He paused as he spoke, emotions welling up within him. Barry Odom wanted to convey a message about life. About overcoming adversity. About how best to face your obstacles.

“You have to know the ups and downs of what happens and how to respond to it,” the UNLV football coach said Saturday night. “Five years ago today, I was fired from the University of Missouri. I’ll never forget that.

“You learn from your lessons. You learn from your opportunities. You pick yourself up, dust yourself off and go and create more.”

That’s exactly what he did with the rebels.

Odom’s team is back where it has been all season at 10-2 after qualifying to face Boise State in the Mountain West championship for the second straight year.

The game takes place on Friday in Boise, Idaho.

UNLV secured its spot by rolling past UNR 38-14 at Allegiant Stadium. This means the Fremont Cannon will remain red for another year. There was never any doubt.

The Rebels have tremendous opportunities in their second game of the season against Boise State. A win would secure a spot in the inaugural 12-team College Football Playoff.

Think about it. Think about how far No. 19 UNLV has come in such a short time under Odom. In just two seasons.

A program whose history has largely been one of defeat and despair is celebrating victory by joining some of the best programs in the country in the quest for a national championship. The Rebels won 10 games in a season for the first time in 40 years.

Think about it. And understand — no matter how much he may deny it — that Odom is the main reason for such a turnaround.

“Hope, Vision and Faith”

He taught the players lessons whose importance is undeniable in the bright light. And they hugged every single one.

He convinced her to live in the moment, keep her head down and work. To be known for what they have achieved. To be judged on their merits and not on the setbacks of their predecessors.

“When (athletic director Erick Harper) and I started talking about this job, we talked about the opportunities that were here,” Odom said. “It started with hope, vision and faith. Then you win some early games and some of the things you’ve been talking about are confirmed.

“I didn’t do anything. They are our boys. It’s our team. It’s about the pieces we put together, the administration and support and everyone who touches our players.”

He’s wrong, of course. He was the one who immediately set a standard for excellence. Who talked about winning at this high level? Who hired a great coaching staff. Who’s goal was to change the narrative of UNLV football and how might that come about?

He will undoubtedly continue to be pursued by other programs, with many looking for a coach capable of achieving that level of success. But that’s a story for another day. That’s what Harper and UNLV will have to maneuver when it comes time to convince Odom that this is the right place for him.

At the moment it’s all about No. 10 Boise State. So that all these lessons take hold and come into play on the street against a more than formidable opponent.

The Broncos defeated UNLV 29-24 at Allegiant Stadium in October. One night, Boise State was simply the better team.

Everything online

The Rebels talk about winning 1-0, be it in one game, during a practice session or in a weekly game. They never really looked beyond their next opponent this season.

They are now looking ahead with everything at stake.

They know exactly the man they will follow.

“Believing in (Odom) made me believe in myself,” senior linebacker Jackson Woodard said. “That’s why I followed him here (from Arkansas). I knew he would be a winner. When I came here I didn’t even think about losing. I knew we would win.”

You have. You can start with Odom as to why that is.

Ed Graney, winner of the Sigma Delta Chi Award for sports column writing, can be reached at [email protected]. He can be heard Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. on The Press Box, ESPN Radio 100.9 FM and 1100 AM. Follow @edgraney on X.

Next

Who: UNLV at Boise State

What: Mountain West championship game

When: Friday, 5 p.m

Where: Albertsons Stadium, Boise, Idaho

TV: Fox

Radio: KWWN (1100 AM, 100.9 FM)

Line: Boise State -4; total 59½