LAS VEGAS — Jai’Den Thomas scored three touchdowns, the UNLV defense had four interceptions and the Rebels held off Idaho State 38-31 on Saturday in the debut of Dan Mullen as their coach.

After winning 11 games in 2024, UNLV is starting over with only two returning starters and a new coach. Mullen, 103-61 in 13 seasons at Mississippi State and Florida, picked up the 12th season-opening win of his career.

Thomas gained 147 yards on 10 carries and Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea threw for 195 yards to go with 93 yards rushing.

The Rebels trailed 31-24 in the fourth quarter and struggled to put the game away even after their defense intercepted Idaho State's Jordan Cooke on back-to-back drives in the fourth.

After Colandrea's 9-yard touchdown pass to Daejon Reynolds tied it at 31, UN

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