Anthony Colandrea Continues To Rack Up Awards

The Anthony Colandrea era at UNLV is already rewriting the record books. The sophomore quarterback has been named the Old Trapper Mountain West Offensive Player of the Week for the second straight week, making him the first UNLV quarterback ever to win the award multiple times in a single season.

Only two other Rebels signal-callers  Omar Clayton (2008, 2009) and Jason Thomas (2000, 2002) had even managed to win the honor twice in their entire careers. Colandrea matched that feat just two weeks into his UNLV journey.

Star Performance vs. UCLA

Colandrea earned the award after leading the Rebels to a statement win over Big Ten foe UCLA. He went 15-of-21 for 203 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 59 rushing yards on 11 carries.

The 30–23 victory improved UNLV to 3-0, handed the Bruins an upset loss, and gave the Mountain West a significant credibility boost on the national stage.

Bigger Implications

With bowl eligibility set at six wins, the Rebels are already halfway there before hitting their Week 3 bye. Even more, the UCLA win keeps UNLV in early discussions for a potential Group of Six (G6) bid to the College Football Playoff should they continue their unbeaten run.

Colandrea has clearly established himself as the undisputed QB1, with transfer portal addition Alex Orji previously working situationally before his season-ending injury. Colandrea’s dual-threat ability alongside star running back Jai’Den Thomas gives the Rebels one of the Mountain West’s most dangerous backfields.

What’s Next

UNLV returns to action on Sept. 20, traveling to face the Miami (Ohio) RedHawks, who sit at 0-2 after losses to Wisconsin and Rutgers. With Colandrea building chemistry in an offense full of transfer portal talent, the ceiling for the Rebels only gets higher.

If he continues this pace, Colandrea could turn weekly Mountain West honors into a regular occurrence  and put UNLV firmly in the national spotlight.