LAS VEGAS (LVN) — As UNLV prepares to take the field in one of the most storied rivalry games in the Mountain West, Clark County officials offered a public show of support Saturday for the Rebels ahead of the annual Battle for the Fremont Cannon.
The County highlighted UNLV’s recent dominance in the series — victories in 2022, 2023 and 2024 — and said it hopes the Rebels will keep the cannon painted red for a fourth straight year in 2025. The ceremonial trophy, known as the heaviest and one of the most valuable rivalry trophies in college football, has been a signature symbol of intrastate bragging rights for decades.
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“Good luck to UNLV Football in today’s Battle for the Fremont Cannon,” the County wrote, urging fans to keep the cannon in Las Vegas and “UNLV red.” The message also encouraged the Rebels to “represent against those guys from Reno,” a familiar nod to the long-standing rivalry with the University of Nevada, Reno.
Players, alumni and supporters have long embraced the rivalry’s intensity. The winner earns the right to guard, repaint and parade the historic artillery piece — a tradition that dates back to the 1970s, when the cannon was introduced as the official trophy of the annual matchup.
UNLV enters the game looking to maintain momentum built under recent coaching and roster improvements. A win would further solidify the program’s regional standing and extend one of its most successful rivalry stretches in school history. Nevada, meanwhile, seeks to reclaim the trophy after three consecutive losses and to halt UNLV’s current run of success.
The County’s message was accompanied by a photo from UNLV Athletics, showing players celebrating near the cannon following a previous rivalry victory. The post quickly drew responses from Southern Nevada fans echoing hopes of keeping the cannon in Las Vegas.
Kickoff is scheduled for this afternoon. The winner will take the Fremont Cannon home for the year — painted either Rebel red or Wolf Pack blue — and retain bragging rights across the Silver State.
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