Rivalry games usually invite chaos. Cold nights in Reno usually invite mistakes. And Mackay Stadium usually turns weird the second you step off the bus.

UNLV didn’t allow any of it.

The Rebels walked into Reno on Saturday night with the Cannon on the line, a 10th win within reach, and championship hopes still alive, and they played like a team that understood exactly what was at stake. Behind a physical defensive performance, a composed outing from QB Anthony Colandrea, and a rivalry-night masterpiece from Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas, UNLV overpowered Nevada 42-17 to close the regular season 10-2 and keep the Fremont Cannon painted red for the fourth straight year.

Now, the Rebels wait on the Mountain West computers. But the football part? That left zero doubt.

If the Fremont Cannon rivalry needed a new hero chapter, Jet Thomas delivered it.

Thomas put together one of the best rivalry performances by a Rebel in years:

He averaged 9.4 yards per carry, gashed Nevada inside and out, and closed drives with power and patience. His touchdowns, 17, 18, 4, and 1 yards, were the punches that broke the Wolf Pack’s will.

UNLV wanted to run the ball with attitude.

Jet gave them the perfect identity.

Anthony Colandrea’s line was strong:

But the part that mattered was how he operated.

Early in the season, long-yardage downs meant improvisation. Tonight, they meant trust and maturity:

Those are not “scramble mode” plays. Those are quarterback plays: diagnosing leverage, trusting protection, and delivering with anticipation.

That’s the growth Dan Mullen keeps pointing to.

This was UNLV’s offense at full capacity:

Jaden Bradley opened things up with a 48-yard shot. Troy Omeire added a 17-yard touchdown. Earle, Reynolds, and Elksnis all chipped in explosive plays.

UNLV didn’t just move the ball, they dictated terms.

Nevada tried three quarterbacks, misdirection, tempo, and gadget looks.

UNLV swallowed it.

The Rebels held the Wolf Pack to:

They forced Nevada into long-yardage all night except when offside penalties bailed them out. Adeleye, Pope, Powdrell, Joseph, and Borders all delivered impact moments, and Jaheem Joseph’s sack-fumble late in the third quarter set the tone for the closing stretch.

This defense has found its identity at the perfect time.

Up 35-10 in the fourth, UNLV found itself in a 2nd & 17, then 3rd & 18, after a holding call and a negative play. Games usually stall here. Colandrea didn’t. He stepped up and fired a 22-yard dart to Reynolds. Three plays later, Jet scored his fourth touchdown. 42-10. Cannon secured. Season validated.

Dan Mullen’s postgame tone said everything about where UNLV is right now — proud of the identity, frustrated with the details, and fully aware of the championship standard.

On the performance: “I thought it was a great performance. We wanted to play a complete game and outside of one area, we did that.”

On the penalties: “The personal fouls and offsides, those are embarrassing. Those are things we can control. That’s coaching. That’s discipline. And that’s on me.”

On keeping the Cannon: “It’s huge. I know how big this game is. Great for UNLV, great for Vegas, great for our alumni. This is our state for another year.”

On being 10-2: “We’re 10-2. If the only 10-win team in the conference doesn’t play for the title… then there’s a problem.”

On Jet Thomas: “He was fantastic. Explosive, physical, finishing drives. Having him healthy is special.”

On the locker room: “They were fired up. But they want more. Hopefully we’ll get that shot Friday night.”

Reno brought the cold, the chippiness, the rivalry theatrics, and the weirdness. UNLV brought discipline, explosiveness, and an identity built over the past two years.

The Rebels were better. They were faster, deeper, more physical, and more composed.

They finish 10-2.
They keep the Cannon.
They leave Reno with momentum.
And they head into championship weekend still very much alive.

Whether the computers deliver the matchup or not, one thing is already sure: The Fremont Cannon stays red, UNLV made their statement, and the Mountain West felt it.

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