Once Rebels, now Knight Hawks: UNLV duo chasing IFL championship

The Vegas Knight Hawks are set to begin their 2026 playoff run against the Arizona Rattlers on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and will look to defend their 2025 IFL championship with some new additions and familiar faces for UNLV football fans.

Former Rebels defensive back Latterance Welch and wide receiver Senika McKie signed with the local franchise following their senior seasons with the UNLV football program in 2025.

Both have played key roles in the Knight Hawks’ success this season, helping Las Vegas finish second in the Western Conference with a 12-4 record, trailing only the San Diego Strike Force.

McKie even landed on SportsCenter’s Top 10 after hauling in a last-second Hail Mary touchdown that sent him crashing into the end-zone wall during Las Vegas’ 43-42 comeback victory over the San Antonio Gunslingers earlier this season.

Despite not being part of the Knight Hawks’ 2025 championship team, McKie said the winning culture that fueled last year’s title remains firmly in place.

“Everyone is big on showing up every day just to get better and to work,” McKie said. “We’re big on coming together and playing as one no matter what situation we’re in.

“We treat it like a boxing match; we never give up, and we just keep throwing punches.”

That mentality is familiar to McKie after helping UNLV reach three consecutive Mountain West championship games, where the Rebels routinely found ways to win close contests during the season.

“Having the opportunity to come back to (Las Vegas) is an amazing feeling; I treat Vegas like it is home,” McKie said. “We always have fans at the games wearing UNLV gear and showing their love and support.

“Having another former Rebel just makes it feel like home. When (Welch) is out on the field, I am rooting for him. Once a Rebel, always a Rebel.”

After helping the Rebels win 30 games over the previous three seasons, McKie believes the connection between Las Vegas fans and local football has carried over to the Knight Hawks.

“I believe everything all ties together,” McKie said. “There is just that natural connection between the fans and the players that was built over a couple of years. There is that sense of family.”

Vegas swept the season series against Arizona, including a 14-point home victory in July, and now needs three consecutive wins to repeat as IFL champions, beginning with Sunday’s first-round playoff matchup.

“To win a championship would mean everything,” McKie said. “I wouldn’t even be able to describe the feeling; it would be so surreal.

“Building on what this organization has already accomplished, we’re trying to continue to head in the right direction and stack championships.”

Tickets for Sunday’s playoff game at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson are available through the Knight Hawks, with prices starting at $28.