UNLV Edges Air Force 51-48 in Thrilling Week 7 Matchup
UNLV defeated Air Force 51-48 in a high-scoring contest that exceeded the over-under of 65.5 points. The Rebels led 7-6 after the first half before pulling away in the second half.
Air Force quarterback Anthony Colandrea led UNLV's passing attack with 361 yards and connected with Daejon Reynolds for an 86-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Colandrea also found Jai'Den Thomas for a 27-yard first-down conversion in the second quarter. Thomas added a 51-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter to help seal the victory.
Air Force's offense was led by receiver Jonah Dawson, who had 79 receiving yards. Quarterback Liam Szarka completed a 15-yard pass to Kade Frew for a first down late in the game.
The Falcons mounted a furious fourth-quarter rally, outscoring UNLV 20-22 in the final frame, but it proved insufficient. UNLV's defense made critical stops, including a significant play in the third quarter that generated 6.66 EPA. Air Force covered the 7-point spread despite the loss.
AI-generated recap · Aug 9, 2026
| Team | 1Q | 2Q | 3Q | 4Q | Final |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Air Force | 7 | 14 | 7 | 20 | 48 |
 UNLV | 7 | 6 | 16 | 22 | 51 |
Scoring Timeline
Drive Chart
Box Score
| Statistic | Air Force | UNLV |
|---|---|---|
| Passing | 10-17 | 21-33 |
| Pass Yards | 175 | 377 |
| Rush Yards | 428 | 220 |
| Total Yards | 603 | 597 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| 3rd Down | 4-10 | 5-11 |
| Penalties | 7-71 | 9-79 |
| Possession | 36:51 | 23:09 |
Player Leaders
Player Leaders
Play-by-Play
Reagan Tubbs kickoff for 60 yds , Jaylon Glover return for 25 yds to the UNLV 30
Jai'Den Thomas run for 6 yds to the UNLV 36
Anthony Colandrea run for no gain to the UNLV 36
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to Daejon Reynolds
Cameron Brown punt for 42 yds
UNLV Penalty, Face Mask (16 yards) (16 Yards) to the AF 43 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka pass incomplete to Bruin Fleischmann
Kade Frew run for 6 yds to the AF 49
Matt Long run for 6 yds to the UNLV 45 for a 1ST down
Dylan Carson run for 2 yds to the UNLV 43
Liam Szarka run for 4 yds to the UNLV 39
Cade Harris run for 2 yds to the UNLV 37
Liam Szarka pass incomplete to Adam Hrynciw
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to JoJo Earle for 4 yds to the UNLV 41
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to JoJo Earle
(09:18) No Huddle-Shotgun Colandrea,Anthony pass complete deep right to Omeire,Troy caught at USAFA20, for 59 yards to the USAFA00 TOUCHDOWN nullified by penalty, clock 09:08 PENALTY USAFA Roughing The Passer offsetting UNLV Pass Interference offsetting. NO PLAY.
PENALTY UNLV False Start (Bradley,Jaden) 5 yards from UNLV41 to UNLV36. NO PLAY.
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to Nick Elksnis
Cameron Brown punt for 51 yds, fair catch by Cade Harris at the AF 13
Owen Allen run for 6 yds to the AF 19
Liam Szarka run for 6 yds to the AF 25 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka run for 5 yds to the AF 30
Liam Szarka run for 4 yds to the AF 34
Owen Allen run for a loss of 1 yard to the AF 33
Luke Freer punt for 37 yds , DeAngelo Irvin Jr. returns for 2 yds to the UNLV 32
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Jaden Bradley for 56 yds to the AF 12 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea run for 9 yds to the AF 3
Anthony Colandrea run for 3 yds for a TD (Ramon Villela KICK)
Liam Szarka run for 5 yds to the AF 30
Liam Szarka run for 22 yds to the UNLV 48 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka pass complete to Jonah Dawson for 35 yds to the UNLV 13 for a 1ST down UNLV Penalty, Defensive Holding (Yards) declined for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka run for 2 yds to the UNLV 11
Liam Szarka pass incomplete to Bruin Fleischmann
PENALTY UNLV UNR: Unnecessary Roughness (Welch,Laterrance) 6 yards from UNLV11 to UNLV05, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY.
