Toledo (0-0) at UNLV (0-0)

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Aug. 29, 2003 | 9:39 a.m.

No. / Name / Pos.

1 Larry Croom RB

3 Ruschard Dodd-Masters DB

4 Earvin Johnson WR

5 Dyante Perkins RB

6 Scott Turner QB

7 Kurt Nantkes QB

8 Michael Johnson WR

9 Shane Steichen QB

10 Dominique Dorsey RB

11 Tyler Arciaga QB

13 Solomon Smart DB

14 Ernest Gordon DB

15 Daniel Jones DB

16 Gary Cook P

17 Terry Furlow WR/QB

18 Joe Longo QB

19 Nate Wederquist WR

20 Deon Burnett RB

21 Tremayne Kirkland WR

22 Jason Rogers DB

24 Alvin Marshall RB/WR

25 Sean Mackey DB

26 Erick Jackson RB

27 Jamaal Brimmer DB

28 Will Tagoai DB

29 Royce Boone RB

30 Bryan Cortney PK

31 Mike Clancey DB

32 Reggie Butler LB

33 Brian Adams DB

34 Aaron Miller DB

35 Andrew Faga RB

36 Reggie Turner DB

37 David Olsen DB

38 Derek Olsen LB

39 Faauo Faga LB

40 Mike Frazier DB

41 Hubi Schulze Zumkley PK

42 Jay Staggs DB

43 Trent Williams DB

44 Sergio Aguayo PK

45 Joe Miklos DB

46 Zach Bell LB

47 Chris Eagen DL

48 Steve Vaccaro TE

49 Ryan Claridge LB

50 Kareem Merhi LB

51 Cameron Wilson LB

52 John Andrews LB

53 Ryan Welter LB

54 Aaron Mueller OL

55 Adam Seward LB

56 Joe Critchfield OL

57 Sam Yeganeh OL

58 Terrence Young LB

59 Mike Tinoisamoa LB

61 Harvey Robinson OL

63 Brandon Gray OL

64 Steve Lawless DL

68 Zach Gorham OL

69 Steve Bautista OL

70 Marco Guerra OL

71 Matt Williams OL

72 Ryan Heise DL/LS

73 Dominic Furio OL

74 Mike McKiski OL

75 Marcus Bryan OL

76 Marcus Johnson OL

78 Tyler Crandal OL

79 Tim Goins OL

80 Phil Cosenza TE

81 Donell Wheaton WR

82 Kevin Baird TE

83 Shelvion Williams WR

84 David Relf WR

85 Marques Johnson WR

86 Greg Estandia TE

87 Michael Freund RB

88 Joe Del Castillo TE

89 Adam Gajo WR

90 Matt Seccombe LB

91 Dietrich Canterberry DL

92 Brian Nicholson DL

93 Josh Mareko DL

94 Ryan Clifford TE

95 Dillon Pieffer PK

96 Jason Luxenburg TE

97 Pete Dunbar DE

98 Leon Moore DE

99 Joe Oniwor DL

No. / Name / Pos.

