The Idaho State Bengals open their 2025 season under the bright lights of Allegiant Stadium, squaring off with the UNLV Rebels in a much-anticipated Week 0 clash.
Head coach Cody Hawkins, now in his third year at the helm, has quietly moved the Bengals in the right direction. After a tough 3–8 finish in 2023, Idaho State improved to 5–7 last fall and enters this year looking to climb another rung. The Bengals were slotted seventh in the Big Sky preseason poll, but they boast three preseason all-conference standouts: lineman Stryker Rashid, linebacker Nathan Reynolds, and defensive back Mason Young.
The Rebels, meanwhile, come in with momentum after 20 wins and consecutive Mountain West Championship Game appearances over the past two seasons. Former head coach Barry Odom has since moved on to Purdue, leaving new boss Marcus Mullen, known for his offensive acumen, to carry the torch. With only two starters returning, UNLV will lean heavily on a wave of transfers to stay competitive.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch UNLV vs Idaho State NCAAF game, plus plenty more.
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UNLV vs Idaho State: Date and kick-off time
UNLV will take on Idaho State in a highly anticipated NCAAF game on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 4:00 pm ET or 1:00 pm PT, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
| Date | Saturday, August 23, 2025 |
| kick-off Time | 4:00 pm ET or 1:00 pm PT |
| Venue | Allegiant Stadium |
| Location | Las Vegas, Nevada |
How to watch UNLV vs Idaho State on TV & stream live online
- TV channel: Silver State Sports, Mountain West Network
- Streaming service: Fubo
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UNLV vs Idaho State team news
UNLV team news
At quarterback, junior transfer Anthony Colandrea is set to take the reins. The former Virginia starter logged 17 starts in 19 games for the Cavaliers, posting 2,125 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions, while adding nearly 300 rushing yards and two scores.
The Rebels’ ground game will again feature junior Jai’Den Thomas, a Doak Walker Award watch-list selection. Thomas paced the team with 918 rushing yards and seven touchdowns in 2024, following a stellar freshman season with 12 rushing scores.
Idaho State team news
Idaho State turns to junior Jordan Cooke at quarterback. Cooke saw limited action last year before redshirting, but he led the Bengals’ passing attack in 2023 after transferring from Diablo Valley Community College, throwing for 2,453 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Supporting him in the backfield is senior Dason Brooks, the Bengals’ top returning rusher. Brooks averaged an impressive 6.3 yards per carry in 2024, highlighted by a 136-yard, one-touchdown performance against Southern Utah.