UNLV football stays perfect: Colandrea's last-minute heroics sink Air Force 51-48

UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scores a touchdown in front of Air Force defensive back Roger Jones (5) during the first half of an NCAA football game at Allegiant Stadium Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025. Photo by: Steve Marcus

The UNLV football team has secured bowl eligibility for the third consecutive season — a first in program history.

Anthony Colandrea threw for 361 yards and sealed the victory with a 19-yard rushing touchdown with 36 seconds remaining, lifting undefeated UNLV to a 51-48 win over Air Force on Saturday. The victory marked the Rebels’ sixth consecutive win and ensured their bowl streak will continue.

But the milestone didn’t come easy.

The teams traded six lead changes and combined for 42 points in a wild fourth quarter, while UNLV’s defense struggled to contain Air Force’s ground game, surrendering more than 400 rushing yards.

“Heck of a team win. So proud of our team,” UNLV coach Dan Mullen said. “I want to give Air Force a lot of credit. That’s a really good football team. ...It was a back-and-forth game and could have gone either way. Heck of a football game. But so proud of our guys.”

Liam Szarka’s 9-yard touchdown run gave Air Force a 48-44 lead with 1:13 remaining. On the ensuing drive, Colandrea scrambled left and found open field, racing untouched before dragging an Air Force defender into the end zone with him for the go-ahead score.

Air Force still had one final chance. Szarka drove the Falcons to the UNLV 23-yard line, but Jacob Medina’s 40-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide, preserving the Rebels’ perfect season.

Colandrea finished 20-of-32 passing, highlighted by an 86-yard touchdown strike to Daejon Reynolds early in the third quarter. He also rushed for 62 yards on seven carries, including a short touchdown run in the first quarter.

Reynolds caught four passes for 139 yards, while Jai’Den Thomas and Keyvone Lee combined for 147 yards rushing on 13 carries with two touchdowns for UNLV (6-0, 2-0 Mountain West).

Szarka rushed for 136 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, while Owen Allen ran the ball 17 times for 192 yards with two touchdowns for Air Force (1-5, 0-4). Cade Harris also had two touchdown runs for the Falcons.

“We knew they were an explosive offense and that we were going to have to score,” Mullen said.

The game featured 11 lead changes total, giving UNLV yet another come-from-behind victory. Whether erasing a 14-point second-half deficit at Miami (Ohio) or fighting off Idaho State and UCLA at home, the Rebels have repeatedly found ways to win in the fourth quarter.

That resilience will be tested again next week when UNLV travels to Boise State in arguably the biggest game of the season. The Rebels have fallen to the Broncos in the last two Mountain West championship games.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.