Cade Harris run for 5 yds for a TD (Jacob Medina KICK)
Reagan Tubbs kickoff for 60 yds , Jaylon Glover return for 14 yds to the UNLV 19
Kayden McGee run for 4 yds to the UNLV 23
Keyvone Lee run for 22 yds to the UNLV 45 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to Kayden McGee
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Koy Moore for 22 yds to the AF 33 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Koy Moore for 5 yds to the AF 28
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to Jaden Bradley
Keyvone Lee run for 1 yd to the AF 27
Ramon Villela 45 yd FG GOOD
Liam Szarka run for 10 yds to the AF 40 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka run for 5 yds to the AF 45
Liam Szarka run for 4 yds to the AF 49
(12:06) PENALTY USAFA False Start (Spencer,Gage) 5 yards from USAFA49 to USAFA44. NO PLAY.
Liam Szarka pass complete to Bruin Fleischmann for 18 yds to the UNLV 38 for a 1ST down
Cade Harris run for 2 yds to the UNLV 36
Owen Allen run for 21 yds for a TD (Jacob Medina KICK)
Reagan Tubbs kickoff for 65 yds , Jaylon Glover return for 22 yds to the UNLV 22
Jaylon Glover run for 4 yds to the UNLV 26
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Daejon Reynolds for 19 yds to the UNLV 45 for a 1ST down
UNLV Penalty, Offensive Holding (-10 Yards) to the UNLV 38
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Daejon Reynolds for 7 yds to the UNLV 45
Anthony Colandrea run for 7 yds to the AF 48
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to Taeshaun Lyons
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to DeAngelo Irvin Jr.
Cade Harris run for 13 yds to the UNLV 39 for a 1ST down
Owen Allen run for 1 yd to the UNLV 38
Liam Szarka run for 2 yds to the UNLV 36
Liam Szarka run for 4 yds to the UNLV 32
Liam Szarka run for 4 yds to the UNLV 28 for a 1ST down
Owen Allen run for 28 yds for a TD (Jacob Medina KICK)
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Troy Omeire for 10 yds to the UNLV 35 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to Jai'Den Thomas
Jai'Den Thomas run for 5 yds to the UNLV 40
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Jai'Den Thomas for 27 yds to the AF 33 for a 1ST down
Jai'Den Thomas run for 8 yds to the AF 25
Jai'Den Thomas run for 1 yd to the AF 24
Jai'Den Thomas run for 6 yds to the AF 18 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Jai'Den Thomas for 3 yds to the AF 15
Jai'Den Thomas run for 1 yd to the AF 14
UNLV Penalty, Face Mask (0 yards) (Yards) declined
Ramon Villela 32 yd FG GOOD
Owen Allen run for 15 yds to the AF 40 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka pass incomplete to Cade Harris
End of 2nd Quarter
Kade Frew run for 5 yds to the AF 45
Cade Harris run for a loss of 9 yards to the AF 16 Cade Harris fumbled, recovered by AF Marsel Mcduffie
Jaden Bradley pass complete to Var'Keyes Gumms for 16 yds for a TD (Ramon Villela KICK)
PENALTY UNLV False Start (Reynolds,Daejon) 5 yards from USAFA03 to USAFA08. NO PLAY.
Owen Allen run for 6 yds to the AF 31
(14:19) Harris,Cade rush left for 4 yards gain to the USAFA35 (Borders,Chief) PENALTY USAFA Chop Block (Smith,Brody) 15 yards from USAFA31 to USAFA16. NO PLAY.
Kade Frew run for 3 yds to the AF 19
Cade Harris run for 7 yds to the AF 26
Luke Freer punt for 59 yds , DeAngelo Irvin Jr. returns for no gain to the UNLV 14
Liam Szarka pass complete to Cade Harris for 6 yds to the AF 31
Liam Szarka run for 2 yds to the AF 33
Owen Allen run for 43 yds to the UNLV 24 for a 1ST down
Dylan Carson run for 4 yds to the UNLV 20
Dylan Carson run for 3 yds to the UNLV 17
Liam Szarka pass complete to Bruin Fleischmann for 17 yds for a TD (Jacob Medina KICK)
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Daejon Reynolds for 86 yds for a TD (Two-Point Conversion failed)
Air Force Penalty, (15 Yards) to the UNLV 43 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Jai'Den Thomas for 6 yds to the UNLV 49
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Troy Omeire for 18 yds to the AF 33 for a 1ST down
Jai'Den Thomas run for 5 yds to the AF 28
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Jai'Den Thomas for 2 yds to the AF 26
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Taeshaun Lyons for 18 yds to the AF 8 for a 1ST down Air Force Penalty, (4 Yards) to the AF 4 for a 1ST down
Jai'Den Thomas run for 1 yd to the AF 3
Jai'Den Thomas run for 1 yd to the AF 2
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to Jaden Bradley
Ramon Villela 20 yd FG GOOD
Owen Allen run for 4 yds to the AF 29
Cade Harris run for 10 yds to the AF 39 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka pass complete to Cade Harris for 12 yds to the UNLV 49 for a 1ST down
Kade Frew run for 9 yds to the UNLV 40
Liam Szarka run for 3 yds to the UNLV 37 for a 1ST down
Cade Harris run for 2 yds to the UNLV 35
Liam Szarka pass complete to Jonah Dawson for 21 yds to the UNLV 14 for a 1ST down
Owen Allen run for 11 yds to the UNLV 3 for a 1ST down
Cade Harris run for 2 yds to the UNLV 1
Liam Szarka run for no gain to the UNLV 1
Liam Szarka run for no gain to the UNLV 1
Liam Szarka run for 1 yd for a TD (Two-Point Conversion failed)
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Jaden Bradley for 8 yds to the UNLV 33
Keyvone Lee run for 15 yds to the UNLV 48 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to Jaden Bradley
Keyvone Lee run for 1 yd to the UNLV 49
Anthony Colandrea run for 24 yds for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Var'Keyes Gumms for 14 yds to the AF 13 for a 1ST down
(11:32) Shotgun Colandrea,Anthony pass incomplete short middle to Bradley,Jaden thrown to USAFA00, 1ST DOWN, PENALTY USAFA Pass Interference (Johnson,Korey) 11 yard from USAFA13 to USAFA02, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY.
