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UNLV vs North Texas (sports match)

Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.

The gist

UNLV (1-1) visits North Texas (0-1) Saturday, September 12, 2026, 3:45 p.m. ET on ESPNU.
North Texas must contain dual-threat quarterback Jackson Arnold in its home opener.

Background

UNLV enters at 1-1 after beating Hawaii 21-6 on Sept. 5, while North Texas is 0-1 after a 52-16 loss to Indiana the same day. The game is North Texas's home opener at DATCU Stadium in Denton, Texas, and is nationally televised on ESPNU. UNLV is coached by Dan Mullen and is led at quarterback by Jackson Arnold, who has passed for 407 yards with 2 touchdowns and 0 interceptions this season.

How it unfolded

  1. Sep 5, 2026UNLV beat Hawaii 21-6; Jackson Arnold passed for 116 yards and rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while Jai'Den Thomas ran for 143 yards and a score.
  2. Sep 5, 2026North Texas lost 52-16 to Indiana; Tayven Jackson passed for 192 yards with one interception, and Jahiem White ran for 61 yards and a touchdown.
  3. Sep 8, 2026North Texas athletics announced the Mean Green's home opener against UNLV at DATCU Stadium, with kickoff at 2:45 p.m. and national television on ESPNU.
  4. Sep 9, 2026A Bleacher Nation preview listed UNLV as a 3.5-point favorite, with a moneyline of Rebels -166 and Mean Green +140, and a total of 57.5 points.
  5. Sep 11, 2026The Denton Record-Chronicle's gameday preview noted UNT will need a solid performance from its defensive front to contain UNLV quarterback Jackson Arnold.
  6. Sep 12, 2026UNLV (1-1) at North Texas (0-1), 3:45 p.m. EDT on ESPNU; opening line UNLV by 3.5, with UNLV 1-1 and North Texas 1-0 against the spread.

Who’s saying what

Analysts
Bleacher Nation preview lists UNLV as favorites with a 3.5-point spread and a 57.5-point total, framing North Texas as looking to upset.
Expert
The Denton Record-Chronicle says UNT faces a dynamic dual-threat quarterback in Arnold and must keep him out of the open field.
Official
North Texas Athletics describes the matchup as the Mean Green taking on a stout UNLV team at DATCU Stadium.

Sources

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