UNLV just straight-up fixed their issues on Saturday, pulling off a 21-6 road win against Hawaii after dropping their Week 0 opener. This wasn’t some lucky break, either. Head coach Dan Mullen made it clear what needed to happen, and his squad absolutely delivered, getting their young 2026 season back on track at 1-1 and kicking off Mountain West play with a W. Talk about responding to a challenge!
They Said Fix It, And UNLV *Fixed* It
Mullen was all over it at Monday’s news conference, even bringing his dog, Wells, who was probably making more friends than most coaches. But Mullen wasn’t there to chat about pups; he was there to praise a team effort that might’ve just saved their season, even if it’s only Labor Day weekend. He told us they had to get into the end zone. They did. He said they needed to find ways to get running back Jet Thomas more involved. Done. And the defense? It had to tighten things up. Yeah, they did that too, big time, with safety Tre Fulton laying the hammer on Hawaii’s DeVon Rice. You can bet that flight back to Las Vegas was sweet, especially with Mullen smiling next to the Golden Pineapple Trophy and a giant chocolate chip cookie. Gotta give credit where it’s due, and while Mullen praised all his coaches, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther probably deserves a shoutout for that stifling performance. Six points allowed? That’s the fewest against Hawaii in the series! What a statement!
Saturday’s Showdown? It’s About Way More Than Just One Win
Now, the Rebels are staring down another lengthy trip, heading to North Texas this Saturday. Mullen is already warning against complacency, and for good reason. North Texas opened their season against the defending national champions, Indiana, and got absolutely walloped 52-16. You know they’re going to be fired up for their home opener, desperate to get to 1-1 themselves. This isn’t just another game for UNLV; it’s about building a resume that’ll matter come December. It’s about growing this program, developing that crucial two-way trust between Mullen, his staff, and the players. Momentum is everything in college football, and if UNLV keeps winning, the community will absolutely show up. Can they keep that fire going on the road? We’re about to find out!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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