UNLV vs Hawaii: Game Night Fever in Sin City

Fans decked in silver and black filled the stands for the thrilling UNLV vs Hawaii matchup. They chanted loudly as the desert chill arrived. This routine Friday night became unforgettable. Every snap could rewrite the season’s script. And it truly delivered.

First Quarter Fireworks: UNLV vs Hawaii Sets the Tone Early

UNLV asserted control quickly. They marched downfield on their opening drive. Kicker Ramon Villela nailed a 44-yard field goal. Then, freshman phenom Anthony Colandrea showed ice in his veins. He led an eight-play, 75-yard drive. Colandrea capped it with an 8-yard strike to Jaden Bradley. This flipped the score to 10-3 in the UNLV vs Hawaii clash.

For more on Colandrea’s breakout season, read our Rebels QB profile. It breaks down his stats before this game.

Second Quarter Surge: Building the Blowout in UNLV vs Hawaii

The second quarter became a clinic for UNLV. However, it started with just four plays. In 1:23 of clock-chewing magic, Colandrea aired a 72-yard touchdown to Taeshaun Lyons. This dagger pushed the lead to 21-3. Next, UNLV kept the pressure on. They grinded a 13-play drive. Keyvone Lee capped it with a 14-yard scamper into the end zone. The score hit 24-7. Meanwhile, Hawaii clawed back slightly. Kansei Matsuzawa booted a 45-yard field goal as time expired Rebels Run Wild. At halftime, it stood at 24-10.

Relive the full play-by-play at the official AP college football hub. Experts break down every drive ther.

Halftime Reflections: Momentum Shifts in the UNLV vs Hawaii Desert Battle

At halftime, momentum favored UNLV clearly. These Mountain West games often hinge on explosive plays. For instance, UNLV’s defense stayed stingy all night. They forced Hawaii’s Alejado into tight pockets. This led to his lone interception. Thus, the Rebels controlled the UNLV vs Hawaii narrative.

Dive into MWC standings with our conference analysis. We update it after every key matchup.

Fourth Quarter Seal: No Comebacks in UNLV vs Hawaii

After the break, UNLV sensed victory. They launched an eight-play, 85-yard drive right away. Colandrea ended it with a 1-yard flip to Daejon Reynolds. The score ballooned to 31-10. Later, Colandrea finished strong: 21-of-26 for 253 yards and three scores. No picks marred his night. Finally, JoJo Earle sealed it with a game-changing touchdown .

Looking Ahead: Stakes After UNLV vs Hawaii Victory

This win boosts UNLV to 9-2 Rebels Run Wild overall, 5-2 in MWC. They head to Reno on November 29 for the Battle for Nevada against rivals Nevada. A victory could punch their ticket to the conference title. Meanwhile, Hawaii sits at 7-4, 4-3. They host Wyoming that day. But they need a miracle for postseason hopes.

What a cap to the regular season stretch. Pure Rebels magic in this UNLV vs Hawaii thriller. What’s your take on Colandrea’s future? Share in the comments.