Minnesota and UNLV to meet in the heat _ again _ as season opener rematch arrives

MINNEAPOLIS – When Minnesota played at UNLV last year, the Gophers figured they had the summer weather in this series out of the way.

But when the two teams meet again on Thursday night, the air could feel a little bit like the desert. Temperatures have soared this week in the Twin Cities area, and forecasts have put the 6 p.m. kickoff right around 90 degrees.

In 2012, the 8 p.m. start in Nevada was 86 degrees.

Geography makes this a tough game for UNLV. The Rebels have lost 22 straight games on the road, since a win Oct. 24, 2009, at New Mexico.

Minnesota will start the season at home for the first time since 2008.