UNLV football falls to Ohio in Frisco Bowl, 17-10

UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) is grabbed by Ohio defensive lineman Evan Herrmann (11) during the second half of the Frisco Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025, in Frisco, Texas. Photo by: LM Otero / Associated Press

The UNLV football team will have to settle for a 10-win season.

The Rebels couldn’t get its offense in rhythm Tuesday night against Ohio in the Frisco Bowl, only totaling 281 yards and not reaching the end zone until the fourth quarter of a 17-10 defeat.

The drive chart tells the entire story: Punt, lost fumble, punt, turnover on downs, interception on the initial five possessions.

Quarterback Anthony Colandrea, the Offensive Player of the Year in the Mountain West conference, completed 19 of 30 passes for 184 yards and no touchdowns. And he rushed for just 28 yards in what was arguably his worst output of the season.

“I didn’t do a good enough job of preparing us for this game,” coach Dan Mullen said. “Our goal was to come out and start fast, so that’s on me and the preparation that I need to have everybody clicking and rolling.”

The Rebels, who were making a third straight bowl trip for the first time in program history, scored their lone touchdown on a 2-yard run from Colandrea with 4:43 remaining on a fourth down play.

UNLV finishes the season with a 10-4 record but on a two-game losing streak — to Ohio and Boise State in the Mountain West championship game.

“We’re going to continue to grow, continue to build and continue to raise that standard of being a program that’s going to compete for championships year in and year out,” Mullen said.

Sieh Bangura rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown for Ohio.