RENO (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV (10-2/6-2) made sure the beloved Fremont Cannon remained painted red and finished in a four-way tie for first place in the Mountain West with a dominating 42-17 victory at UNR (3-9/2-6) on Saturday night before a crowd of 17,912 at Mackay Stadium.
 
The Rebels reached the 10-win mark for the fourth time in history and in back-to-back seasons for the first time ever. UNLV, which downed the Wolf Pack for the fourth consecutive season, scored three times – each from 17 yards out – in its first four possessions to take command early. Head coach Dan Mullen's team also earned three points in the Silver State Series presented by America First Credit Union.
 
Jai'Den Thomas rushed for two first-half touchdowns, racking up 87 yards on six carries before the break and then adding two more scores in the second half. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea became just the fourth Rebel in history to reach the 3,000-yard mark passing in a season, finishing with 270 yards vs. UNR.
 
Despite committing eight off-sides penalties, the UNLV defense turned in its fourth straight strong effort, including holding a second consecutive opponent under 20 points. DB Jaheem Joseph led the way with five total tackles, two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble.
 
REBEL OF THE GAME:
Junior running back Jai'Den "Jet" Thomas scored his 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st career rushing touchdowns, which ranks fifth in program history. He finished with 103 yards on just 11 carries and added three receptions for 24 more yards. It marked his ninth career 100-yard rushing game while his four rushing touchdowns made him just the second Rebel in history to pull off the feat twice in a career, joining former All-American Mike Thomas (1973-74).
 
STAT OF THE GAME:
UNLV scored at least 20 points for the 34th consecutive regular-season game, which leads college football after former leader Memphis failed to reach 20 on Thanksgiving night. The Rebels also surpassed the 30-point mark for a school-record 11th time in 12 games this season.
 
QUOTABLE:
"I'm really proud of our guys for how we came out and played. We wanted to play a great game and I think we did that in every facet except for one - a couple personal fouls and the offsides penalties. Offensively I thought we executed pretty clean. Overall, it's huge to get a rivalry win. I know how big this game is. It's great to keep the Cannon red, great for the city of Las Vegas, for UNLV and alumni to get this win and have the pride that this is our state for another year.
 
"(Jet) did well, had some different runs and explosive runs. You see what having him back healthy (does for us) with his ability to get in the end zone and down by the goal line was pretty special."
-UNLV Head Coach Dan Mullen
 
NOTABLE:
--Colandrea continues to be the only player in the nation to throw a touchdown and rush for at least 15 net yards in every game this season
--His touchdown pass gave him a conference-leading 22 on the year and he added his eighth rushing touchdown of the season
--Jaden Bradley led all receivers with 71 yards on three grabs
--UNLV earned its 11th road win since the start of 2024, which is tied with BYU for the national lead during that span
--UNR still leads the now-annual all-time series 28-23
--This marked the 15th meeting between the Rebs and Pack to end a regular-season
--UNLV won its seventh consecutive trophy game (four straight vs. UNR and three straight vs. Hawai'i)
 
UP NEXT: UNLV will wait to see if it will be playing in the Mountain West Championship game when the league announces Sunday morning which two teams will face each on Friday on FOX.