Nevada vs UNLVFremont Cannon
A 545-pound replica howitzer, often called the heaviest and most expensive trophy in college football.
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Start a pick'em contestHow the Fremont Cannon came to be
UNLV's first head football coach, Bill Ireland, came up with the idea of a trophy for the new in-state series. Ireland was a Nevada alumnus and had coached there.
Nevada won the first meeting 30-28 in Reno on November 22, 1969, before the trophy existed.
Kennecott Copper Corp. built the trophy as a replica of the howitzer that John C. Frémont took on his 1843 expedition and later abandoned in deep snow in the Sierra Nevada.
UNLV won the first game played for the cannon, 42-30 at home in 1970, so its first coat of paint was Rebel red.
The holder used to fire the cannon after touchdowns. That ended after it was dropped and damaged during a UNLV celebration, and UNLV paid about $1,500 for repairs in 2000.
The trophy itself. A replica of the mountain howitzer explorer John C. Frémont hauled west in 1843, built by Kennecott Copper Corp. It weighs about 545 pounds and cost about $10,000, and its wooden carriage is repainted in the holder's color: navy blue for Nevada, scarlet red for UNLV.
Fremont Cannon history
- 1969
First meeting: Nevada 30, UNLV 28 in Reno (no trophy yet).
- 1970
UNLV wins 42-30 and becomes the first team to hold the cannon.
- 1978
After Nevada's first win over UNLV in four seasons, coach Chris Ault talks airport security into letting the team take the cannon apart and fly it home to Reno.
- 1983
UNLV wins 28-18 on the field, but the game was later forfeited because of NCAA sanctions for ineligible players.
- 1995
Nevada wins 55-32 in a brawl-marred game.
- 2000
The cannon is repaired after being dropped during a UNLV celebration and has not been fired since.
- 2012
Nevada's eighth straight win, the longest streak in the series (2005-2012).
- 2025
UNLV wins 42-17 in Reno on November 29 for its fourth straight win and keeps the cannon red.
Recent results
| Season | Result | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | UNLV Rebels 42, Nevada Wolf Pack 17 | Mackay Stadium |
| 2024 | UNLV Rebels 38, Nevada Wolf Pack 14 | Allegiant Stadium |
| 2023 | UNLV Rebels 45, Nevada Wolf Pack 27 | Mackay Stadium |
| 2022 | UNLV Rebels 27, Nevada Wolf Pack 22 | Allegiant Stadium |
| 2021 | Nevada Wolf Pack 51, UNLV Rebels 20 | Mackay Stadium |
Fremont Cannon facts worth knowing
At about 545 pounds and roughly $10,000 to build, the Fremont Cannon is often called the heaviest and most expensive trophy in college football.
In 1978, Nevada took the cannon apart and brought it home on a commercial flight after Chris Ault persuaded airport security to allow it.
The cannon used to be fired after touchdowns, but it has been silent since it was damaged in a UNLV celebration and repaired in 2000.
Winners repaint the carriage in their color, so you can tell who holds the trophy just by looking at it.
Nevada holds the longest streak in the series, eight straight wins from 2005 to 2012. UNLV has won the last four (2022-2025).
Frequently asked questions
What is the Fremont Cannon?+
The Fremont Cannon is the trophy Nevada and UNLV play for in college football, first awarded in 1970. A replica of the mountain howitzer explorer John C. Frémont hauled west in 1843, built by Kennecott Copper Corp. It weighs about 545 pounds and cost about $10,000, and its wooden carriage is repainted in the holder's color: navy blue for Nevada, scarlet red for UNLV.
How did the Fremont Cannon come to be?+
UNLV's first head football coach, Bill Ireland, came up with the idea of a trophy for the new in-state series. Ireland was a Nevada alumnus and had coached there.
Who has the Fremont Cannon right now?+
UNLV holds the Fremont Cannon after winning the 2025 game, UNLV 42, Nevada 17. The live block on this page updates as soon as the next meeting is played.
Who leads the Nevada-UNLV series?+
Nevada leads the all-time series 29-22 as of the end of the 2025 season. In games played for the Fremont Cannon since 1970, Nevada leads 28-22. Counts UNLV's forfeited 1983 win for Nevada; UNLV's own count is 28-23.
When is the next Fremont Cannon game?+
Nevada Wolf Pack play at UNLV Rebels on Saturday, Nov 28, 2026 at Allegiant Stadium. Odds and the community lean post on the matchup page as the game approaches.
Where can I bet on the Fremont Cannon game?+
You can bet Nevada vs UNLV on BettorEdge, a peer-to-peer marketplace where you trade with other bettors rather than a sportsbook, so the price carries no built-in house vig. You can also run a free pick'em contest for the game with your group.
More college football
Records and the current holder are as of the end of the 2025 season; the next-game block and recent results update from ESPN. Counts UNLV's forfeited 1983 win for Nevada; UNLV's own count is 28-23.Sources: en.wikipedia.org, unlvrebels.com, nevadawolfpack.com, nevadasportsnet.com.
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