When the UNLV Rebels (9-2) face the Nevada Wolf Pack (3-9) in the 50th Battle for the Fremont Cannon, it’s about more than just bragging rights. The rivalry, fueled by state supremacy and historical animosity, features college football’s heaviest and most expensive trophy — a 545-pound replica cannon painted in the winning team’s colors.
Nevada vs. UNLV: What Is the Fremont Cannon?
The Battle for Nevada series began in 1969, with Nevada edging out a victory on a game-winning field goal. UNLV fans have long claimed the kick missed, setting the tone for decades of heated clashes.
In 1993, Nevada’s coach Jeff Horton defected to UNLV after just one season, deepening the animosity in what fans call the “Red Defection.”
There’s also a history of high tension and physical altercations. From bottles and helmets thrown to two pre-game brawls in the ’90s, the intensity often extends beyond the gridiron.
Even fights in the stands were once commonplace, fueled by both schools’ early adoption of alcohol sales during games.
Since becoming an annual matchup in 1989, the Fremont Cannon has been the ultimate prize. In 1966, UNLV, then Nevada Southern, students planned a daring raid to steal a cannon from Nevada’s campus.
Though their attempt fell short, with campus security stopping them after just 25 feet, the prank laid the groundwork for the creation of the Fremont Cannon, which is now a symbol of the fierce competition between the two schools.
Beyond the cannon, the game also awards three points in the Silver State Series, an all-sports competition between the universities. The football portion of the rivalry stands at 28-21 in favor of Nevada, but UNLV has claimed the last two meetings.
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This year, the Rebels are chasing their third-ever 10-win season after making their first-ever College Football Rankings debut on Tuesday, Nov. 19. The stakes don’t end there, either, as UNLV is one game away from facing the Boise State Broncos in the Mountain West Conference Championship.
The 2024 edition of Battle for the Fremont Cannon isn’t just about the cannon or the Silver State Series — it’s a chance for UNLV to cap a historic season while reigniting the fire with its most played opponent.
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