Year Two of the Mullen Era at UNLV opened Wednesday at Rebel Park. The squad went through two hours of drills outside of the Fertitta Football Complex exactly one month before meeting Memphis at Allegiant Stadium in Week Zero in a game that will mark the beginning of perhaps the most anticipated gridiron season ever in Las Vegas.Â
Mullen met with the media following practice and here are some of the highlights from his comments:
ON THE FIRST DAY
"The guys have put in a lot of work (during the offseason) but it's good to get back out here and play some football. There's a comfort level in year two. There's more familiarity with what's going on, with the players, with our routine, how we run the program, how we practice. There weren't confused looks out there. Guys know what they're doing."
ON PREPARING FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST HOME OPENERS IN SCHOOL HISTORY
"It's huge. You're talking about a national game in Week Zero. Huge for both teams. You are going to be on national television in a game with playoff implications before the season even really starts. I think it will be a lot of fun for our guys and pick up the intensity. It's great for the city, too -- an opportunity to have a national college football game right away with their home team right here, trying to pack Allegiant Stadium and give us that home field advantage – it's a big deal."
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ON BEING COMFORTABLE WITH THE HIGH EXPECTATIONS FOR THIS YEAR'S TEAM
"No one is going to have higher expectations than me for our team -- I can promise you that. A lot of guys who we recruited, a lot of the guys who came back -- the expectation is to compete for and win championships. Inside the building that hasn't changed. That's why guys come here."
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ON THE COMPETITION DURING CAMP
"We preach development of players. No one is competing for a starting job here. Everyone is competing for reps. The more guys that we have that can get reps, the deeper we are, the better team we will be. That gets guys focused on their development – are they getting better every day?"
The Rebels kick off their 59th season of football August 29 by hosting Memphis in a highly anticipated Week Zero national matchup on FOX TV. Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets for the six-game 2026 home schedule are available now by visiting unlvtickets.com or calling (702) 739-FANS (3267). For information on all-inclusive VIP club seats or suites at Allegiant Stadium, contact the Premium Sales office at premiumseating@unlv.edu or by calling (702) 739-FANS (3267).
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