LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — UNLV is moving up its football home opener, shifting its game against Idaho State to Aug. 23 at Allegiant Stadium. The change will allow Allegiant to host the highly anticipated championship fight featuring Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford on Sept. 13.
The “Week Zero” matchup between the Rebels and Idaho State Bengals will mark the debut of Rebels head coach Dan Mullen.
“The World Championship Boxing Match is important to Las Vegas, and the impact it will have on tourism is unmatched,” UNLV Director of Athletics Erick Harper said in a statement released on Friday.
“Las Vegas is the Sports and Entertainment Capital, and we are a part of this amazing epicenter. As community members and an institution that works closely with many of the city’s great constituents, we felt it was important to request a waiver to show our commitment to the community,” Harper said.
Mullen, who won 103 games at the University of Florida and Mississippi State University, returns to coaching in Las Vegas after three seasons as an ESPN college football analyst.
It’s the earliest game ever for UNLV, topping the Aug. 27, 2022, game against Idaho State at Allegiant.
Kickoff time and TV information for the game have not yet been announced.
UNLV also moved the kickoff time for its Nov. 1 game against New Mexico to 12 p.m. Pacific time. TV information for that game is still to be announced.
“We looked at multiple alternatives to make it happen, and moving to Week Zero was the only possibility and also the most logical, if a waiver could be approved,” Harper said. He thanked UNLV President Dr. Chris Heavey, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO and President Steve Hill, and Las Vegas Raiders President Sandra Douglass Morgan for their assistance in making the change.