LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — UNLV backup quarterback Alex Orji is out for the season after suffering a hamstring injury over the weekend.
Orji was hit out of bounds in the first quarter of the UCLA vs UNLV game on Saturday, which is when the injury occurred.
At head coach Dan Mullen’s press conference on Monday afternoon, he stated it is a Grade 3 LCL sprain that tore the hamstring off of the bone and will require surgery in the coming weeks.
"The devastating part if not just the loss of his talent on the field, but his leadership, his demeanor, the man that he is; it's just heartbreaking," Mullen said.
“The devastating part is not just the loss of his talent on the field, but his leadership, his demeanor, the man that he is, it’s just heartbreaking.” - Coach Mullen on backup QB Alex Orji being out for the season due to a hamstring injury. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/qMCMOUMv2p
— Alex Eschelman (@alexeschelman) September 9, 2025
Rebels senior Cameron Friel will now step up as the backup behind starter Anthony Colandrea.
-
Here are the Mountain West teams UNLV football will face in 2025
UNLV football will play four Mountain West teams in 2025 that it did not face this season, as the conference announced future opponents on Tuesday.
UNLV players and students react to Barry Odom taking the Purdue job
Odom spent the last two seasons leading the Rebels to a historic turnaround. He went 19-8 at UNLV, and the Rebels had only won 20 games total in the five seasons prior.
Head to head: UNLV will battle Cal football at the LA bowl game
The two universities have only played each other once before, with the Bears edging out the Rebels 20-14 on Sept. 10, 2022.
Del Alexander named UNLV football interim head coach
UNLV Director of Athletics Erick Harper broke the news on Sunday afternoon after Barry Odom accepted a head-coaching offer by Purdue.
