We are getting great response to our tix and tailgate plan


A few questions

Where do the visiting fans sit?

Are the parking folks cool with large tailgates?

When do lots open?

Finally feel free to join our board for free. We like talking with opposing fans.

Any updates on where he is headed?

they hate Sluka too.

That was an inspired team!

We have a thread about potential MWC expansion targets. This whole thing is still super fluid so anything can happen.

Does the PAC circle back and make another run at Memphis with a better offer this time? I don't know. That exit fee is pretty steep. Can they make an offer that makes sense for Memphis to leave. Memphis has eyes/hopes on an ACC bid and have to figure they'd take an offer from. BIG12 if they came calling or ACC.

I don't think either conference wants to dip into FCS except as last resort.

Almost feels like a game of chicken now. Next move by either will set things off.

Anybody want to guess what piece/school comes off the board 1st?

My guess is Texas State..

Perusing some stats for next article, came across this.

It doesn't appear that ticket sales have done nearly as well as I am sure UNLV has hoped. Based on tickets available it first looks like almost all of the tickets are sold when you go under the UNLV v Fresno State single game ticket sales, but when you go under the season tickets available, it looks like there are still 3-5K available in total. It looks like they have been moving available tickets over from season to individual games as needed. Sections C140-C135, C132-C131 and section C103 all appear to have plenty of seats available. At least the so called home side is mostly sold out.

Is everyone so scared of Syracuse?!!

They rushed for 125 against our ex QB’s school which is not a feat by any means.
We are at home and Fresno State was no slouch, we play our game, we will beat them too! Yes they beat GT who beat a bad Florida State team, not such a big deal now.

Yes McCord can throw but do you really think the defense we have will let him throw for 350 or 400 yards, I don’t think so?

We will be fine!

i believe starting next year they can direct $ towards the players. So that extra 1.5-1.8 million a year extra can go to help keeping players or improving the team. I dont know how much UNLV can afford to do this ,but the P4 teams are 4 sure doing it. They have more money to play with. Login to view embedded media

Genuinely curious what people think.

On one hand, we would be hurting ourselves when it comes to media negotiations and lose a of potential money.

On the other hand, now the MW will struggle to pay what they promised AF and UNLV to stay.

Do we do what they did and decide to be picky about who we take back or do we take the whole bus?

Do we still try to expand?

Fresno gets absolutely embarrassed in Vegas?

SDSU loses to a lowly MAC team?

At least Wazzu/Boise play each other so they can get 1 win today.

Is it working? I’m not sure. I know it will be needed in the future if we ever get into the big 12 or another conference. But right now, we only fill this thing a third full and even when we’re out in force, it’s pathetic.

ESPN posted that Tx St got an official invite today.

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UNLV Signs Extension to Remain a Member of the Mountain West Conference

The UNLV President Keith E. Whitfield and Director of Athletics Erick Harper announced Thursday that Rebel Athletics will extend its contract with the Mountain West Conference for six years from July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2032. UNLV’s existing contract with the league was scheduled to expire June 30, 2026.

According to a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by President Whitfield, the Mountain West will pay an estimated lump sum of $10-to-14 million to UNLV in 2025, and also pay UNLV approximately $1.5-to-1.8 million annually over a six-year period beginning in July 2026. The new payments are on top of the current revenue streams from existing contracts and media assets. The current media deal expires in June 2026 and negotiations for a new media deal will begin in the near future. The university will also have the flexibility to explore future membership in an autonomous “Power Four” conference without penalty should the opportunity become available.

“We believe continuing our membership with the Mountain West Conference offers needed stability and increased flexibility during a dynamic period in college athletics and positions UNLV for success today and beyond,” President Whitfield said. “UNLV’s continued growth and ascension into a top national research university, combined with world-class athletics facilities and championship-level programs, are indicative of an institution and athletics department on the rise. We’re always looking toward the future, and we’re committed to doing what’s best for our university, UNLV Athletics and our student-athletes, and our alumni and community.”

“After a thorough evaluation of all options, at this time the best choice for UNLV is to remain a member of the Mountain West," Harper said. "We are a charter member of the conference, have had a great experience throughout its history and are excited to continue moving forward. The league is a genuine brand and an established product. Increased revenues are a vital factor. As we look ahead and continue our ascent as an athletics department, this also gives us necessary flexibility as we pursue our future goal of joining an autonomous (Power Four) conference.”

During this process, it became clear that extending the university’s partnership with the Mountain West provided an enhanced revenue stream while ensuring flexibility for future opportunities.

“Any future move from our current affiliation would have to make sense financially and have significant long-term value for the university and UNLV Athletics,” Whitfield said.

Further, UNLV, as a charter member of the Mountain West, will continue to host the conference’s men’s and women’s basketball tournaments at the Thomas & Mack Center throughout the duration of the existing and new contract.

In addition to UNLV, six other member institutions signed the MOU to remain in the Mountain West - The United States Air Force Academy, University of Hawai’i, Manoa, University of New Mexico, University of Nevada, Reno, San Jose State University, and the University of Wyoming.

