Dan Mullen, picking up where Barry Odom left off, led the UNLV Rebels to their second-straight 10-win season last year. While Mullen’s debut campaign in Sin City couldn’t have gone much better, his opening game to year two couldn’t have gone much worse.
The Rebels, a popular preseason pick to represent the Group of Six in the College Football Playoff, fell at home to Memphis on Saturday night. The 27-21 Week 0 loss puts UNLV behind the eight ball in its quest for a CFP berth.
RELATED: Looking to bet on college football? Use our BetMGM bonus code to get in on the action today!
Mullen’s pass defense struggled throughout the game against the Tigers. Memphis quarterback Marcus Stokes took many deep shots all night, drawing pass interference flags on some while narrowly missing on plenty of others. His biggest completion came on a 48-yard touchdown to Braylon Burnside. The play gave Mullen’s critics an early chance to yap.
Dan Mullen's defense getting cooked on a deep bomb?What a plot twist nobody could've seen coming! pic.twitter.com/UOnWYMnCWs
— Squidtard (@LordOfTardaria) August 30, 2026As UNLV fought to find the end zone, Mullen only gave his detractors more ammunition. The Rebels passed on multiple field goal opportunities, opting to attempt longer fourth-down conversions. They finished the game just 2-of-5 on fourth down.
Dan Mullen, this is called a field goal: You kick the ball through those yellow things and they give you 3 points. Pretty cool concept. Might want to try it sometime. pic.twitter.com/eUNvlnKQSh
— The cfb lliason (@realfbllliason) August 30, 2026Mullen’s mentality likely shifted when kicker Ramon Villela missed a 32-yard try at the end of the first half. That, and additional red zone woes, are what Mullen attributed to the defeat.
"I don't want to sound too coachy… but the game's not complicated."Missed field goal and two failed 4th-down attempts. Dan Mullen points to red zone struggles as the decisive factor in season-opening loss to Memphis. pic.twitter.com/fGVbneXLd7
— COFIELD (@stevecofield) August 30, 2026UNLV is back in action at Hawaii next weekend. Kickoff between the Rebels and Rainbow Warriors is set for 10:00 p.m. ET (CW).
Dan Mullen takes heat on social media following season-opening loss Saturday Down South.
Hence then, the article about dan mullen takes heat on social media following season opening loss was published today ( ) and is available on SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Dan Mullen takes heat on social media following season-opening loss )
Also on site :