1 Lance Moore WR

2 Astin Martin TB

3 Michael Broussard LB

4 Paul Dye LB

5 Cedric Stevens QB

6 Keon Jackson Rover

7 Bruce Gradkowski QB

8 David Thomas LB

9 Terrance Hudson WR

10 Scooter McDougle RB

11 Patrick Body FS

12 Brandon Hefflin CB

13 Marquis Martin WR

14 Shawn Nixon WR

15 Corterris Reese WR

19 Jason Flowers CB

20 Pete Lepley WR

21 Jamar Landrom DB

22 David Mentlow CB

23 Quinton Broussard TB

24 Jason Robbins PK

25 Lance Heffner FS

26 Lance Johnson RB/DB

27 James Monds DB

28 Anthony Abron DE

30 Antonio Malone CB

31 Jason Cox P

32 Adam Cuomo TB

33 Tim Averhart FS

34 Rodney Gamby Whip

35 Seth Thitoff LB

36 Patrick Gray Rover

37 Nigel Morris DB

38 Trinity Dawson TB

39 Shaun Fitzgibbons LB

40 Anthony Jordan LB

41 Brandon Hannum P

42 Brock Dodrill LB

43 Don Gaines DL

44 Mike Alston LB

45 Patrick Power LB

46 Travis Williams RB/DB

47 David Chudzinski PK

48 Kareem Ferguson LB

49 Creed Miller WR

51 David Odenthal C

53 Ray Turner DL

54 Kevin Morgan DL

55 Robert Menefee DL

56 Jerome Walker DL

59 Jered Kingsborough LB

61 Tyree Pollard DL

62 Michael Heuer C

63 Jerry Aguwa OL

64 David Perkins OL

65 Darric Randolph OL

67 Wael Jarbou OL

69 Jesse Anderson OL

70 Hassan Adebesin OL

71 Justin Tharp OL

72 Tim Dirksen OL

73 Chad Diggs OL

74 Erik Faasen OL

75 Nate Jones OL

76 Chris Wakeman OL

78 Mike Sacco OL

79 John Greco OL

80 Steve Odom WR

81 Chris Holmes TE

82 Kenny Higgins WR

83 Eric Robinson WR

84 Chris Charleton WR

85 David Washington WR

86 Josh Powell TE

87 Patrick Clark DL

88 Terrance Partee TE

89 Andrew Clarke TE

90 Melvin Butler DE

91 Christian Hopkins TE

92 Charles Menefee DL

93 Ryan Ratermann DL

95 Chaz Williams DL

96 J.P. Bekasiak DL

97 Lantz Jeudy DL

98 Phil Alexander DL

99 Frank Ofili DL

WHEN TOLEDO HAS THE BALL Toledo run offense vs. UNLV run defense The Rockets, led by two-time all-MAC left tackle Nick Kaczur (6-5, 320) and huge right tackle Erik Faasen (6-8, 353), return four starters from an offensive line that averaged 320 pounds a year ago and at times manhandled UNLV up front. Toledo has a trio of talented sophomore running backs -- Quinton Broussard, Astin Martin and Trinity Dawson -- who performed well the second half of the 2002 season after sixth-year senior William Bratton went down with an ankle injury. All three are expected to rotate into the game. With two inexperienced quarterbacks in sophomore Bruce Gradkowski and junior Cedric Stevens expected to split time, it figures Toledo will focus on trying to establish the run early. UNLV's rush defense was so-so in 2002, allowing an average of 159.1 yards per game. However, the r eturn of junior inside linebacker Ryan Claridge and the addition of speedy outside linebackers Reggie Butler and John Andre! ws should help in that regard.

Edge: Toledo.

Toledo pass offense vs. UNLV pass defense The Rockets lost a good one in record-setting quarterback Brian Jones, who led the nation in completion percentage (.702) and who also could hurt teams with his scrambling ability. Sophomore Bruce Gradkowski will make his first college start. He also is a dangerous runner with 4.5 speed and comes from the same conference in Pittsburgh that produced quarterback greats like Johnny Lujack, George Blanda, Joe Namath, Joe Montana and Dan Marino. He was named to the "Fab 22 Team" by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as both a junior and a senior. The Rockets must replace three starting wide receivers who combined for 176 receptions a year ago. Look for Gradkowski to throw to two talented tight ends, Andrew Clarke and Chris Holmes, early and often. UNLV's secondary features reigning Mountain West Conference defensive player o f the year Jamaal Brimmer but the junior from Durango High is better known for his blitzing than his pass coverage. The Reb! els, who finished a dismal 84th in pass defense a year ago, have three new starters in the secondary.

Edge: Toledo.

