LAS VEGAS — Memphis will arrive at Allegiant Stadium with a new staff, more than 70 newcomers and no game film showing how they play together. UNLV has studied the coaches’ previous teams, but Dan Mullen expects the Rebels to learn some of the Tigers’ plans only after Saturday’s opener begins.
“There’s no film on the team we’re playing,” Mullen said Monday. “I can’t watch one play of this team. There are new faces, new coaches, new everything.”
Charles Huff took over after one season at Southern Miss, and several players followed him to Memphis. The Tigers also added transfers from elsewhere and have not publicly named a starting quarterback. That leaves UNLV preparing for the systems the new staff has run without knowing exactly how Huff will use his rebuilt roster.
Offensive coordinator Kevin Decker’s work at Old Dominion has been one starting point. Mullen expects Memphis to spread receivers across the field, use tempo and create one-on-one matchups, with size and speed at receiver and running back. UNLV’s defenders still have to recognize the formation and their responsibility when Decker presents those ideas with different players.
“So much has to be based on yourself when you get into Week 1 and your execution,” Mullen said. “No matter what we prepare them for, it’s going to look a little different on game day and feel a little different on game day.”
Decker’s previous offense was more than a passing reference for the scouting report. Memphis’ announcement of his hiring noted that Old Dominion finished the 2025 regular season seventh nationally in rushing offense at 236.9 yards per game and fifth in yards per completion at 14.92. Those are separate threats for UNLV’s secondary: helping against the run cannot mean losing receivers behind the coverage. The numbers establish what Decker’s former team produced, rather than which calls he will use with the Tigers.
On the other side, defensive coordinator Lance Guidry is reuniting with Huff after coordinating Marshall’s defense in 2021 and 2022. Memphis’ hiring announcement credited the 2022 unit with allowing 16 points per game and intercepting 18 passes. His return gives UNLV another coaching history to study, but the Rebels cannot assume every tendency survived the move through Miami and into a different roster.
UNLV’s continuity is relative, too. The school lists seven returning starters and 32 lettermen, up from two returning starters a year ago. Familiarity with Mullen’s routines still leaves new players making many of Saturday’s decisions.
Mullen has been through a similar change. UNLV followed an 11-win season with roughly 80 new players and an entirely new staff in 2025. Opponents could study what he had done elsewhere, but the previous Rebels were a limited guide to his first UNLV team. He expects Huff’s players to bring the energy that accompanied his own program’s reset.
“They’re gonna bring a lot of juice, a lot of energy, and they know it’s a big game,” Mullen said.
UNLV’s returning players know the weekly routine and base calls, giving the staff a foundation for adjustments during the opener.
“If you ever know me, I’m never comfortable going in,” Mullen said. “I think where I’m more comfortable is the routine of the coaches, the routine of a lot of the players and the understanding of what our game week is like.”
That continuity extends to reserves and redshirts. Mullen said counting returning starters misses players who prepared for opponents each week and now have a better understanding of what the staff asks them to do.
“Everyone gets caught up in starters,” he said. “What’s important to me is: Are our guys ready to play?”
“Having those veteran players, I think making those small adjustments is a little bit easier,” Mullen said.
The veterans’ familiarity also has to reach the players taking their first college snaps. Freshman receiver Peyton Zachary has handled the speed and adjustments well, Mullen said. The mental work often takes freshmen longer than the physical demands. Even players who have practiced well have yet to handle a crowd, game speed and an opponent whose reactions differ from the familiar defense across from them in camp.
“You just can’t simulate that in practice,” Mullen said.
“I want to see us play with great effort, but handle the situation, the adjustment and the speed of the game,” Mullen said. “I want to see us handle the emotional roller coaster that occurs during the course of the game.”
“We get to see what type of team we have, where we’re at,” he said. “This team’s never played anybody.”
The opener is UNLV’s last home game until Cal visits in early October. Trips to Hawai‘i, North Texas and Akron follow, making Saturday the Rebels’ only chance to win at Allegiant before that road stretch. Mullen also expects the result to remain relevant if both teams stay in their conference races.
“You might not feel it after this game, but there’s going to be a lot of discussion about this game as the season goes on, especially late into November,” he said. “You’ve got to be able to win at home if you want to be successful.”
Kickoff is at 7:10 p.m. Saturday on Fox.
