Story by Alan Snel Photos by J. Tyge O’Donnell
It’s 10:45 PM on a Friday night in Las Vegas and UNLV’s sports teams, both football and basketball have not been too consequential during the past few years, were making life miserable for two nationally-ranked teams in games just a mile and a half from each other.
At T-Mobile Arena, the Runnin’ Rebels were down by only three points to a fourth-ranked Michigan team, while the 2-8 UNLV football team were threatening to take the lead against #23 San Diego State, which has won nine of 10 games this season. A UNLV field goal late in the third quarter cut the San Diego State to a mere point.
The football and basketball teams have played games at the same time. But tonight, UNLV was at T-Mobile Arena for the Roman Main Event college tourney that also brought Arizona and Wichita State to town. The Rebs’ football team, on senior night, had an 8:32 PM kickoff against the Aztecs, while the Runnin’ Rebels had a 10 PM tipoff.
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It was senior night at the Rebels football game, which included Charles “The Chuck Wagon” Williams hugging coach Marcus Arroyo and posing for photos before the game with San Diego State. It was a rough night for the Chuck Wagon, carrying the rock for only 35 yards.
It was near midnight when both UNLV football and basketball teams lost hard-fought games.
At Allegiant Stadium, San Diego State 28 UNLV 20. It was the final home game of the season for the Rebels, which outgained San Diego State, 394-290, in yardage. UNLV is 2-9 and plays Air Force in Colorado Springs Nov. 26 to complete the season. Quarterback Cameron Friel left the game with an injury. Justin Rogers was 15 for 21 for 305 yards, two TDs and one pick.
At T-Mobile Arena, Michigan 74 UNLV 61. The Wolverines led by only three at the half, but pulled away in the second half. UNLV is 3-1 after opening up the season with three consecutive wins at the Thomas & Mack Center on campus. Bryce Hamilton led the Rebs with 21 points.
It was a great crowd at the arena, which will be changed for NHL hockey in the early morning hours as the Vegas Golden Knights host the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night. The arena that opened in April 2016 will switch over again for college hoops Sunday when Michigan and Arizona play in the final of the Roman college hoops tourney.
Brooks Downing, the promoter for the Roman Main Event, estimated there 8,000-10,000 in the arena for Friday’s two games.
A Kentucky basketball veteran, Downing also mentioned he lined up Roman as the title sponsor this past year.
See you Saturday at T-Mobile Arena for Golden Knights vs Columbus.