UPDATE: The Fremont Cannon is going to get a new paint job after the University of Nevada Reno demolished UNLV 45 to 10.
Nevada pulled ahead with a comfortable 17-0 in the first half and solidified their victory with 18 unanswered points in the last two quarters.
Once painted Rebel red, the Fremont Cannon is heading up north to Reno where it will be painted silver and blue.
ORIGINAL STORY
The annual Battle for the Fremont Cannon between UNLV (4-7/3-4 Mountain West) and University of Nevada Reno (4-7/2-5 Mountain West) is happening Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.
The first football game between the two Nevada teams happened in 1969 with Nevada defeating UNLV. The cannon was built the following year (1970) and is a replica of a 19th-century Howitzer cannon that accompanied American explorer and politician John C. Fremont on an expedition to Nevada in the mid-19th century.
UNLV was the first team to actually win the cannon and is the current holder of the cannon after winning 23-17 in 2015 in Reno. The cannon's wooden carriage is painted the school color of the winning team for that year -- navy blue for Nevada and red for UNLV.
The rivalry is also part of the Governor's Series presented by NV Energy and Barrick Gold and the winner will earn three points for their school in the all-encompassing athletic and academic competition that UNLV has won all four years since its debut.
It is also Senior Day for the Rebels, who will honor 16 departing players on the field during pre-game ceremonies.
Kickoff is at 1:04 p.m. The first 2,500 fans will receive a UNLV hat courtesy of Findlay Toyota.
An after party will take place at Beer Park inside Paris Las Vegas. Anyone who is wearing fan gear or has a valid university ID will receive a free Bud Signature draft upon entry.
