How to watch UNLV vs. NIU: TV channel, time, radio for Rebels Week 9 matchup

UNLV GAME DAY

Halloween night marks UNLV football’s return to action as the Rebels host the winless Northern Illinois Huskies at Allegiant Stadium following the Rebels’ second bye week of the season.

The Rebels enter Week 9 with a 4-3 overall record and a 2-1 mark in the Mountain West, trailing the New Mexico Lobos and Wyoming Cowboys in the conference standings. Both teams remain on UNLV’s schedule.

The last time UNLV entered a bye week following a disappointing loss, the Rebels responded with three consecutive wins to climb to the top of the conference standings.

Here’s how Las Vegas-area fans can watch and listen to the game.

UNLV vs NIU

Records:

UNLV 4-3, 2-1 (MW); NIU 0-7, 0-3 (MW)

When:

Saturday

Time:

7:30 p.m. PT

Where:

Allegiant Stadium

TV:

CBS Sports Network

Radio:

ESPN 1100 AM & 100.9 FM

What’s at stake?

UNLV

The bigger picture

While UNLV controls its own destiny in the race to return to the Mountain West championship game for the fourth consecutive season, there is something bigger at stake if the Rebels finish the season undefeated in the league: the opportunity to host the championship game at Allegiant Stadium.

Of the program’s previous three trips to the conference title game, only one was played in front of the Rebels’ home crowd. That came in 2023, when UNLV lost to Boise State.

The Jet’s production

A preseason first-team All-Mountain West selection, Jai’Den “Jet” Thomas has totaled 543 yards on 112 carries this season, with three rushing touchdowns and three games with more than 100 rushing yards.

In the five games in which the senior running back has carried the ball more than 15 times, the Rebels are 4-1. Thomas has also recorded 256 total yards and two touchdowns against Hawaii and Akron, two teams with two wins or fewer, putting him in line for a productive game against the Huskies.

Thomas ranks fourth in the conference in rushing yards this season while averaging 4.8 yards per carry.

NIU

Seeking a win

In its first season in the Mountain West, Northern Illinois has struggled to find its footing, entering its Week 9 matchup with UNLV at 0-7. That does not mean the Huskies will go down without a fight.

The former Mid-American Conference member has scored more than 20 points in two of its three games against Mountain West opponents this season, while wide receiver DeAree Rodgers leads the conference in receptions.

A win over UNLV would give the Huskies their first victory of the season and provide a major shake-up in the Mountain West standings while handing them a win over a conference championship contender.

Contact Donovan Hicks at [email protected]. Follow @HicksSports on X.