UNLV football players paint Fremont Cannon red — VIDEO
Rain had been falling at the UNLV Student Union on Monday morning, but as the Fremont Cannon came into view, so did the sun.
It was a bright day for the Rebels’ football program, and a crowd of about 1,500 students and officials came out to celebrate the painting of the cannon from blue to red.
UNLV took possession of college football’s heaviest and most expensive trophy Saturday by going to UNR and winning 23-17. It was the second time in a row the Rebels won at Reno, but only UNLV's second victory in the past 11 overall meetings.
The cannon was escorted by the team from Lied Athletic Complex to the Student Union, where coach Tony Sanchez and the players painted it red.
“This is for Vegas,” quarterback Blake Decker told the crowd. “This is for UNLV. Don’t get used to seeing the cannon blue because it’s going to be red for a long time.”
Rebels fans would love that, but Sanchez issued a challenge to them. He wants to see a commitment from UNLV fans when the Rebels play San Jose State at 6 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.
“It’s great to have this energy about the football program right now on campus, but it’s got to translate to people coming out to the stadium,” Sanchez said. “I want everybody out. Our kids have worked extremely hard and played well over the course of five games, went to Reno and won a tough game on the road. We need to fill up Sam Boyd Stadium.
“I think the community’s ready for this program to step up and have sustained success, and that’s going to be a little easier said than done right now, but this needs to translate into people showing up and making that a place that’s a home-field advantage.”
The game against San Jose State (2-3, 1-1 Mountain West) is vital for UNLV (2-3, 1-0) because the winner takes a major step forward in the conference's West Division. The winner also greatly increases its chance of making a bowl.
For now UNLV was taking this day to enjoy the moment.
“We’re having fun out here,” running back Keith Whitely said. “We’ve been missing that. It’s just a great feeling.”
Sanchez became the first first-year UNLV coach to beat the Wolf Pack since Jeff Horton in 1994. It’s a good way to endear himself to the fan base, and Sanchez was a popular man at the Student Union.
“We are so happy and excited to be bringing this cannon back,” Sanchez told the crowd. “Our guys have worked extremely hard for a long time and through a tough transition.
“We’re going to keep grinding away. We’re going to keep this baby home for a long, long time.”
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him: @markanderson65
