The UNLV Rebels are back home after not having a home game for a month. They return on Homecoming with a 5-0 record as they take on the Air Force Falcons in Week 7. Victorious last time out against the Wyoming Cowboys, UNLV is starting to gain more momentum, and even votes to be a top-25 team nationally. As for the Air Force, the Falcons are struggling mightily, but they will look to play spoiler on the road. Who comes away on top in this Mountain West match-up? Let’s dive in and find out in this UNLV vs. Air Force 2025 game preview.
UNLV Rebels vs. Air Force Falcons: Matchup History
A classic Mountain West matchup dating back to the 1980s, Air Force and UNLV usually light up the scoreboard, and with how the Rebels have played so far in 2025, there’s no reason to think this one will be any different. UNLV is currently averaging 35 points per game, and they take on an Air Force squadron, allowing their opponents to score 37 points per game.
Air Force leads the all-time series 18–7. In their last meeting, UNLV went on the road and pulled out a 31–27 win. But at home, the Rebels haven’t beaten Air Force in Las Vegas since the Sam Boyd Stadium days back in 2012.
It’s Homecoming for UNLV, and head coach Dan Mullen has called for a bigger crowd and a full-throated effort to support the 5-0 Rebels. Air Force comes in looking to play spoiler; they haven’t won a game in over a month and are riding a four-game losing streak.
UNLV vs. Air Force 2025 Preview: Keys and Predictions
Key Players For UNLV
UNLV battled through a rainbow-filled snowstorm in Laramie last week, and while they came out with the win, it was the ground game that carried them in those conditions. Quarterback Anthony Colandrea only completed 11 of 20 passes, but five went to Jayden Bradley, making him this week’s key player for the Rebels.
There’s no secret that Bradley and Colandrea have had a connection since Week 0 in the comeback win over Idaho State. Those two have hooked up for big splash plays all season.
Bradley was outstanding in the hailstorm against Wyoming, putting up 65 yards and hauling in a 27-yard grab. Playing indoors at home on Saturday, he’s set up to be a significant factor to keep that momentum rolling.
Air Force is giving up 312 passing yards per game. Expect Colandrea to hit Bradley on a few of those big shots that flip the field in this matchup.
Key Players for Air Force
The Air Force Falcons are struggling. Usually, Mountain West teams know they’re in for a fight against that dangerous triple option, it’s usually a nightmare to defend. But in 2025, that hasn’t really been the case.
Right now, Air Force feels like a one-man band, and the front man is Liam Szarka. The sophomore quarterback leads the team in rushing with 490 yards and six touchdowns.
Through the air, Szarka has seven touchdown passes and three interceptions. He’s about to face a Rebels defense that will load the box and force an already one-dimensional offense to stay exactly that.
The 2025 Air Force Falcons will go as Szarka goes, which makes him the key player for the Falcons in this match-up.
2025 Game Preview: How UNLV Wins vs. Air Force in Week 7
The Rebels are 5-0, and the Mountain West conference is seemingly becoming more and more within their grasp. Mullen’s squad is even receiving more and more votes among voters to be ranked nationally.
To avoid any sort of collapse at home, on Homecoming, I expect the Rebels to start fast and get ahead on the scoreboard early. UNLV has shown they can slip up in second halves, but with conference play being in full effect, I can see UNLV getting ahead and staying ahead with little cause for concern.
UNLV is off to the best start in program history. Mullen is building a real college football culture in the desert, and a win over Air Force would add another piece to the puzzle as the Rebels look to build their lead in the Mountain West standings.
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