UNLV Football To Open 2016 By Hosting Jackson State

Rebels and Tigers will tangle in special Thursday matchup on September 1.

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- UNLV will open its 2016 football season by hosting Jackson State University as part of a unique partnership between the two schools and the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA), Director of Athletics Tina Kunzer-Murphy and LVCVA Chairman Lawrence Weekly announced Monday.

The game will be played Thursday, Sept. 1 at Sam Boyd Stadium. Kickoff time and TV information are still to be determined. Individual tickets to the game will go on sale during the summer. Group and season tickets are available now by calling (702) 739-FANS or visiting unlvtickets.com.

Festivities around the game will include more than just the on-field matchup as Jackson State’s famed marching band, the Sonic Boom of the South, cheerleading squad and popular dance squad, the Prancing J-Settes, will travel to Las Vegas and appear at other events, including a public pep rally, as well as at the stadium.

“We wanted our season-opener to stand out as we celebrate the program that head coach Tony Sanchez is building here and this will be more than just a game, it will be a party,” Kunzer-Murphy said. “UNLV is excited to help the LVCVA promote our community through helping us bring in a historic FCS program.”

Jackson State, a historically black college (HBCU), is a member of the tradition-rich Southwestern Athletic Conference and has produced Pro Football Hall of Famers Walter Payton, Jackie Slater and Lem Barney. UNLV hosted JSU once before, downing the Tigers 39-2 on Oct. 4, 1975. The Rebels are 3-0 all-time in games played against teams in the SWAC as they also downed Alcorn State and Prairie View A&M during the 1974 season.

“Las Vegas is a world-class city with an impressive listing of sporting events to match, including a variety of championship events that attract top professional and collegiate athletes and the most dedicated sports fans,” said Weekly. “We are excited to add the proud history of Jackson State football to our extensive lineup with the upcoming matchup against UNLV this football season and we look forward to welcoming the school’s fans to Las Vegas to experience everything our city has to offer.”

ABOUT THE LVCVA
The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority (LVCVA) is charged with marketing Southern Nevada as a tourism and convention destination worldwide, and also with operating the Las Vegas Convention Center and Cashman Center. With more than 150,000 hotel rooms in Las Vegas alone and almost 11 million square feet of meeting and exhibit space citywide, the LVCVA's mission centers on attracting ever- increasing numbers of leisure and business visitors to the area. For more information, go to www.lvcva.com or www.lasvegas.com.  Rebels will open
their spring practice on March 7.

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF NEVADA LAS VEGAS ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS