Rebels gearing up to face another potent running attack

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2001 | 10:06 a.m.

Steve Guiremand

UNLV has faced its share of talented running backs this season.

Northwestern's Damien Anderson has been mentioned as a Heisman Trophy candidate. Cedric Cobbs of Arkansas was a preseason first-team all-SEC pick. And BYU's powerful Luke Staley could be headed toward Mountain West Player of the Year honors.

Which makes the comments of UNLV defensive coordinator Mike Bradeson about San Diego State running back Larry Ned even more interesting.

"He's the best back we've played probably so far," Bradeson said. "And we've played some good ones."

The 5-foot-11, 215-pound Ned leads San Diego State (2-3, 1-1) into Sam Boyd Stadium on Saturday afternoon for an ABC Regional broadcast against the Rebels (1-4, 0-1). And the 1999 all-Mountain West pick comes in on a real roll.

Ned set a MWC single-game rushing record with a 285-yard effort in the Aztecs' 40-7 victory over Eastern Illinois on Saturday night. His numbers might have been even more eye-popping had he played in the final 18 minutes.

It was the fourth best single-game rushing total in school history. Only current St. Louis Rams star Marshall Faulk, who had efforts of 386, 300 and 299 yards, has rushed for more yards in a game in San Diego State history.

"Yeah, I wanted to go back out there because my line was lobbying for me go back out," Ned said. "But I'm content with just picking up the victory."

"(Eastern Illinois) was worn down and we had the game already won," San Diego State coach Ted Tollner said. "If it was a matter of a couple of yards maybe we would have sent him back out again. But team goals are as important as individual goals. We wanted to make sure we kept Larry fresh and healthy for the rest of the year."

Especially after what happened to Ned last season.

The preaseason all-MWC pick suffered a knee injury in fall camp, then injured his shoulder midway through the season against BYU. He ended up missing the final four games of the year and carried just 139 times for 357 yards and six touchdowns.

"I had never been injured before," Ned said. "I never had any surgeries or broken bones. But last year is forgotten now. I do still use it to motivate me, but I don't try and dwell on it."

This year Ned has managed to remain healthy and has already gained 771 yards on 134 carries (5.8 avg.) and scored eight touchdowns. His 152.4 yards per game average is third in the nation.

"He's powerful, breaks tackles and gives you great effort," Bradeson said. "A lot of times he'll take you head-on and just keep on running. He gets a lot of his yards after the first hit, so it will be important to gang up on him."

Ned, who watched helplessly from the sidelines last year when Amar Brisco stepped in front of a Lon Sheriff pass with 52 seconds remaining and raced 72 yards for the winning touchdown during a 31-24 UNLV victory, said he is looking forward to Saturday's rematch at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"It's a very big game for both teams," Ned said. "It could be the turning point of the season. We both have one loss already and if we want to extend our seasons we really can't afford another."