It’s a make-or-break season for coach Dan Mullen and the UNLV Rebels, with the Mountain West crown and a potential College Football Playoff run in their sights.
The spotlight was on the quarterback duel between Alex Orji and Anthony Colandrea all offseason. Now, the wait is over. The Rebels have made their choice, at least for Saturday’s opener.
Dan Mullen Doubles Down on Quarterbacks As UNLV Kicks Off Season
With Hajj-Malik Williams graduating, UNLV faced a void at quarterback. New coach Mullen wasted no time reshaping the depth chart. He brought in two top transfers: Orji from Michigan and Colandrea from Virginia.
Though the two bonded quickly, the competition for the starting job was real. With the Rebels set to open against Idaho State on Aug. 23, Mullen had to make a call. On Tuesday’s McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning, he confirmed that Orji and Colandrea will both take snaps in Week 0.
“Both guys will play game one for us, for sure!” @unlvfootball head coach @CoachDanMullen on transfer QBs Anthony Colandrea and Alex Orji seeing the field in week 0 matchup vs @BengalGridiron https://t.co/QtiEZH5VdJ pic.twitter.com/zAn47Y5Kbf
— McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning (@macandcube) August 19, 2025
“Both guys will play in Game 1 for us, for sure,” Mullen said. “You know, and it’s a long season, but I want to make sure on game day too, I want to see what I’ve seen in practice be answered on the field, in a game, and see how people respond to that.”
It’s uncommon to open a season planning to play multiple quarterbacks, but that’s exactly what UNLV is doing. It signals neither made a strong enough case for Mullen to name a definitive starter. Still, the Week 0 matchup against Idaho State offers a low-risk chance to evaluate both QBs in live action, especially against a team UNLV is favored to beat.
If the decision were based purely on stats, Colandrea would likely get the nod. In two seasons at Virginia, he started 17 of 19 games, threw for 4,083 yards and 26 touchdowns, and completed 62.6 percent of his passes. He also added 502 rushing yards and two scores on the ground, averaging nearly 215 passing yards per game.
His standout freshman season earned him honorable mention on College Football Network’s Freshman All-America Team in 2023, and he set Virginia freshman records for completions, passing yards, and total offense. His 1,958 passing yards were the most of any true freshman quarterback in the Power Five that year.
Orji’s résumé is less decorated but still promising. He appeared in 20 games for Michigan and started three in 2024. He completed 26 of 48 passes for 155 yards, with three touchdowns and two interceptions, while contributing 392 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground.
Despite the statistical gap, Mullen’s decision seems to hinge more on what he’s seen in practice than on paper. UNLV enters the season with optimism and a clean slate. Mullen has a revamped roster, fewer returning starters, and plenty of open roles. There’s no better way to sort things out than a Week 0 test against Idaho State.
The Rebels may hit a few bumps early as the new group finds its rhythm. However, Idaho State is a familiar opponent. UNLV has faced the Bengals 10 times and leads the series 7-2. That history, combined with the talent infusion and Mullen’s fresh approach, sets the stage for a revealing season opener.
