UNLV has put together a series of promotions to commemorate its final football season in Sam Boyd Stadium. The Rebels will move to Las Vegas Stadium in 2020.
UNLV Football
This is a make-or-break season for UNLV coach Tony Sanchez, who has several issues to address as training camp opens Friday at Rebel Park.
The 225-pounder had a breakout season last year, completing 64 percent of his passes for 3,567 yards and 32 touchdowns with six interceptions for a team that went 11-2.
The conference is considering moving the game to a neutral site, and the stadiums being built in Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area would be the most likely locations.
The conference’s commissioner said he expects an announcement on a new contract this fall to replace the current deals that expire July 1, 2020.
The junior has missed 10 starts in the past two seasons because of injures, and the Rebels went 1-6 in the games he missed last season with a toe injury.
It will receive $2 million in product in each year of the three-year deal, with the ability to purchase an additional $1 million annually.
The Mountain West faces many questions as a new football season is about to begin. The conference’s media days are at Green Valley Ranch Resort on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Denior Javin White is the first UNLV player since John Lotulelei in 2012 to appear on the Butkus Award watch list. The award honors to the nation’s top linebacker.
The Rebels’ former offensive coordinator hopes to return to football after he receives a heart transplant because of congestive heart failure.
The 62-year-old, who needs a heart transplant, was one of coach Tony Sanchez’s first hires after taking over the program following the 2014 season.
John Robinson, the former long-time Southern California football coach who also had a six-year stint at UNLV, will be a senior consultant at Louisiana State.
The conference, which wants to balance control of start times for its athletic events and exposure, is in talks with several providers.
UNLV football is offering a ticket plan that includes a meal and commemorative T-shirt for home games against Boise State, San Diego State and Hawaii.
Wide receiver Randal Grimes, who transferred from Southern California to UNLV, was ruled eligible to play for the Rebels this season.