“Our immediate priority was solidifying the membership of the Mountain West. Now our focus turns to our collective future on behalf of our student-athletes,” said Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez. “The agreements announced today mark a historic moment for the Mountain West and provide much-needed stability and clarity as the world of intercollegiate athletics continues to evolve rapidly. We will continue to prioritize the student-athlete experience and do all we can to support our institutions as they compete at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics.”

No more eight in the box. Williams played a great game and his ability to get the ball in the hands of the UNLV playmaker was HUGE. From SI:

Ricky White III Turns In Incredible Day​

All-American wide receiver Ricky White III played a huge role in the Rebels' win that moved them to 4-0 on the year. White caught ten passes for a season-high 127 yards and two touchdowns. Playing on UNLV's punt return unit, White also picked up a punt that was blocked by Rashod Tanner and returned it to the end zone, giving UNLV the program's first blocked punt for a touchdown since the 2016 season.

According to the Kelly Ford Power Ratings, the win against Fresno improved our rating from 50 to 28. A 22 position jump.

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That big of a move is nothing to sneeze at. Going into the game, Fresno was rated #60.

Looking forward, here are the current ratings for the next 4 teams on the schedule:

Syracuse - 64
Utah St - 121
Oregon St - 66
Boise St - 24

If we want a REALLY special season, this will be the toughest 4 game stretch to get through.

What is your favourite? This is mine beef bone soup

Did anyone else listen to the post game press conference?

It had ended and everyone was leaving the stage. White walks back up to the microphone and says, “to the Circa guys who wanted to pay the QB that $100k, please give that money to the OL.”

1) What a great teammate. 2) shows you what a great leader he is. 3) shows he understands what the OL does and 4) takes a shot at Sluka by telling the world why Sluka had success.

Maybe it was talked about in a different post, but I haven’t gone through them yet.

Trending up: Underpaying your QBs

Just days after UNLV starting QB Matthew Sluka left the team amid an NIL dispute, suggesting he had been promised $100,000 but paid just $3,000, the Rebels took the field and looked like they might have overpaid Sluka by $3,000.

Hajj-Malik Williams stepped in to start and tossed three touchdown passes and ran for another while accounting for 301 total yards of offense in a 59-14 win over Fresno State.

It's an important lesson for everyone to know their worth. If you've ever called out of work because there was still beer left in a keg and it was getting warm, you're probably replaceable. If you've ever taken a Zoom from the bathroom, you're almost certainly replaceable. If you've ever completed just 43% of your throws through three games, you're without a doubt replaceable. And if someone promised you six figures and you didn't get it in writing, honestly, you're probably replaceable.

Nm

What a great win. Serious domination on a national TV stage, looking good in all aspects. It's been alot of fun, easy to rally around, even easier (for me) when there's controversy. I welcome it with open arms. Whether it's justified or not. I absolutely prefer UNLV being hated by everyone that's not a UNLV fan.

Oh, I know it's nitpicking and there might be reasons for it, but these are some things I didn't like so much. And some things I liked.

... Playcalling within the 10 yard line. We seem to really tighten up, not just this year, but last year too. I don't know if we just get ultraconservative or predictable down there. We really don't have a tough yard back. Maybe it's Kylin James for that more than anybody else. When I look at our runners, though we have youth, Burrell, Green, even James - they seem really upright and not slow, but certainly not high end speed. Jet seems to get low at times and can get some extra yardage, but it's not like it's a strong go to. I realize we operate better in space instead of smashmouth, but there are times when you need it. Maybe Hajj is the best for that. But a little bit of power in certain situations seems to be lacking.

... I thought Hajj was terrific today given the circumstances. Steady, didn't make mistakes. Didn't try to do too much, took what was given, nothing seemed forced. Loved that we got Ricky back on track, looking like a game from last season. Wasn't crazy about the total spread though, 4 players, 15 catches, 10 to White. I realize we didn't throw it a ton and we gnashed them on the ground so it's not a huge deal, perhaps it was by design to get Ricky going. We were pretty even split last year with as a running/passing strength, this year we will be better with the tilt towards running.

... I wrote a post sometime in August that I was almost afraid to post because a) I hadn't seen it with my own eyes and b) it was tough for me to believe even though I completely trust the source. And it was basically how good our defense was going to be and how good it could be if key players stayed healthy, namely Baldwin and Catalon since they both have been injury prone. The post was about speed, aggressiveness, ability to cover, that Jackson jumped up a level and McDuffie ... and that the line was vastly improved. That it would be not the best defense in the country, but had a chance to be, by far, the best Rebel defense we've seen. So far, so good.

... Special teams have been really good this year. I was worried about Chittenden, even with his HS awards. He hasn't been in any high pressure situations, but the kid has done just fine so far. Nichols has been really good and now we are making plays on special teams.

... Wow, just wow. Turnover margin. Pressure on the QB. Interceptions. Impressive across the board. Whatever we are doing there, going to have to elevate it against Syracuse, McCord has thrown for 340+ yards in every game and has 10 TDs to 3 INTs. But they don't run the ball well and they aren't/haven't been strong defensively. Still, UNLV is going to have to bring it and hit them early and often. We need this game. Two road games that won't be easy after this Syracuse game.

... It's pretty nice that we can't be in a better position than we currently are.

25!

UNLV has an average of 4 sacks per game putting them at #2

Boise State has an average of 5 sacks per game putting them at #1 (7 sacks verse Washington State)