UNLV Football ranked in major poll for first time in program history

LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — For the first time in program history, UNLV Football has been ranked in at least one of the two major college football polls.

The team was ranked No. 25 in USA Today's U.S. LBM Coaches Poll, the publication announced on Sunday.

So far this season, UNLV is undefeated with a 3-0 record, including a 23-20 over Kansas on Friday. The last time the team started the season with that record was 1984 when UNLV was a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association. (It was later renamed Big West.)

"We are certainly excited about the start of our season," head coach Barry Odom said in a press release. "Our team understands the importance of preparation and how huge each opportunity is for our program. We need to improve in all three phases of the game to continue to play winning football."

"It's an accomplishment, but I don't think it really means much," UNLV quarterback Matthew Sluka said. "Yeah it's only week three. We got a lot of teams to play coming up. It's an acknowledgment to our hard work so far, but it doesn't really mean much yet. We got to keep going and keep rolling until the season is over."

The UNLV Football program moved up to Division I in 1978 and while they have received votes in the polls in multiple seasons, this is the first time they have reached the Top 25.

In addition to the team being ranked in the Top 25, two UNLV players have picked up awards from the Mountain West this week.

Linebacker Jackson Woodard has been named the Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks. The All-America candidate is the first UNLV linebacker to win more than one Mountain West weekly award in the same season since Beau Bell in 2007.

Placekicker Caden Chittenden was also named the Mountain West Special Teams Player of the Week and the Freshman of the Week. Just last week, running back Greg Burrell was named the Freshman of the Week.

This is an off week for the Rebels before they host Fresno State on Saturday, Sept. 28 at Allegiant Stadium. They are looking to go 4-0, which hasn't happened since 1976.

Kick-off is set for 12:30 p.m.

To honor the Top 25 achievement, UNLV Football is offering $25 tickets for the next 25 hours or 4 p.m. on Monday through 5 p.m. on Tuesday.

Fans can visit the UNLV Tickets Promo website and use the promo code "TOP25" to get their $25 and parking through 5 p.m. on Tuesday. There is a maximum number of eight tickets that can be purchased at a time and that's while supplies last.

Additional parking has also been put on sale, starting at $25, while supplies last.