UNLV needed a big performance on the road against Colorado State to keep its slim chances of making a bow game alive. The Rebels had to win all four of its remaining games to reach the 6-6 mark, but that would not happen. Colorado State took early control of the game and dominated the Rebels en route to a 37-17 victory.
The first play of the game was indicative of how the day would go for UNLV, as Colorado State returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. The Rams scored again on its first offensive possession of the game and late in the first quarter, and the Rebels were down 21-0 after the first quarter.