Keyvone Lee run for 2 yds for a TD (K. Lee Run For Two-point Conversion)
Liam Szarka run for 9 yds to the AF 34
Owen Allen run for 7 yds to the AF 41 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka pass incomplete to Cade Harris
Kade Frew run for 13 yds to the UNLV 46 for a 1ST down
Owen Allen run for 3 yds to the UNLV 43
Cade Harris run for 7 yds to the UNLV 36 for a 1ST down
Owen Allen run for 17 yds to the UNLV 19 for a 1ST down
Owen Allen run for 9 yds to the UNLV 10
Matt Long run for 4 yds to the UNLV 6 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka run for 2 yds to the UNLV 4
Cade Harris run for 4 yds for a TD (Jacob Medina KICK)
Keyvone Lee run for 18 yds to the UNLV 43 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea pass incomplete to JoJo Earle
PENALTY USAFA UNS: Unsportsmanlike Conduct (Johnson,Korey) 16 yards from UNLV43 to USAFA41, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY.
(05:27) Shotgun Thomas,Jai'Den rush middle for 10 yards gain to the USAFA31 (Jones,Roger; Swartz,Aiden) PENALTY UNLV Holding (McGowan,Malik) 10 yards from USAFA41 to UNLV49. NO PLAY.
Jai'Den Thomas run for 51 yds for a TD (Ramon Villela KICK)
Liam Szarka run for 4 yds to the AF 29
Liam Szarka pass complete to Cade Harris for 17 yds to the AF 46 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka run for 5 yds to the UNLV 49
Cade Harris run for no gain to the UNLV 49
Liam Szarka pass incomplete to Cade Harris
Liam Szarka pass complete to Kade Frew for 15 yds to the UNLV 34 for a 1ST down
Owen Allen run for 7 yds to the UNLV 27
Owen Allen run for 13 yds to the UNLV 14 for a 1ST down
Owen Allen run for 2 yds to the UNLV 12
Liam Szarka run for 1 yd to the UNLV 11
(01:25) No Huddle-Shotgun Harris,Cade rush left for 2 yards gain to the UNLV09 (Pope,Jake; Bin-Wahad,Mumu) PENALTY UNLV Face Mask (Bin-Wahad,Mumu) 7 yards from UNLV11 to UNLV04, 1ST DOWN. NO PLAY.
(01:19) PENALTY USAFA False Start (Tate,Trevor) 5 yards from UNLV04 to UNLV09. NO PLAY.
Liam Szarka run for 9 yds for a TD (Jacob Medina KICK)
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Jai'Den Thomas for 6 yds to the UNLV 31
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Daejon Reynolds for 27 yds to the AF 42 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Jai'Den Thomas for 14 yds to the AF 28 for a 1ST down
Anthony Colandrea run for no gain to the AF 28
Anthony Colandrea pass complete to Jaden Bradley for 9 yds to the AF 19
Anthony Colandrea run for 19 yds for a TD (Ramon Villela KICK)
Liam Szarka pass incomplete to Cade Harris
Liam Szarka pass complete to Cade Harris for 11 yds to the AF 36 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka run for 9 yds to the AF 45
Liam Szarka pass complete to Jonah Dawson for 23 yds to the UNLV 32 for a 1ST down
Liam Szarka run for 9 yds to the UNLV 23
Jacob Medina 40 yd FG MISSED