BYU defense stands tough

Monday, Oct. 27, 2003 | 10:17 a.m.

UNLV could not run the ball and could not pass the ball during most of Saturday's 27-20 overtime loss to Brigham Young. Earvin Johnson could catch the ball, but other than one sustained drive in the fourth quarter, the Rebels could not move the ball against the Cougars.

While an offense that has fluctuated between inept and unimaginative probably is to blame for most of UNLV's recent woes, BYU's active 3-3-5 defense probably had a lot to do with the Rebels' problems Saturday -- even if the Rebels weren't willing to admit it.

"No, they're not special at all," said blocking back Dyante Perkins after the Rebels were held to 261 total yards, including just 110 on the ground on 44 carries for a paltry 2.5 average.

While that would seem like a special defensive performance, Perkins was reluctant to give the Cougars their due.

"We ran the ball, Earvin caught it and the quarterback didn't get hit as much as he did last week," Perkins said. "We had a couple of breakdowns but they (the Cougars) weren't like we thought they were going to be, coming out tough."

Well, perhaps it was a matter perspective. There were few complaints about the BYU defense from the other locker room after the Cougars held the Rebels in check despite five turnovers on offense and special teams.

UNLV cashed only three of the five for scores, and two of those were field goals.

"That was a key part of the game," BYU coach Gary Crowton said. "As it ended up, we kept our composure.

"We want the defense to be physical. We're getting there, although we're not where we want to be. Physical play is very important to us. Our mental frame of mind was (being) physical. That's why we were able to turn them away."

The 3-3-5 is the brainchild of Bronco Mendenhall, who brought the defense with him from New Mexico to BYU, where he is in his first year as defensive coordinator. The defense is predicated on moving men around to confuse the offense and blitzing from strange angles.

With the exception of some corner blitzes late in the game, BYU didn't bring a lot of heat on UNLV quarterback Kurt Nantkes, preferring to cover his receivers instead. It worked, as Nantkes completed just 14 of 36 passes for 161 yards.

Johnson caught seven passes for 101 yards and scored both Rebels touchdowns. But by and large, BYU was able to keep receivers in front of its defensive backs.

Mendenhall said the Cougars' game plan was to stop the run and take their chances with Johnson.

"We knew we could limit our coverage. We knew the ball was going to (Johnson)," he said. "So we were trying to pick and choose the times to double cover and other times use single coverage."

Ever the perfectionist, Mendenhall said he was disappointed the Rebels were able to drive 63 yards on nine plays to take the lead late in the game, as Johnson beat the BYU secondary on a slant-and-go pattern for a 22-yard touchdown.

"I was disappointed. I hated to see any touchdown, with the resiliency we kept to the game plan," Mendenhall said. "Any score bothers me. You just hope for one more shot."

The Cougars got that shot and drove for a touchdown that forced overtime. After BYU scored first in the extra session, the Cougars' defense took over, forcing UNLV backward until Nantkes threw a desperation interception on fourth down.

By then, considering the BYU defense had been on the field for 89 plays and 45 minutes, 14 seconds, it had to be getting tired. But if that was the case, it didn't show.

"They're not allowed to get tired," Mendenhall said.