled, finishing with just 89 yards after halftime and failing to score on offense in the second half.
Quarterback Anthony Colandrea threw for 293 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Rebels, while running back Jet Thomas ran for 118 yards and a score. Safety Aamaris Brown delivered another spark, returning an interception for a touchdown in the second quarter — his nation-leading fourth pick and second pick-six of the season.
UNLV head coach Dan Mullen credited his players’ composure. “We had every reason to point a finger, to start complaining and to lose composure. But no one flinched,” Mullen said. “They just kept doing their job and winning the game.”
The win marked several milestones for the Rebels: their first road victory against a Mid-American Conference opponent, their first 4-0 start in back-to-back years in program history, and Mullen becoming the first UNLV coach since Tony Knap in 1976 to begin his tenure with four straight wins.
Thomas’ rushing touchdown moved him into a tie for sixth place on the school’s career rushing TD list with 24. UNLV also went 12-for-17 on third down, including a perfect 9-for-9 in the second half before the game-winning drive.
The RedHawks will return the matchup with a scheduled trip to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Sept. 18, 2032.
After a bye week, UNLV opens Mountain West play at Wyoming on Oct. 4.