UNLV GAME DAY
The UNLV Rebels will look to build off their first win of the season when they travel to face the North Texas Mean Green in Week 2 of the college football season.
The Rebels have played the Mean Green six times in school history and hold a 5-1 record against the program, most recently facing off in 2022 at Allegiant Stadium, where UNLV claimed a 58-27 win.
Here’s how Las Vegas-area fans can watch and listen to the game.
UNLV at North Texas
Records:
UNLV 1-1, 0-0 (MW); North Texas 0-1, 0-0 (AAC)
When:
Saturday
Time:
12:45 p.m. PT
Where:
DATCU Stadium
TV:
ESPNU
Radio:
ESPN 1100 AM & 100.9 FM
Five things to watch
The usage of Jet Thomas
Jai’Den Thomas recorded his first touchdown of the season in the third quarter of UNLV’s 21-6 win over the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors while totaling 143 rushing yards on 20 carries.
In his career, when Thomas records 13 or more carries, the Rebels’ record stands at 14-1, with the program’s lone loss coming last season against the New Mexico Lobos.
If the Jet can catch momentum early, it may open up the passing game that UNLV struggled to find consistency in on the islands.
Questions on defense
Against Hawaii, the Rebels allowed six points and held Rainbow Warriors quarterback Micah Alejado to 176 yards through the air while completing 17 of his 41 pass attempts.
However, the question is if this defense is the expectation going forward or just a matchup-oriented stat line. Last season, UNLV also contained Alejado and the Hawaii offense, allowing 10 points, while in the Rebels’ Week 0 matchup against the Memphis Tigers, there were gaps in the defensive scheme as the Rebels allowed 27 points and 418 total yards.
Which version of the UNLV defense shows up on Saturday could play a decisive role in the outcome.
Arnold’s development
It is clear through two games that this is Jackson Arnold’s job to lose at the UNLV quarterback position. In Week 0, the Rebels found success through the air as Arnold completed 25 of 37 pass attempts for 291 yards and two touchdowns.
While in Hawaii, however, Arnold struggled in the passing game, totaling 116 yards on eight completions, but was able to create opportunities with his legs, picking up 89 yards on the ground and a touchdown on 16 carries.
If Arnold can find a happy medium between his first two starts with the Rebels and continue to make good decisions with the football, as he has not allowed a turnover so far this season, the results will come.
Battle in the trenches
UNLV will still be without starting center Austin Boyd, and according to coach Dan Mullen, he will remain out for at least “a couple” more weeks, meaning the rotation on the offensive line will have to continue to find success.
The Rebels allowed one sack against Hawaii, and it came on their final possession when Arnold slipped in the backfield. While North Texas did not record a sack against Indiana, it was playing the defending champions on the road.
Saturday’s matchup may be won or lost in the trenches, and if the result is what the Rebels accomplished in Hawaii, it will likely find success. But if UNLV cannot contain the opposing defensive line similarly to its loss against Memphis, the program could be staring at its second loss of the season.
Finishing strong
One thing about the Mean Green that was evident in their season opener was that they will not go down easily trailing by just nine points in the third quarter to the defending national champion Indiana Hoosiers. For a UNLV program that has had offensive inconsistencies so far this season, that could pose a problem.
Through two games, the Rebels have scored double the amount of points in the first half as they have in the second half and needed a 50-yard rushing touchdown from Thomas against the Rainbow Warriors to pull away.
UNLV will have to create separation more effectively on the scoreboard in Week 2 if it is to walk out of a hostile environment with a win.
