ESPN may televise Rebels’ first game of ‘99 season

Steve Guiremand

Friday, April 9, 1999 | 10:08 a.m.

The John Robinson Era at UNLV will begin two days earlier than scheduled.

There's also a very good chance that it will begin on national television.

The Rebels' season-opening game at North Texas, originally scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 4, in Denton, Texas, will instead be played on Thursday night, Sept. 2, at 5 p.m. PDT.

If that time sounds familiar, it should. That's also when ESPN broadcasts its Thursday night football games.

A UNLV official, who asked not to be identified, said there's a good chance the game could wind up being televised by the cable channel.

"It's not a done deal, but it's getting close," the UNLV official said.

"Coach Robinson's debut here is no small thing and having the game on a non-traditional day will only help create additional excitement," UNLV athletics director Charles Cavagnaro said in a prepared statement.

"North Texas likes the move because they have to compete with the likes of Texas and Texas A&M for room on the sports page and this will give them a two-day head start to opening the season."

The date change also gives UNLV two extra days to prepare for its second game of the season on Sept. 11 at Baylor.

The Rebels open their home schedule against Iowa State on Sept. 18 at 7 p.m. at renovated Sam Boyd Stadium.