FSM Recap: UNLV Rebels vs Ohio Bobcats - NCAA Football - Frisco Bowl - 2025 | Rebels Fall to Ohio as Year One of the Dan Mullen Era Comes to a Close

FSM Recap: UNLV Rebels vs Ohio Bobcats – NCAA Football – Frisco Bowl – 2025

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UNLV Rebels (10-4)  |  Ohio Bobcats (9-4)

UNLV Rebels vs Ohio Bobcats – 1st Quarter

UNLV Rebels vs Ohio Bobcats (Frisco, TX) – It was a quiet first quarter to start the 2025 Frisco Bowl. UNLV received the opening kick, but the Rebels’ first drive would stall out at their own 36-yard line. On Ohio’s first play from scrimmage, Bobcats running back Sieh Bangura would cut the Rebels’ defense in half on a 27-yard rush up the middle of the field.

On the ensuing play, Rebels defensive back Laterrance Welch would pick off Ohio quarterback Parker Navarro on a deep pass down the field.

The Rebels returned the favor a few plays later, though, when Rebels quarterback Anthony would cough up the ball on a sack fumble deep in Ohio territory. The Bobcats then crossed midfield, approaching the redzone before a bad snap was recovered by the UNLV defense, gifting the ball back to the Rebels. 

The Rebels’ drive would stall out just past midfield as the scoreless first quarter came to a close with the ball in the hands of the Bobcats’ offense.

UNLV Rebels vs Ohio Bobcats – 2nd Quarter

The Bobcats’ drive continued into the second quarter as they chipped away at the Rebels’ defense, eventually scoring on a 5-yard quarterback keeper from Navarro to break the scoreless stalemate with just over 10 minutes left in the half. Ohio would take a 6-0 lead after a failed PAT from kicker David Dellenbach doinked off the right upright.

The Rebels then embarked on another drive past midfield, but as they approached the Bobcats’ 40-yard line, another drive would stall as a 4th and 5 attempt would come up four yards short on a pass to wide receiver Daejon Reynolds.

Ohio then went three-and-out before the Rebels began chipping away at the Ohio defense again, only to have their efforts nullified when Colandrea was picked off by Ohio safety DJ Walker just shy of the goal line.

With the second quarter now coming to a close, the Bobcats would run out the clock, going into halftime with a 6-0 lead over the Rebels in an ugly first half from the Ford Center in Frisco, TX.

UNLV Rebels vs Ohio Bobcats – 3rd Quarter

The Bobcats started the second half with the football, embarking on a nine-play, 75-yard drive that was eventually capped off by a 23-yard rush from Bangura as he sliced the Rebels’ defense in half once again. To make up for the earlier missed extra point, Ohio would go for two, successfully converting on a pass from Navarro to wide receiver Chase Hendricks, giving Ohio a proper 14-0 lead over UNLV.

The Rebels would finally answer back on the ensuing drive, but not before a muffed punt by Ohio return man JT Haskins gifted them the ball right back, eventually leading to a 50-yard field goal from Ramon Villela to get the Rebels on the board.

Neither team would score again in the third quarter, with duelling three-and-outs on the next two drives and the Bobcats controlling the ball deep in UNLV territory as the 3rd quarter came to a close.

UNLV Rebels vs Ohio Bobcats – 4th Quarter

Ohio’s drive continued into the fourth quarter, but was halted by a Navarro sack from Rebels defensive lineman Cohen Fuller on 3rd and 8, leading to a 45-yard field goal from Dellenbach to give the Bobcats a 17-3 lead over the Rebels.

The Rebels would then embark on a 12-play, 79-yard drive, draining almost six minutes off the clock before Colandrea scored their first touchdown of the game with 4:45 remaining. After a successful PAT to cut the lead to one score, the Rebels would kick the ball off to the Bobcats, and their offense wouldn’t get a chance to tie the game as Ohio held onto the ball and eventually kneelt out the clock.

With the 17-10 victory over the UNLV Rebels, the Ohio Bobcats are now the Frisco Bowl Champions as the first year of the Dan Mullen era in Las Vegas comes to a close.

The UNLV Rebels are now 4-4 all-time in bowl games as year one of the Dan Mullen and Anthony Colandrea era comes to a close. Thank you for visiting FranchiseSportsMedia.com for your Las Vegas Sports news.

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