Mullen ‘keeping everyone on their toes’ with UNLV’s plans at QB

One key question for UNLV’s football team this season is who will play quarterback between juniors Anthony Colandrea and Alex Orji.

The Rebels have an answer, at least for Saturday’s season opener against Idaho State.

Both.

Coach Dan Mullen said Monday that Colandrea and Orji will each see the field when UNLV hosts the Bengals at Allegiant Stadium. He didn’t say who would get the first snap. He’s said since taking over the Rebels in December that earning reps in practice is far more important than who starts a game.

“It’s Monday,” Mullen said. “I want to see how we practice this week and how the plan goes. I don’t know what we’re calling on the first play of the game so I don’t know who will be in there the first play. Hopefully they’re both healthy and if they are, they’ll both play.

“Maybe both (start). Just keeping everyone on their toes just to annoy everybody. I might sneak in there. I think I have one year of eligibility.”

Excited for kickoff

Saturday will be fans’ first look at Mullen’s spread offense.

Transfers Colandrea (Virginia) and Orji (Michigan) have different skill sets, which means UNLV will call plays that highlights each one’s strengths.

“Every year, (the offense) is going to be built around the personnel,” Mullen said. “Put guys in the best position for what they do. We have a pretty good feel for what they can do.

“Some years in the past, (my teams) led the league in rushing. Some years, we led the league in passing. Some years, we led the league in time of possession and maybe only scored in the high 20s. Some years, we scored over 40 a game. You just have to work as a team.”

Mullen said offensive coordinator Corey Dennis will call plays, but Mullen will have input.

It’s been a few years since Mullen planned for a game week as coach. His final season at Florida was in 2021. It has him as excited as anyone.

“I’m fired up,” Mullen said. “You’re looking at 25 training camp practices and 15 spring practices. We’ve gone against each other for a long time. I think they’re excited to go against somebody else. That’s the excitement part. We’re going to have some fun.”

One thing Mullen hopes to do is enhance the atmosphere inside Allegiant Stadium. He said that begins with the student body. He was scheduled to speak to a group of freshmen Monday.

“Everywhere I’ve been and coached, the students set the atmosphere,” Mullen said. “Looking at our band and students, they set it. I know our fan base will feed off it. It has happened everywhere I’ve been.

“I have pretty high expectations. I hope our team has high expectations. I hope our student body has high expectations to be involved with championship football and high level football and to go experience that.”

Mullen said the level of competition in camp has reached his expectations but perhaps not exceeded them. He hopes all those practices built depth at a number of different positions.

Mullen is correct about one thing: His players have grown tired of seeing each other across the line of scrimmage.

Rebels big favorite

“I know we’re all excited to finally hit someone in a different jersey,” junior safety Jake Pope said. “We’ve been working really hard and finished up spring and summer really well. We’re making good progress here in the fall. Can’t wait to get out there on Saturday and hit them.”

The Rebels are a 26-point favorite Saturday against Idaho State, which finished 5-7 last season.

They’re expected to win and win big in Mullen’s debut.

“I’m excited to watch these guys play as a coach, and we’ve worked hard to put them in a good position to go out on the field and make plays,” Mullen said. “People say, ‘Hey coach, how are we looking? Are we good?’ I’ve only seen us go against each other. Hopefully, we have the guys prepared to let them go out and have fun and see what they can do. … It’s game week. Let’s go.”

Contact Ed Graney at egraney@reviewjournal.com. Follow @edgraney on X.