UNLV’s trip to the Big House to air on Big Ten Network with early kickoff

By Taylor Bern

Friday, June 12, 2015 | 12:45 p.m.

UNLV’s first-ever game against Michigan will air on the Big Ten Network and kick off at 9 a.m. Las Vegas time, it was announced today. The Rebels are playing at the Big House on Saturday, Sept. 19 in a battle of two first-year Division I coaches with disparate previous experience.

The Rebels’ Tony Sanchez made a rare jump from high school to college head coach, while Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh made a rare move from the NFL to take over at his alma mater. While Sanchez was winning state titles at Bishop Gorman High, Harbaugh was leading the San Francisco 49ers to three NFC conference title games in four years, and soon they’ll be on the same field.

This is one of the buy games that UNLV has added to its future schedules to help fund the athletic department. The Rebels will get $1 million for this trip, a school record $1.3 million to play at Ohio State in 2017 and $1.15 million for a game at USC in 2019.

The Rebels’ remaining kickoff times and TV coverage will be released in the coming weeks.

Taylor Bern can be reached at 948-7844 or [email protected]. Follow Taylor on Twitter at twitter.com/taylorbern.