Bearkat Bites: Way-Too-Early Game Preview vs. UNLV
The season preview rolls on with the first of Sam Houston's two Mountain West opponents
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Our game-by-game breakdown of Sam Houston’s 2025 opponents continues with my favorite non-Texas game on the slate. Let’s head to Sin City and get to know the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels.
For those who missed it, you can read all about Sam Houston’s first opponent here.
The Opponent
UNLV Runnin’ Rebels
2024 Record
(11-3, 6-2 in Mountain West)
The Coach
Dan Mullen, who enters his first year in Las Vegas. Here’s hoping the Rebels can find the money for the final three year’s of Mullens’ contract.
The Quarterback
College football fans remember the odyssey of former UNLV signal-caller Matthew Sluka, who left the team in the middle of the year over a financial dispute. He’s moved on to James Madison since then, and his replacement, Hajj Malik-Williams is still in Vegas….as an undrafted free agent of the Raiders.
In step a unique mix of hopeful QBs, most interesting of which, are Anthony Calondrea and Alex Orji. Calondrea was Mullen’s first transfer portal signing out of Virginia, while Orji had a lukewarm season at Michigan. Calondrea is more traditional pocket passer, completing over 60% of his passes during his two years at UVA, while Orji is the dual threat master. Mullen has said they will tailor the offense to whomever wins the starting job, so this is a battle to watch during the fall.
Offseason Guide
After a surprising season that saw them reach the Mountain West Conference Title against Boise St., UNLV head coach Barry Odom departed for the greener pastures of the Big Ten, as he took the Purdue job. In steps Dan Mullen, who brings a wealth of SEC experience with head coaching stops at Mississippi St. and Florida.
And the Rebels will lean all the way on that P4 experience, as they lost pretty much all of their major contributors from 2024. That includes the likes of WR Ricky White and LB Jackson Woodard who are on NFL rosters with the Seahawks and Texans, respectively. Combine that all new faces along the offensive line, and you’ve got plenty of questions.
It’s not all doom and gloom in Vegas, however, as the Rebels welcome back rusher Jai’Den Thomas, who ran for 918 yards and 7 TDs a season ago. Former Tulsa QB/passing game coach, Corey Dennis, is here as the offensive coordinator.
Defensively will probably be the toughest nut to crack on this roster. Former Mississippi State head coach Zach Arnett (who did not overlap with Mullen) had signed on as the school’s defensive coordinator, but he departed UNLV for personal reasons. In his place is Paul Guenther, who served as defensive run game coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys last year. They’ll have a few pieces to work with, after signing an array of P4 guys to that side of the ball.
Who Will Beat Who?
This will be Sam Houston’s home opener and a battle between two head coaches in year one with their programs. UNLV lost a lot from 2024 but so did the Bearkats. Both teams will be breaking in new guys, and both teams will show the growing pains that come with that. Even with that said, I think the quality of UNLV’s new look roster is better than Sam Houston’s. I give the Rebs the edge in this one.
Nichols State Added to Conference Schedule
Say whaaaaat?! An FCS opponent added to Sam Houston’s schedule? Believe it, as Nichols State was added to the 2026 campaign.
This addition does not help the argument that Sam Houston can no longer play SFA due to “the risks that come with losing that game”, as Nichols State has had similar records as Stephen F. Austin. The only difference is, more fans in the East Texas region would care more about a Piney Woods rivalry than a game against the boys from southeast Louisiana (PLAY STEPHEN F AUSTIN, I WILL NOT BE SILENCED!).
At any rate, the 2026 schedule is now to Sam Houston’s liking; with 2 G5 games, a P4 game, and an FCS game.
Another Kicker Joins the ‘Kats
Add another kicker to the mix in Huntsville, as Nebraska’s Nico Ottomanelli has transferred in to Sam Houston. He was a walk on at Nebraska and never saw time on the field. With the roster limits to college football looming, Ottomanelli likely felt his time was up in Lincoln and was in search of a fresh start. He will get his shot in a Sam Houston kicker room that now includes last season’s kicker, Christian Pavon, transfers from two Big Ten schools and an a freshman from The Woodlands HS. Fun stuff!
And……with the loss of Jaden Cardell, look for Ottomanelli to try his hand at punter as well, where he has also shown promise.