UNLV to host seven football games in 2008

The UNLV football team will play seven home games this season for the first time since 1979.

"I love that, and I like the fact three out of our first five are at home and three out of our last four are at home," coach Mike Sanford said. "I also like the placement of the bye. Having the bye in the middle of the season is a real plus."

But the Rebels' first road trip could prove a difficult back-to-back stretch as they play at Utah on Sept. 6 and at Arizona State on Sept. 13.

While getting stuck with the Utes in the second week wasn't ideal, Sanford said it was better than being handed a bye that early by the Mountain West Conference.

"I think with our schedule we knew there was a good chance we'd end up with a conference game in the second week because it was an open week (otherwise), and we knew Utah had an open date," Sanford said. "I look at it as a great challenge."

The Utes figure to have revenge on their minds after a 27-0 loss to the Rebels last season and subsequent remarks by Sanford and tailback Frank Summers that Utah was afraid to tackle Summers.

Utah, which executed an onside kick last season during a 43-0 rout of Wyoming as payback for a perceived slight, wasn't exactly pleased.

In the Rebels' favor, they open Aug. 30 at home against Utah State while the Utes travel to Michigan. So the Utes will have plenty of business to attend to before working on onside kicks for UNLV.

After playing Arizona State, which lost only once in Tempe last season, the Rebels return to Sam Boyd Stadium to host Iowa State on Sept. 20 and UNR on Sept. 27 before heading full time into league play.

The Mtn. will televise seven Rebels games, and CBS College Sports Network (formerly CSTV) will show the Nov. 1 home game against Texas Christian and the Nov. 22 finale at San Diego State.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or (702) 387-2914.