After Arkansas postponed the 2026 game against Memphis, the Tigers needed to add a non-conference opponent to complete the 2026 schedule. The team announced Thursday that they’ve agreed to a home-and-home series with UNLV for the 2026 and 2029 seasons.
The series will begin in Las Vegas on August 29, which will be a week zero matchup on the college football schedule. The game will also serve as Charles Huff's first game as the Tigers' head caoch.
The series will return to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on September 15, 2029.
The Rebels hired Dan Mullen as head coach prior to the 2024 season, and his team went 10-4 and appeared in the conference championship game for a second straight season. While it went on a four-game win streak to end the regular season, UNLV lost back-to-back games to end the season, including a loss to Ohio in the Scooter’s Coffee Frisco Bowl.
Mullen has been active in the transfer portal, and he has brought in a handful of Power Four transfers, including a former SEC quarterback. UNLV signed former Auburn and Oklahoma quarterback Jackson Arnold from the transfer portal, and he’ll battle for the starting quarterback job with Alex Orji, who will be returning from a leg injury that forced him to miss most of the 2025 season.
Arnold has thrown for 3,293 yards in three seasons in the SEC, and he recorded 1,309 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions in 10 games for Auburn last season.
With the addition of the Rebels, the Tigers will now play two Mountain West opponents on the road in 2026. Memphis has a road game against Boise State set for September 12.
Memphis’ complete schedule is now set, and Memphis is set to play UNLV, Arkansas State, Boise State and UT Martin in non-conference play. In conference action, the Tigers will play home games against UAB, Army, ECU and Temple, while going on the road for games against Charlotte, Navy, Tulane and USF.