WHEN UNLV HAS THE BALL UNLV run offense vs. Toledo run defense Toledo returns all four starters on a defensive line that steadily improved last season. However, the Rockets must replace the heart and soul of their defense in first team all-MAC linebackers Tom Ward and David Gardner. Toledo will start a redshirt freshman, Rodney Gamby (5-10, 197), a sophomore, Anthony Jordan (6-3, 230) and a junior in Brock Dodrill (6-2, 217) at linebacker. UNLV finished 15th nationally in rushing a year ago with an average of 214.4 yards per game and has a bigger, stronger and better offensive line than a year ago thanks in part to the addition of J.C. All-American guard Joe Critchfield. The Rebels go a solid four deep at tailback with starter Larry Croom coming off a memorable 222-yard, 20-carry performance in last year's season-ending 36-33 upset of 13th ranked Colorad o State. Junior Dyante Perkins of Bishop Gorman High adds another weapon at fullback after an impressive fall camp.

Edge: UNLV. UNLV pass offense vs. Toledo pass defense Led by senior all-MAC cornerback Brandon Hefflin and junior free safety Patrick Body, the Rockets have a good secondary that is battle-tested after facing the likes of Byron Leftwich of Marshall and Miami of Ohio star Ben Roethlisberger last season as well as Pittsburgh All-American wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald. UNLV quarterback Kurt Nantkes is a much more accurate passer than Jason Thomas was a year ago and has a veteran group of receivers to throw to including underrated senior Michael Johnson. J.C. transfer Greg Estandia gives the Rebels another good threat at tight end. All-Mountain West pick Earvin Johnson is suspended for tonight's game.

Edge: UNLV. SPECIAL TEAMS The biggest problem for Toledo will be trying to replace Donta' Greene, one of the top return men in the nation a year ago. Both kicker Jason Robbins as well as punters Brandon Hannum and Jason Cox return. UNLV senior placekicker Dillon Pieffer has been impressive in fall camp in terms of both accuracy and distance. Punter Gary Cook had an amazing 20 of his last 46 punts a year ago downed inside the opponents' 20-yard line. The big difference for the Rebels will be the return game where a healthy Dominique Dorsey combined with talented J.C. transfer Alvin Marshall and explosive freshman Tremayne Kirkland give the Rebels three very dangerous return threats.

Edge: UNLV. INTANGIBLES John Robinson called last season's uninspired 38-21 drubbing by the Rockets in Toledo one of his most embarrassing coaching defeats, a fact that hasn't been lost by his players during a very intense training camp. The Rebels know they can ill afford another 0-4 start if they are to go bowling this year and figure to be much more focused this time around. It's never easy to break in a new quarterback on the road and on national TV as Toledo coach Tom Amstutz must do.

Edge: UNLV. COACHING Toledo has gone a combined 19-7 in Tom Amstutz's first two years as head coach and made back-to-back Motor City Bowl appearances. UNLV coach John Robinson has upgraded his talent with his best recruiting class and also significantly upgraded his coaching staff with the addition of 1996 national coach of the year Bruce Snyder. The Rebels also get an edge in preparation for the game thanks to the addition of new wide receivers coach Garrick McGee, who was a Rockets assistant last year and should have a good feel for Toledo's players and game plan.

Edge: UNLV. KEYS TO VICTORY To win, Toledo must ... 1. Establish the run. With a pair of inexperienced quarterbacks and a new group of wide receivers to break in, the Rockets need to be able to rush the football effectively to help open up their short passing game.

2. Get solid quarterback play. Both Bruce Gradkowski and Cedric Stevens have impressive resumes but will be making the big jump to starting in Division I football on the road and on national TV.

3. Protect the quarterback. The Rebels plan to blitz from all angles ala New Mexico which could result in a lot of sacks and turnovers.

To win, UNLV must ... 1. Start fast. The Rebels need a big play from the defense to get the crowd involved and put the Rockets and their inexperienced QBs on their heels.

2. Stop the run. Toledo has a huge offensive line which could wear the Rebels defense down with some long drives in the 100-degree heat.

3. Mix it up on offense. The Rebels finally have an effective passing game to go along with what should be one of the top running games on the West Coast.

THE PICK UNLV 28, Toledo 21

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