While the Raiders’ tumultuous year dominated the news in Las Vegas, they were far from the only major story on the local sports scene.
Football
Beginnings can be memorable or brutal. There isn’t much in between when talking wins and losses. Except this one. It was just nuts.
Marcus Arroyo’s second season at UNLV begins with Thursday night’s game against Eastern Washington at Allegiant Stadium. He’s looking for his first win after last year’s 0-6 finish.
It’s much easier — not to mention cheaper — for UNLV to ditch a mascot than the nickname the university has been known by since the mid-1950s.
— The Rebels won’t play at Colorado State on Saturday while the Raiders placed seven more defensive players on the COVID-19 list.
Senior quarterback Max Gilliam is expected to start his third straight game of this young season when UNLV hosts Fresno State on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.
It was November of 2001 when Marcus Arroyo torched the Wolf Pack as quarterback for San Jose State.
New eras have to start somewhere. This particular one did for Marcus Arroyo and UNLV football in a 34-6 loss to San Diego State on Saturday night in Carson, California.
Every five years or so, someone else is hired to assume the role of UNLV head football coach. Marcus Arroyo is next up.
Charles Williams is one of those show-me football players. Senior running backs not considered a high NFL draft pick, or ones at all by some, need film for scouts to dissect.
The Rebels have a fall schedule and will open under Marcus Arroyo as head coach for the first time when meeting San Diego State on Oct. 24.
For years, whispers have suggested power schools would form their own collegiate establishment by separating from the NCAA.
Young. No head coaching experience. And now in charge of trying to do something at UNLV that nobody has done consistently in 30 years. Welcome to the Marcus Arroyo Era.
Tony Sanchez did everything but win at UNLV, setting the program on a path for success more than anyone else who held his position. He defeated UNR on Saturday in his final game.
Landing a coach with supreme name recognition is exactly the path UNLV should travel in football, one that could ultimately affect all other sports in a positive manner.