This year’s Frisco Bowl is going to be a fun one! Between Ohio going through some interesting coaching changes and UNLV completing what could be considered a slightly disappointing season, there are plenty of reasons to tune in. The Bobcats recently parted ways with their first-year head coach, Brian Smith, for what the University described as “engaging in serious professional misconduct and participating in activities that reflect unfavorably” on the school. As a result, John Hauser has taken over as the interim head coach. UNLV, meanwhile, is finishing off the first year of the Dan Mullen era after losing its own coach to Purdue last year.
Let’s grab some Scooter’s Coffee and take a look!
2025 Frisco Bowl: UNLV Draws Ohio
UNLV put together a fairly impressive season this year. After falling in the Mountain West Championship, the Rebels beat Cal in the LA Bowl, ushering in high expectations for Mullen’s first season. For the most part, the team has responded. UNLV started the year with six straight wins with an average margin of victory of eight-and-a-half points. Then, it dropped back-to-back Mountain West Conference games to Boise State and New Mexico. Like last year, the Rebels won out to earn a spot in the MWC Championship Game to face Boise State again. Then, again, the Broncos got the better of UNLV in their final MWC matchup.
UNLV is in its seventh bowl in program history, and this is its first Frisco Bowl.
Meanwhile, Ohio had to break in a new coach after winning the MAC for the first time since 1968. The season started well, with a narrow loss to Rutgers and an upset win at West Virginia. Then, the Bobcats ran into the Buckeyes. They kept it respectable and even made it a four-point game in the second half, but fell 37-9. Ohio took care of business against Bowling Green, but was upset by four-win Ball State. It ran through the rest of the MAC schedule but was then tripped up by the eventual MAC Champions, Western Michigan. Despite being one of three teams with two conference losses, the Bobcats did not have an opportunity to defend their crown.
This is the second Frisco Bowl in Ohio history. The first was in 2018 as the Bobcats shut out San Diego State, 27-0. Ohio is also riding a six-game win streak in bowl games.
These two teams have only faced off once before this, a 26-18 UNLV win in 1988.
Tracking Opt-Outs and Transfers
Quite possibly the craziest storyline of this year’s Frisco Bowl is the fact that there are no opt-outs or transfers for either team. Both of these teams should be mostly at full strength.
When Ohio Has the Ball
The Bobcats are a run-first offense. Whether it’s a designed run from a back or if it’s a quarterback keeper, Ohio loves to keep the ball on the ground. The offense is led by running back Sieh Bangura, the senior Prodigal Son. Bangura was a star for the Bobcats in 2022 and 2023 before transferring to Minnesota. After not being able to make any impact, he returned to Athens and had a career year. He led the MAC with 1,243 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 222 carries. Right behind him is quarterback Parker Navarro and his 839 yards and eight touchdowns. Through the air, he’s thrown for 2,232 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Of those, 950 yards and seven touchdowns went in the direction of Chase Hendricks.
Offensively, Ohio ranks ninth in rushing, 34th in total offense, 60th in scoring, and 106th in passing.
On the other side of the ball, this smells like a game in which Marsel McDuffie can take over. The senior linebacker has been a force for the Rebels this year. He comes into Frisco with 103 tackles, five-and-a-half tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and a pair of fumble recoveries. With Ohio’s run-first approach, McDuffie will have his opportunities to take over. In the secondary, UNLV has two players with four interceptions. One of those, Aamaris Brown, returned two for touchdowns.
The UNLV defense has struggled this year. Out of 136 FBS programs, the Rebels’ scoring defense is ranked 92nd, its rushing defense is 102nd, its passing defense is 118th, and its total defense is 122nd. This could be a high-scoring affair.
When UNLV Has the Ball
The Rebels have a star at quarterback. Anthony Colandrea transferred in from Virginia after back-to-back 13-touchdown seasons. This year, he topped the MWC leaderboards with 3,275 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year has thrown for at least one touchdown in every game while completing 66.1% of his passes. Plus, he does what he can without one single dominant player. He has completed 10 passes to 11 different players, led by Jaden Bradley.
Running back Jai’Den Thomas is a tricky one to bring down. This season, he has 985 yards and 12 touchdowns on 137 carries. Plus, Colandrea has carried the ball 118 times for 621 yards and nine touchdowns.
Mullen’s offense has been solid this year. The Rebels come into this one ranked 15th in scoring, 16th in total offense, 19th in rushing, and 36th in passing.
Ohio has an interesting statistical anomaly on defense: its two leading tacklers are safeties. Jalen Thomeson and Adonis Williams Jr. have been everywhere for the Bobcats this year. The pair has notched 80 and 75 tackles, respectively. Overall, however, it hasn’t been to the standard Ohio has expected. Across the three All-MAC teams, only Jay Crable (second-team) and Tank Pearson (third-team) earned any recognition. Pearson leads the way at corner, with a pair of interceptions and 12 pass breakups, while Crable has eight tackles for loss and six sacks on the defensive line.
As a unit, the Bobcat defense is ranked 50th in scoring defense, 51st in passing defense, 58th in total defense, and 67th in rushing defense. This certainly is not quite as good as last year’s unit, that’s for sure.
Last Word on the Frisco Bowl
This could be an exciting affair. Both teams possess solid offenses, while neither has been very impressive on offense. It’s going to be a battle of dual-threat quarterbacks with Navarro and Colandrea. How will either defense respond to the added confusion of these two’s legs?
Whatever the over/under is, the best bet might be to hit the over.
Bottom Line on the Frisco Bowl
Where: Ford Center at the Star, Frisco, Texas
History: UNLV leads all-time series, 1-0
Last Matchup: UNLB won, 26-18 in 1989
Date and Time: December 23, 9:00 p.m. EST
How to Watch: ESPN
Spread: UNLV -6.5; O/U 65.5 (via FanDuel)
Main Image: Scooter’s Coffee; Frisco Bowl
