Game notes
- Time and date: Saturday, September 20 at 12:00 p.m. ET
- Network: ESPNU
- Location: Yager Stadium — Oxford, OH
- Spread: UNLV (-2.5)
- Over/under: 50.5
- All-time series: No previous matchups
Setting the scene
Yager Stadium opens its gates for the first time since 2025. The Miami (OH) RedHawks (0-2, 0-0 MAC) are one of 11 FBS teams still searching for a win, and they’ll face the UNLV Rebels (3-0, 0-0 Mountain West) which already racked up three victories by the conclusion of Week 2.
Miami looks to avoid a second-straight 0-3 start against a UNLV squad aiming for its second consecutive 4-0 start. It’s the first-ever matchup between the MAC and Mountain West opponents.
UNLV Rebels outlook
UNLV brought in a new head coach in Dan
Mullen and a litany of experienced transfers, yet the Rebels are still winning at a similar rate as last year’s Mountain West runner-up team. This will be a rare trip to the Eastern Time Zone where UNLV is 0-12 since joining the FBS in 1978.
The Rebels are led by a fearless playmaking quarterback in Anthony Colandrea, a Virginia transfer who operates with a high-risk, high-reward approach. So far, he’s been getting rewarded for his play, firing 647 yards, six touchdowns, and one interception on a 75.4 completion rate. He offers plenty with his legs too with 175 yards in three games, and he’ll have full command of the offense with Week 1 co-starter Alex Orji out for the remainder of the season.
UNLV’s offense is filled with explosiveness throughout. Jai’Den Thomas averages 8.4 yards per carry and is good for a breakaway run several times per game with his blazing speed. Another skill position savant is Jaden Bradley, a deep threat with more than double the receptions (13) and more than triple the yardage (262) of the next closest Rebel. Both Thomas and Bradley regularly generate 20+ yard pickups for an offense which is the undoubted strength of this team.
Defensively, there’s more to be polished. UNLV allowed 555 total yards to FCS Idaho State, including 395 through the air, in a tumultuous Week 0. The unit has shown steady improvement since, limiting UCLA to zero points through the first 29 minutes and 56 seconds of action in its last outing. Still, the Rebels are 123rd in passing defense and 100th in rushing defense, and the defense let loose in the second half after strong starts vs. Sam Houston and UCLA.
Cornerback Aamaris Brown is tied for the FBS lead in interceptions with three (and he has two sacks), and he’s one ballhawk hoping to provide stops in the form of turnovers. Takeaways have been the defense’s saving grace, as UNLV is tied for second in the FBS in interceptions and tied for sixth in turnovers gained as a whole. Another name to watch on that side of the ball is inside backer Marsel McDuffie, who looks to suffocate the run after posting 19 tackles, one tackle for loss, and one interception in the first quarter of the regular season.
Miami (OH) RedHawks outlook
Miami isn’t in completely uncharted territory at 0-2. Last year’s RedHawks began 0-3 yet turned around their season to qualify for the MAC Championship Game. Chuck Martin’s program traditionally struggled in non-conference games, going from 2011 to 2022 without a single FBS non-conference victory in the regular season. However, Miami has four since 2022, demonstrating a tremendous sign of growth.
The RedHawks produced 20 victories and two MAC title game appearances in the past two years, but Martin is working with a completely refurbished group. Miami returned zero starters on offense. However, longtime Toledo starter and former MAC MVP Dequan Finn takes the quarterback reins. So far it hasn’t been a seamless transition for the seventh-year senior, totaling 334 passing yards, zero touchdowns, and three interceptions. But Finn has thrived in the run game, and that could be the component Miami needs to jump-start its offense.
The RedHawks were shut out at Wisconsin and managed 17 points at Rutgers, so the unit is in need of something favorable. So far it’s been tough-sledding for the running backs which combine for 53 yards on 21 rushing attempts — operating behind an offensive line replacing all five guys from a year ago. Two promising breakout players on offense are wide receivers Kam Perry and Keith Reynolds. Both are over 100 yards through two games, providing occasional explosive plays the RedHawks will need going forward.
Defense has always been the strength of Martin’s Miami teams, and this year is no exception. The Rutgers game got out of hand late, but the RedHawks trailed 24-17 in the middle of the third quarter. Plenty of quality footage was put on film vs. Wisconsin though, as the Badgers didn’t manage their first touchdown until the waning minutes of the third quarter.
The greatest asset on Miami’s defense is its safety tandem of All-MAC selection Eli Blakey and Silas Walters. They rank one and two in tackles this year, and Walters has a sack, an interception, and two pass breakups to his name. Elsewhere on the unit, edge rusher Adam Trick is a rising star as the team’s lead pass rusher, exhibiting 12 tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks this season. But that pressure needs to lead to turnovers. Miami is currently a -2 in the turnover battle this season, with the defense not fully compensating for the offense’s early struggles.
Prediction
This game comes down to how well Miami can counter UNLV’s offense. A lower-scoring game greatly benefits the RedHawks, but their offense hasn’t shown the ability to go punch-for-punch with Anthony Colandrea, Jai’Den Thomas, and crew. UNLV is explosive and can score from anywhere on the field, and this will be quite a challenge for even a sturdy RedHawk defense.
UNLV’s defensive lapses could lead to Dequan Finn and the Miami offense gaining much-needed confidence. Miami stays close for a while, but unless the non-QB run game excels, the offense won’t have the firepower to outlast Dan Mullen’s team in Oxford.
Prediction: UNLV 28, Miami (OH) 16
