Friday, Oct. 31, 2003 | 9:53 a.m.
UNLV's defense knows it has a big test in front of it when the Rebels (4-4, 0-3) try to snap their three-game losing streak at New Mexico (5-3, 2-1) on Saturday night at University Stadium in Albuquerque.
A very big test ... literally and figuratively.
The Lobos have one of the nation's largest offensive lines averaging 320.2 pounds per man. And that unit put its size and strength to good use last week in a 47-35 spanking of 23rd-ranked Utah in Salt Lake City as the Lobos rushed for 407 yards en route to 633 yards of total offense.
The leader of that group, all-Mountain West Conference 6-foot-5, 312-pound senior tackle Jason Lenzmeier, hit a milestone on Monday when he became the first offensive lineman in MWC history to earn conference offensive player of the week honors.
"They could have given it to any of our five linemen," Lenzmeier, who had 15 knockdown blocks and received a 99 percent assignment grade, said. "I'm just the oldest, so they gave it to me."
It certainly wasn't awarded on size or Lenzmeier would have finished fourth behind sophomore center Ryan Cook (6-foot-7, 339) and guards Claude Terrell (6-foot-3, 330) and Robert Turner (6-foot-3, 320). The other Lobo tackle, Justin Colbert, is the group's small-fry at 6-foot-4 and an even 300 pounds.
"Without a doubt they're as good as any offensive line we've played against this year," junior linebacker Ryan Claridge said. "They're very physical and they're all very big guys. I mean, their center is 6-foot-7 which should tell you something."
The Rebels will counter with a defensive line that features just one starter, senior defensive end Dietrich Canterberry (6-foot-4, 310), and one reserve, backup nose tackle Howie Fuimaono (6-foot-0, 320), that top the 300-pound mark.
Claridge, who weighs just 245 pounds, says it will be up to the Rebels to use their excellent quickness to counter the Lobos' huge size advantage.
"We're a little bit undersized but that's where our speed comes into play," Claridge said. "It's speed against size so we'll see who gets the better outcome."
Besides a big and veteran offensive line, the Lobos also have two of the conference's top running backs in sophomore DonTrell Moore (154 carries, 725 yards, 13 TDs) and junior D.D. Cox (90 carries, 484 yards, 6 TDs).
"Any time you have great size along the line like they do makes it hard to fine their backs," Claridge said. "That's why as a defender we have to play on the edges and play fast."
UNLV more than likely needs to win three of its final four games to notch a post-season bowl bid. An upset victory against the Lobos would be a big first step in that regard.
"I'm looking forward to it," Claridge, who has 45 tackles and three sacks, said. "We're a bunch of competitors. We're all going to do down there and compete. If we can get two more victories we'd be 6-6 and bowl eligible. Three more wins and I think we're set to go."
Still, it will take a big effort by the Rebel defense against a very big New Mexico offensive line for UNLV to have any chance of pulling the upset on Saturday.
No problem according to Claridge.
"I've been eating extra this week," he said with a smile.
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