Wyoming and UNLV clash in Las Vegas with conference titles in play
The Cowboys face the Rebels on Saturday night at Allegiant Stadium, a matchup that has produced overtime thrills and high-scoring upsets in the past.
By Sofia Ramirez ·
Wyoming fans will watch from home or gather in viewing parties for a game that carries weight beyond a single weekend. The Cowboys, currently 5-3 with a 4-1 conference record, travel to Las Vegas to face the UNLV Rebels on Saturday, November 7. The game kicks off at 8:30 p.m. MST and will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Both teams hold hopes for a Mountain West championship, making the winner's position in the race for the title clear.
The setting is Allegiant Stadium, a 65,000-capacity facility that has become a rare and expensive venue for college football. The last time Wyoming played inside this specific stadium, the official attendance was zero due to the pandemic. In that 2020 matchup, the Cowboys dominated 45-14, with quarterback Levi Williams rushing for three touchdowns. The game stands out for its emptiness rather than the crowd, a stark contrast to the packed house expected this weekend.
The coaching history between these two programs is a story of recent stability after long struggles. UNLV has had five head coaches since 2000, posting an overall record of 86-197 during that span. The Rebels lost 132 conference games in that period. That streak of underperformance ended when Dan Mullen arrived. Since taking over, Mullen has guided UNLV to a 15-7 record, with only three losses in Mountain West play. His predecessor, Barry Odom, also enjoyed success, posting 19 wins and three losses in conference games before leaving for Purdue.
The series history is close, with Wyoming holding a 14-13 all-time advantage. However, UNLV won the first five conference meetings during the Vic Koenning era. In recent memory, the games have been defined by chaos and high scoring. In 2016, the two teams played to a 69-66 overtime finish at Sam Boyd Stadium. That contest required three extra periods and featured 135 combined points. Wyoming coach Tony Sanchez, who was on staff at the time, called it the craziest game he had ever been part of.
Josh Allen was the quarterback in that 2016 thriller. He threw for 334 yards and four touchdowns while driving the team 97 yards in the final minute to force the first overtime. UNLV's Tanner Gentry responded with a 19-yard one-handed catch in the corner of the end zone. Gentry finished the game with five receptions for 184 yards and three scores. Despite the offensive explosion, Wyoming's defense gave up 653 total yards and the ball was turned over four times. The Cowboys won that season's conference championship, while UNLV finished with four victories.
Weather in Las Vegas will be pleasant for those who make the trip, with a high of 76 degrees and a low of 51. The game is indoors, so wind and rain are not factors. Betting lines list UNLV as a six-point favorite with a total of 48.5 points. The Rebels have won three of their last four conference games, including a 34-14 victory over Wyoming in November 2023 under Barry Odom. The Cowboys have also shown resilience, winning 5-3 overall and maintaining a 4-1 mark in league play.
The matchup features head coaches Jay Sawvel for Wyoming and Dan Mullen for UNLV. Both programs are trying to secure a prime spot in the conference standings. The winner will likely have a strong position to advance in the Mountain West tournament. For fans following the action, the game is available on CBS Sports Network, with radio coverage on the Cowboy Sports Network. Ticket information is available through the UNLV Ticket Office. The series record remains tight, but the stakes for this Saturday night are high for both programs.
