UNLV opened the season with a lead in the third quarter, only to see Memphis rally for a 27-21 win in Las Vegas.
UNLV held a third-quarter touchdown lead in its season opener before Memphis scored the final 13 points to pull out a 27-21 win, according to UNLV Athletics. The loss stung because the Rebels had positioned themselves to start the year with a statement victory.
Instead, the game turned in the closing stretch, a reminder of how thin the margins can be in college football. High-profile openers can swing on a handful of possessions, and Memphis made the most of its late chances.
For Las Vegas sports fans, UNLV remains one of the city’s most visible college programs, and early-season results carry extra weight as the Rebels try to build momentum. A close loss can still reveal plenty about a team’s resilience, but it also leaves little room for comfort.
The opener sets the tone for the weeks ahead, and UNLV will need to turn the frustration into something useful. In a town that now has no shortage of sports options, the Rebels still have a chance to keep their own spotlight if they can respond quickly.