UNLV learns harsh lessons about itself after 56-31 loss to Boise State

BOISE, Idaho—Superman has kryptonite, Achilles has his heel, and the UNLV Rebels have the Boise State Broncos.

In a rematch of last year’s Mountain West Championship game, the Broncos emerged victorious once again in convincing fashion, defeating the Rebels 56-31 at Albertson’s Stadium on Saturday.

The game was close throughout the first half, with UNLV doing their best to keep pace with Boise State and getting within four points after 30 minutes. However, the second half tilted entirely in the Broncos’ favor, dropping 28 unanswered points to turn a shootout into a blowout.

“We got the stop to start the second half and got the ball for an opportunity to take the lead. In big games you have to make those plays to go do that and too many mistakes can catch up to us. We've been talking about how we've been finding ways to win, even though we haven't played exceptionally well at times. And today, you make those mistakes against a really good football team it catches up to you,” said Rebels head coach Dan Mullen.

The Broncos are now 7-0 at home against the Rebels, and the result has been the same for the past 50 years every time the programs have matched up.

Over the past few years, the Rebels have gone from FCS upset-prone doormat to a Group of Five powerhouse in the making. The arrivals of head coach Barry Odom and now Mullen have completely turned the program around, breaking barriers that were once considered bulletproof.

Just in the past three years alone, the Rebels have finished in the AP poll for the first time in program history (23rd in the nation in 2024), made back-to-back bowl games for the first time in 2023 and 2024, and broke a 15-year drought in the NFL Draft when wide receiver Ricky White III was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the seventh round back in April.

As amazing as the progress has been to witness, this season has made it clear that the work to build a contender is far from over.

The defensive inconsistencies were present far too often against Boise State, but they have been a prevalent theme throughout the year for the Rebels. Think back to the season opener against the Idaho State Bengals, which turned into an unexpected barnburner that the Rebels escaped from with a 38-31 victory. It was ultimately a prelude of things to come for UNLV in the first year of the Mullen era, with the Rebels surviving close games against Miami (Ohio) and Air Force to head into Boise unbeaten.

The loss against Boise State did not just feel like running into the same wall again; it was a grim reminder to UNLV that good fortune does not last forever. Needless to say, when the Broncos leave the Mountain West for the rebuilding Pac-12 in July, the Rebels will be more than happy to see them go. 

However, UNLV cannot simply be content with conference supremacy, as the College Football Playoff has been in their sights both this and last season only for their hopes to be dashed. They have players such as quarterback Anthony Colandrea and running back Jai’Den Thomas that have shown they can produce for a playoff contender, but the past month or so has shown that there is still work to be done to reach the next level.

UNLV has come such a long way in such a short amount of time, but Boise State showed just how far there is left to go.