UNLV Survives Frantic Finish, Stuns Memphis 31–28 With Goal Line Stand As Time Expires

Brad Wilson, The Stateline Gazette

MEMPHIS — UNLV didn’t just win Saturday night.The Rebels stole one, held their breath, and then slammed the door shut at the 1-yard line.

In a game that swung violently across all four quarters, UNLV escaped with a 31–28 road victory over Memphis, stuffing the Tigers on the final play as time expired — with Memphis inexplicably leaving a timeout unused.

“We preach situational football every day,” UNLV coach Matt Glovas said. “Goal line, four-down territory, end-of-game chaos — that’s when discipline shows up. Our guys didn’t flinch.”

A game that never settled

The teams traded punches from the opening kickoff. UNLV and Memphis were tied 7–7 after the first quarter, before the Rebels grabbed control behind the poised play of quarterback Anthony Colandrea.

Colandrea was surgical in the first half, guiding UNLV to a 17–14 halftime lead while spreading the ball efficiently and avoiding mistakes. Memphis answered in the third quarter behind Brendon Lewis, whose arm powered the Tigers to a 21–17 advantage heading into the fourth.

Then the game detonated.

UNLV opened the final quarter with a long, clock-draining drive that ended with Colandrea hitting tight end Var’Keyes Gumms on a 23-yard touchdown to reclaim the lead, 24–21.

Memphis responded immediately. Lewis found Jerry Cross streaking down the seam for a 54-yard touchdown, flipping the score back to 28–24 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

But Colandrea never blinked.

With 1:50 remaining, he engineered one more calm, efficient march, finishing it with a 4-yard touchdown pass — again to Gumms — giving UNLV a 31–28 lead.

“Anthony was calm the whole night,” Glovas said. “That’s a hard place to play, and he just kept making the right decision.”

One yard, one play, no second chance

Memphis still had time — and momentum.

Lewis drove the Tigers deep into UNLV territory, completing a pass to Marcello Bussey to reach the Rebels’ 1-yard line with 16 seconds remaining and a timeout still available.

What followed stunned everyone inside the stadium.

Memphis rushed to the line and handed the ball to Sutton Smith. UNLV’s defensive front surged forward and met him at the goal line, stopping him inches short as the clock expired.

Memphis never used its final timeout.

Afterward, Tigers coach John Horak didn’t hide his frustration.

“Thought I had time to run two plays,” Horak said. “Tried to get aggressive and get the win. Lost my head. It’s my own fault.”

Horak added bluntly: “I’ve lost three heartbreakers — literally last play every game. I am so sick.”

Numbers that told the story

UNLV finished with 366 total yards, balancing a physical rushing attack with hyper-efficient passing. The Rebels rushed for 171 yards on 22 carries and went 17-of-18 through the air.

Colandrea delivered one of the cleanest performances of the season, completing 16 of 18 passes for 195 yards and three touchdowns, while adding 54 rushing yards on five carries.

Running back Jai’Den Thomas powered the ground game with 117 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries, helping UNLV control tempo late.

Gumms was Colandrea’s primary target, catching eight passes for 66 yards — all three of his touchdowns coming through the air.

Memphis actually outgained UNLV, finishing with 383 yards, but the imbalance proved costly. The Tigers managed just 23 rushing yards on 10 carries, forcing Lewis to shoulder nearly the entire offensive load.

Lewis was excellent statistically, throwing for 338 yards and four touchdowns on 25-of-29 passing, with Sutton Smith leading all receivers with 13 catches for 67 yards.

Bussey added 119 yards on four receptions, while Cross’s lone catch went for a 54-yard score.

What it means

For UNLV, the victory is a statement road win that reshapes the middle of the Stateline Conference race and pushes the Rebels firmly into postseason conversation.

For Memphis, it’s a devastating loss — not for lack of offense, but for a breakdown in execution when the margin for error disappeared.

Glovas summed it up simply.

“Good game,” he said. “Huge balls on the call.” UNLV 31, Memphis 28

Team Stats

First downs—UNLV 21, Memphis 19.

Total yards—UNLV 366, Memphis 383.

Rushing—UNLV 22-171, Memphis 10-23.

Passing—UNLV 195, Memphis 360.

Comp-Att—UNLV 17-18, Memphis 27-31.

Interceptions—UNLV 1, Memphis 0.

Penalties-yards—UNLV 6-52, Memphis 5-45.

Time of possession—UNLV 32:10, Memphis 27:50.

Passing

UNLV—Colandrea 16-18-195, 3 TD.

Memphis—Lewis 25-29-338, 4 TD, INT; Hill 2-2-22.

Rushing

UNLV—Thomas 17-117, TD; Colandrea 5-54.

Memphis—Smith 9-16; Lewis 1-7.

Receiving

UNLV—Gumms 8-66, 3 TD; Earle 4-74.

Memphis—Smith 13-67; Bussey 4-119; Braham Jr. 4-58, TD; Kluse 3-44, TD; Harding 2-18, TD; Cross 1-54, TD.

Scoring Summary

First Quarter

UNLV—Gumms 6 pass from Colandrea (kick).

Memphis—Braham Jr. 12 pass from Lewis (kick).

Second Quarter

UNLV—Thomas 14 run (kick).

Memphis—Kluse 9 pass from Lewis (kick).

UNLV—Gumms 18 pass from Colandrea (kick).

Third Quarter

Memphis—Harding 7 pass from Lewis (kick).

Fourth Quarter

UNLV—Gumms 23 pass from Colandrea (kick).

Memphis—Cross 54 pass from Lewis (kick).

UNLV—Gumms 4 pass from Colandrea (kick).