:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/34893523/459977737.0.jpg)
The UNLV Rebels football team received some very good news Thursday as the NCAA accepted their updated APR score which ultimately overturned a bowl ban that was handed down to the Rebels in April.
The Rebels first appeal was shot down but then there were adjustments to the 2009-10 and 2012-13 academic year that prompted for an increase in their APR score, and that is how UNLV was able to become bowl eligible. It is not mentioned but the loss of practice hours which were handed down with the bowl ban will likely be reinstated as well.
"Obviously we are excited to be eligible to play in the Mountain West Championship game and a bowl this season," UNLV head coach Bobby Hauck said in a statement. "Nearly every man in our program stayed together through this - remained a team."
According to some this might be the biggest thing ever to happen to UNLV football.
Could be RT @TheBNPodcast: Biggest win in UNLV Football history. RT @McMurphyESPN: UNLV wins APR appeal, eligible for bowl game this year
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyESPN) June 26, 2014
This is a huge boost for the UNLV program who likely could have mailed it in this season with very little to play for, and the Rebels actually lost a very good player in offensive lineman Cameron Jefferson who transferred to Arkansas, and running back Adonis Smith left for Arizona. When the bowl ban was announced UNLV players were able to transfer without penalty and that is what Jefferson did.
Now with this good news the Rebels have a shot to make it to back-to-back bowl games for the first time in program history.
Also, who would have thought the NCAA would do something nice towards UNLV athletics.