 As a freshman in 1973 under head coach Ron Meyer, he was named the starter at quarterback.As a sophomore in 1974, he helped UNLV achieve a number two ranking in Division II, after the school completed their one and only undefeated regular season.The Rebels met Delaware in the Grantland Rice Bowl, a national semifinal, but lost backfield with Carano was senior running back Mike Thomas, a fifth round selection in the 1975 NFL Draft and the offensive rookie of the year with the Washington Redskins.