In a stunning defensive battle at the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl on December 23, 2025, the Ohio Bobcats shocked the favored UNLV Rebels with a 17-10 victory at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, Texas. Despite entering as 6.5-point underdogs and dealing with coaching turmoil, Ohio extended their active bowl winning streak to seven games—the second-longest in FBS history—while handing UNLV a disappointing end to their 10-win campaign.
The game lived up to its low-scoring billing, with both defenses dominating in a gritty, physical contest that flew well under the lofty 65.5-point total. Ohio’s opportunistic play and ground control proved decisive against a UNLV offense that struggled to find rhythm.
Game Breakdown
The first half was a defensive slog, ending with Ohio holding a slim lead thanks to field goals and opportunistic scoring. The Bobcats struck first in the second quarter, capitalizing on a UNLV turnover to take a 6-0 advantage into halftime.
The third quarter saw Ohio extend the lead to 14-3 with a touchdown drive fueled by their strong rushing attack. UNLV finally got on the board late in the period but couldn’t mount sustained drives against Ohio’s stout front.
In the fourth quarter, the Rebels narrowed it to 14-10 with a score, but Ohio responded with a crucial field goal and sealed the win with a late interception. Time of possession heavily favored the Bobcats, who controlled the clock and limited UNLV’s explosive plays.
Key stats:
- Total yards: Ohio edged UNLV despite lower expectations.
- Turnovers: Ohio forced multiple, swinging momentum.
- Rushing: Ohio’s ground game wore down the Rebels’ defense.
Standout Performances
For the Ohio Bobcats:
- Parker Navarro (QB): The veteran dual-threat signal-caller managed the game masterfully, rushing for over 100 yards and accounting for key scores while avoiding mistakes in adverse conditions.
- Sieh Bangura (RB): Bangura pounded the rock effectively, surpassing 120 yards and wearing down UNLV’s front seven.
- Defense as a unit: The Bobcats’ stop troops forced turnovers, tallied sacks, and held UNLV’s high-powered offense to its lowest output of the season.
For the UNLV Rebels:
- Anthony Colandrea (QB): The Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year fought valiantly, throwing for yards and rushing for a score, but pressure and drops hampered his efficiency.
- Supporting cast showed flashes, but the offense as a whole couldn’t overcome early deficits or convert in the red zone.
Key Takeaways and Analysis
- Ohio’s Bowl Magic Continues: Under interim head coach John Hauser—stepping in after the controversial firing of Brian Smith—the Bobcats showed remarkable resilience. Their defense, ranked highly in recent games, stifled UNLV’s tempo and explosive potential, proving bowl experience matters.
- UNLV’s Offensive Struggles Exposed: Despite a breakout regular season under Dan Mullen, the Rebels looked out of sync, perhaps affected by the championship game hangover or Ohio’s physicality. Their run defense, a known weakness, was exploited repeatedly.
- Defensive Masterclass Over Fireworks: Pre-game hype focused on high totals and offensive firepower, but this turned into a classic trench war. Ohio’s ability to shorten the game and force errors was the difference.
- Implications: For Ohio, this win caps a turbulent but successful season and builds momentum into 2026. UNLV ends on a sour note after a historic 10-3 year but gains valuable experience for future contention in the Mountain West.
Postgame Reactions
Bobcats players and fans celebrated the upset wildly, emphasizing team unity amid off-field drama. UNLV acknowledged Ohio’s superior execution, with players expressing disappointment but pride in the season.
This Frisco Bowl thriller reminds us why bowl season delivers unpredictability—congratulations to Ohio on a hard-fought victory!
