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Colandrea scores on 19-yard TD run with 36 seconds left, lifts undefeated UNLV past Air Force 51-48

UNLV quarterback Anthony Colandrea (10) scores a touchdown in front of Air Force defensive back Roger Jones (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Anthony Colandrea threw for 361 yards, and ran for a 19-yard touchdown with 36 seconds left to give undefeated UNLV a 51-48 victory over Air Force on Saturday for the Rebels' sixth straight win.

Liam Szarka's 9-yard touchdown run with 1:13 left gave Air Force a 48-44 lead with 1:13 remaining. On the ensuing series, Colandrea scrambled to his left and then ran untouched before knocking an Air Force defender into the end zone with him for the go-ahead score. Szarka led the Falcons to the UNLV 23 on their final drive, but Jacob Medina missed a 40-yard field-goal attempt to end it.

Colandrea was 20-of-32 passing that included an 86-yard touchdown throw to Daejon Reynolds early in the third quarter. Colandrea also had a short touchdown run in the first and finished with 62 yards rushing on seven carries.

Reynolds made four catches for 139 yards. Jai’Den Thomas and Keyvone Lee combined for 147 yards rushing on 13 carries with two touchdowns for UNLV (6-0, 2-0 Mountain West Conference).

Szarka completed 10 of 17 passes for 175 yards with a touchdown and added 136 yards rushing on 27 carries and two scores. Owen Allen ran the ball 17 times for 192 yards with two touchdowns for Air Force (1-5, 0-4). Cade Harris also had two touchdown runs for the Falcons.

The teams combined for six lead changes and 42 points in the fourth quarter.

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UNLV running back Jai'Den Thomas (9) is tackled by Air Force defensive back Max Mustell (36) during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
UNLV defensive back Andrew Powdrell (4) prepares to tackle Air Force quarterback Liam Szarka (9) on a quarterback keeper during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Air Force running back Owen Allen (2) celebrates with offensive lineman Nathan Elwood (52) after scoring a touchdown against UNLV during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Air Force running back Owen Allen (2) scores his second touchdown against UNLV during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Air Force running back Owen Allen (2) gets past UNLV defensive back Jake Pope (7) and runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Air Force wide receiver Cade Harris (21) celebrates with tight end Bruin Fleischmann (88) after scoring a touchdown against UNLV during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
UNLV football head coach Dan Mullen calls o players during warmups before an NCAA college football game against Air Force, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)
Air Force quarterback Liam Szarka (9)looks to throw a pass while under pressure from UNLV defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye (30) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Steve Marcus/Las Vegas Sun via AP)