UNLV Stuns Hawaii 38-10 to Keep Mountain West Championship Hopes Alive
Nov, 23 2025
When UNLV took the field at Allegiant Stadium on Friday night, November 21, 2025, they weren’t just playing for pride—they were fighting for a shot at the Mountain West Championship. And with a 38-10 demolition of the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors, they didn’t just win—they sent a message. Anthony Colandrea, the Rebels’ poised quarterback, carved up Hawaii’s defense like a surgeon, throwing for 253 yards and three touchdowns in front of a season-high crowd of 37,106. It wasn’t just offense that won this game. It was discipline. It was pressure. It was a defense that turned a high-powered Hawaiian attack into a sputtering engine.
From Early Spark to Dominant Control
The game started with fireworks. Hawaii’s redshirt freshman QB Micah Alejado, a local product from Bishop Gorman High School in Las Vegas, opened the scoring with a 70-yard bomb to Jackson Harris on just the third play of the game. For a moment, it looked like the Rainbow Warriors might pull off the upset. But UNLV didn’t flinch. Colandrea responded with a methodical 75-yard drive, capped by an 8-yard TD pass to Jaden Bradley. Then, just 1:23 into the second quarter, he hit Taeshaun Lyons on a 72-yard bomb that sent the crowd into a frenzy. By halftime, UNLV led 24-10, having outgained Hawaii 274 yards to 140 and dominated time of possession nearly 2-to-1.The Defense That Broke Hawaii’s Back
What made this win special wasn’t just the scoring—it was the suffocation. Hawaii entered the game averaging nearly 300 passing yards per game. They left with just 163. Alejado, who’d been the engine of one of the most explosive offenses in the Mountain West, was under constant pressure. The Rebels’ defense forced their first turnover of the season midway through the third quarter when linebacker Luther McCoy stripped Keyvone Lee near midfield. That play shifted momentum permanently. Hawaii managed only 91 total yards in the second half. Their offense, which had scored 30+ points in four straight games, was held to its lowest output of the season.The Trophy, The Streak, The Momentum
Winning the Island Showdown Trophy—a gleaming golden pineapple awarded to the winner of this annual rivalry—isn’t just tradition. It’s psychological armor. UNLV now owns it for the third straight year. The Rebels (9-2, 5-2 Mountain West) remain one of just five teams in the conference with two or fewer losses. That’s the magic number. That’s the path to the championship game. Hawaii (7-4, 4-3), on the other hand, is officially out. One loss in conference play would’ve kept them alive. Two? That’s the cliff. And they fell off it Friday night.What’s Next for UNLV? A Final Test in Reno
UNLV’s regular season ends not in Las Vegas, but on the road—at Mackay Stadium in Reno, Nevada, against the Nevada Wolf Pack on November 29, 2025. It’s a bitter rivalry, a bitter cold night, and a game that could make or break their championship hopes. Nevada is 5-6 and playing for pride, but in this conference, pride doesn’t win titles. Wins do. A victory in Reno locks UNLV into the top two. A loss? Suddenly, the Rebels could be watching the championship game on TV.The Mountain West Championship game is scheduled for early December at a neutral site yet to be announced. The winner gets an automatic bid to a New Year’s Six bowl—the kind of game that changes recruiting, boosts budgets, and elevates programs. For UNLV, this isn’t just about finishing strong. It’s about proving they belong among the elite.
Behind the Numbers: Why This Game Mattered
- Colandrea completed 21 of 26 passes (80.8% accuracy), with zero interceptions.- UNLV’s offense had 17 first downs to Hawaii’s 5 in the first half.
- Hawaii’s 231 total yards were their lowest of the 2025 season.
- Taeshaun Lyons (75 yards) and Jai’Den Thomas (61 yards) were Colandrea’s top targets, but he spread the ball to nine different receivers.
- The Rebels allowed just 10 points—the fewest they’ve given up all season.
Barry Odom’s team didn’t just win. They redefined what’s possible for a program that’s spent years chasing respect. Now, they’re one win away from the biggest stage in program history.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does this win affect UNLV’s chances for the Mountain West Championship?
UNLV remains one of only five teams in the Mountain West with two or fewer conference losses, keeping them firmly in the title race. A win over Nevada on November 29 would likely secure them a top-two finish and a spot in the championship game. Even a loss might still be enough if other results go their way—especially if San Diego State or Boise State falter in their final games.
Why was Micah Alejado so limited against UNLV?
UNLV’s defensive line applied consistent pressure, collapsing the pocket before Alejado could find open receivers. The Rebels also played aggressive zone coverage, forcing him into quick throws and short completions. His 163 passing yards were nearly 135 below his season average, and he had no passing touchdowns in the second half.
What’s the significance of the Island Showdown Trophy?
The golden pineapple trophy symbolizes the annual rivalry between UNLV and Hawaii, first contested in 2016. It’s more than a trophy—it’s a bragging right for the winner and a morale boost for the program. UNLV’s third straight win extends their dominance in the series and reinforces their identity as the stronger team in this matchup, especially since Hawaii has struggled to win on the mainland.
Could Hawaii still make a bowl game despite this loss?
Yes. Hawaii is 7-4 overall and likely still bowl-eligible, as teams need six wins to qualify. They’re expected to receive an invitation to a mid-tier bowl like the New Mexico Bowl or the Hawaii Bowl, especially if they win their final non-conference game. But their conference title hopes are over, and the loss to UNLV was a devastating blow to their postseason momentum.
How does this performance compare to UNLV’s previous seasons?
This is UNLV’s best season since 2014, when they went 10-3 and won the Las Vegas Bowl. With nine wins and a chance at the conference title, they’re on pace to finish with their most victories in over a decade. Colandrea’s efficiency and the defense’s improvement—allowing just 10 points here—signal a program on the rise, not just a flash in the pan.
What’s at stake for Nevada in their final game against UNLV?
For Nevada, it’s about pride, recruiting, and ending the season on a high note. The Wolf Pack are 5-6 and out of contention, but beating UNLV would give them their first win over a ranked opponent since 2021 and end a three-game losing streak in the rivalry. It’s also a chance to spoil UNLV’s championship dreams—a sweet revenge for Reno fans who’ve watched the Rebels rise while their own program struggled.