College football is back on FOX, and Saturday night’s Week 0 spotlight belongs to Memphis at UNLV. The Tigers and Rebels meet for the first time at Allegiant Stadium, with kickoff set for 10 p.m. ET on FOX and live streaming available on FOX One.
The late FOX window brings a fresh start for both teams. Memphis opens the Charles Huff era after adding 81 newcomers, including 61 transfers, while Dan Mullen begins Year 2 at UNLV after guiding the Rebels to a 10-4 record and a spot in the 2025 Mountain West Championship Game.
There is no history to lean on here. This is the first meeting between Memphis and UNLV, and both teams enter with quarterback questions still being sorted out. That puts extra weight on the proven playmakers around them.
Memphis rebuilt the roster for Charles Huff’s first season, but Dallan Hayden gives the offense one proven place to start. The redshirt senior brings 1,185 career rushing yards and eight touchdowns into the opener, valuable experience while the Tigers sort through their new pieces. His work Saturday can shape the entire game. If Hayden keeps Memphis ahead of the chains, he can take pressure off the quarterback rotation, quiet the crowd and keep UNLV’s offense on the sideline. A steady night from Hayden would give Memphis exactly the kind of foundation it needs in Huff’s debut.
J’Mond Tapp followed Huff from Southern Miss after piling up 7.5 sacks and earning first-team All-Sun Belt honors in 2025. Now he gets the first chance to set the edge for a Memphis defense featuring plenty of new faces. The matchup puts him directly in the path of UNLV’s biggest strength: a rushing attack led by 1,000-yard back Jai’Den Thomas. If Tapp wins on early downs and makes the Rebels play from behind the sticks, he can simplify the night for the Tigers’ rebuilt defense. Memphis needs disruption up front, and Tapp is built to provide it.
Jai’Den Thomas is the engine of the UNLV offense until somebody proves otherwise. He ran for 1,036 yards and 12 touchdowns last season while averaging 7.0 yards per carry, then added 39 catches for 237 yards and another score. That all-around production makes him a tough opening assignment for a Memphis defense assembled largely through the transfer portal. Thomas can punish a missed fit between the tackles or turn a short throw into a chunk play. If he gets rolling early, the Rebels can keep their quarterbacks in comfortable situations and make Memphis chase the game.
Jake Pope gives UNLV an experienced organizer on the back end against a Memphis offense full of new personnel. The senior safety finished 2025 with 81 tackles, three tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception and five pass breakups. His value Saturday goes beyond the box score. Pope has to identify formations, keep explosive plays in check and make sure the Rebels tackle cleanly in space. If he sees the Tigers’ plan quickly, UNLV can force Memphis to earn every yard instead of handing the new-look offense easy momentum in the first game of the Huff era.
Yes. FOX One streams Memphis at UNLV live. Coverage begins Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.
Follow the full college football schedule for game times, TV information and updates throughout the season.
