OXFORD, Ohio (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV (4-0) scored the final 17 points of the day to win a wild rollercoaster of a road game, 41-38, over Miami University (0-3) and earn its first-ever victory in the Eastern Time Zone in 15 all-time attempts on Saturday afternoon before 12,625 fans at Yager Stadium.  
 
Kicking off at 9 a.m. PT on ESPNU, the Rebels overcame a sluggish start in what was the first-ever meeting of the programs, scoring two quick touchdowns to start the third quarter and tie the game at 24. The RedHawks, however, scored a pair of TDs of their own in unorthodox fashion by taking the kickoff back 100 yards for a score and then later tipping a pass attempt and returning it for a long TD to suddenly regain a 14-point lead.
 
The Rebels, though, were simply unfazed, methodically scoring two touchdowns to tie things and then eventually passing down field to set up Ramon Villela's 23-yard field goal to take the lead with just 15 seconds remaining. Miami would hit one pass and line up for a 57-yard game-tying field goal attempt but after a bad snap, tossed the ball downfield into the awaiting hands of senior linebacker Marsel McDuffie, whose game-sealing interception went with his 10 tackles and a fumble recovery that set up the winning drive after defensive back Jaheem Joseph forced the turnover deep in his team's territory. The RedHawk offense was shut down after halftime, gaining just 89 total yards and scoring only on special teams and defense.
 
With its first-ever win on the road vs. a Mid-American Conference opponent, UNLV extended its Mountain West record streak of defeating non-conference opponents. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea finished with 293 yards passing and two scores while running back Jet Thomas posted 118 rushing yards and a score as one of four different Rebels to find the end zone on offense.  
 
REBEL OF THE GAME:
Safety Aamaris Brown grabbed his nation-leading fourth interception and posted his second pick-six of the season. The senior transfer also added a pass breakup and a tackle. His big play in the second quarter sparked the Rebels after originally falling behind 14-0. He is the sixth player in Mountain West history to record at least one pick in four consecutive games played by his team.
 
STAT OF THE GAME:
Until running the ball to set up for the game-winning field goal, UNLV was 9-for-9 on third-down attempts in the second half. The Rebels finished 12-for-17 on third down.
 
QUOTABLE:
"The best act's the final act it seems like when we're playing. I couldn't be more proud of these guys. We had every reason to point a finger, to start complaining and to lose composure (as coaches and players). I mean, I'm the closest one to losing composure, not them. The coaching staff was as cool as a cucumber. On offense, Miami was not going to let us push the ball down the field all day. Anthony and Coach (Corey) Dennis had a great game plan, making sure we were patient and taking what they gave us. Coach Mike Sollenne did a terrific job with the O-line in the second half, creating the run game, to find the run game and get it going.
 
"Then all of a sudden, on our final drives they decided to play press-man on us and then boom, we immediately switched into scoring touchdowns. Coach (Paul) Guenther and his staff, where we at times looked like the Bad News Bears in the first half with penalties and giving up 300-plus yards, but then nothing in the second half. Talk about the coaching job they did, the players making adjustments and the composure they had. All of a sudden, we come out in the second half, thinking, 'all right, we're going to roll and blow this thing open.' Then 15 seconds later, we're down 14. No one flinched, they just kept doing their job in winning the game."
-UNLV Head Coach Dan Mullen
 
NOTABLE:
-With the win, UNLV started a season 4-0 in back-to-back years for the first time in program history
-UNLV's first-ever game played in the Eastern Time Zone also came against Miami – in 1972 vs. the University of Miami in Florida. The Hurricanes won that one 51-7
-Dan Mullen is the first coach to start his Rebel career 4-0 since Tony Knap in 1976 when UNLV was a Division II program
-Jet Thomas, just a junior, moved into a tie for sixth place on the UNLV career rushing TD list at 24
-UNLV allowed its first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2022 when the RedHawks took one back 100 yards in the third quarter
-On the ensuing possession, UNLV allowed an interception return for a touchdown for the first time since one at San Jose State last season
-By throwing two interceptions, UNLV saw its Mountain West record streak of games committing no more than one turnover in a game snapped at 17 outings
-UNLV has now played seven teams who currently make up the Mid-American Conference and hold an 8-10 mark vs. the league
-This marked the fourth time the Rebels played football in the Buckeye State
-UNLV will return to the state of Ohio in 2025 with a trip to Akron
-Miami is schedule to return the game at Allegiant Stadium on Sept. 18, 2032
 
UP NEXT: After the second of three bye weeks, UNLV will open Mountain West play by traveling to Wyoming on October 4. The game, set for 4 p.m. PT, will be televised by CBS Sports Network. The next Rebel home game is October 11 vs. Air Force at 12:30 pm.