Saturday’s matchup: UNLV (2-6, 1-3) vs. Wyoming (5-3, 2-2)

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Nov. 5, 2004 | 10:43 a.m.

Steve Guiremand

WHEN WYOMING HAS THE BALL

Wyoming run offense vs. UNLV run defense

A big key for the Cowboys in their turnaround this year has been their drastic improvement in the running game. A year ago Wyoming ranked 115th in the nation in rushing offense (84.4 yards per game) and averaged a pitiful 2.7 yards per carry. This year the Cowboys have almost doubled those figures, averaging 153.5 yards per game and 3.8 yards per carry. Highly-touted junior college transfer Joe Harris (76 carries, 373 yards, 4.9 avg.) is healthy again after a mid-season ankle injury and is a powerful inside runner. He is complemented nicely by explosive sophomore Ivan Harrison (87 carries, 357 yards). They'll be going against a UNLV defense that ranks just 92nd in the nation, allowing 195.4 yards per game.

Edge: Wyoming

Wyoming pass offense vs. UNLV pass defense

Junior quarterback Corey Bramlet has thrown for 256 yards in back-to-back games against Colorado State and Air Force and ranks third in the Mountain West Conference in total offense with an average of 223.9 yards per game. He's coming in off his finest game as a starter in a 43-26 win against the Falcons, when he completed 19 of 27 passes and threw for two touchdowns and no interceptions while rushing for another 67 yards on 13 carries. Junior Jovon Bouknight (38 catches, 577 yards, 4 TDs) is one of the best-kept secrets in the conference and is a receiver in the Earvin Johnson mold. UNLV ranks a solid 48th nationally in pass defense and held the Pokes to just 170 passing yards a year ago in Laramie.

Edge: UNLV

WHEN UNLV HAS THE BALL

UNLV run offense vs. Wyoming run defense

Wyoming's defense, led by safety John Wendling and linebackers Guy Tuell and Randy Tscharner, has made big strides this year in defending the run. A year ago the Cowboys ranked 114th in the nation in run defense, allowing 230.4 yards and 5.0 yards per carry. This year it is down to a much more respectable 158.4 yards per game and 3.9 yards per carry. But Wyoming has shown signs of wearing down in recent weeks as BYU (237) and Colorado State (251), who are ranked 103rd and 111th nationally in rushing offense, ran the ball surprisingly well on them. Enter UNLV senior tailback Dominique Dorsey, who leads the Mountain West in rushing (118.2 ypg), and should be well-rested after a bye week.

Edge: UNLV

UNLV pass offense vs. Wyoming pass defense

UNLV has struggled badly throwing the ball this year and ranks just 98th in the nation in pass offense. Quarterbacks Shane Steichen and Kurt Nantkes have combined to throw just seven touchdown passes compared to 12 interceptions. The one bright spot has been senior wide receiver Earvin Johnson (43 catches, 585 yards, 6 TDs), who was named a Biletnikoff Award semifinalist this week. Wyoming has one of the top corners in the conference in sophomore Derrick Martin, who was named national player of the week following the Pokes' 37-32 upset of Ole Miss. However, boundary corner Terrance Butler hasn't practiced all week due to an ankle injury and is questionable. Wyoming ranks seventh in the MWC in pass defense, allowing 230.8 yards per game.

Edge: Even.

SPECIAL TEAMS

UNLV punter Gary Cook ranks 17th in the nation with a 43.6 average and will need to be at his best against the conference's best punt return team. Wyoming is averaging an outstanding 15.6 yards per return, including two for touchdowns. Freshman Hoost Marsh leads the MWC and ranks 28th nationally with an average of 12.4 yards per return. Cowboy junior placekicker Deric Yaussi is 10th in the nation in field goals (13 of 16, 81.2 percent) and is 23 of 23 on PATs.

Edge: Wyoming

INTANGIBLES

This is Senior Day for the well-rested Rebels who will be playing their final home game of the season. Have to figure that players such as Adam Seward, Jamaal Brimmer and Dominique Dorsey want to go out with a win and will give it their all despite the fact their bowl hopes evaporated with loss at Utah. Saturday will mark the five-year anniversary of the last conference road win by the Cowboys, a span of 17 games. The Pokes have been outscored 85-20 in three road losses this year.

Edge: UNLV

COACHING

If not for Utah's remarkable run toward a possible BCS bowl berth, Wyoming coach Joe Glenn would be a shoo-in for Mountain West Conference coach of the year. UNLV's John Robinson is 5-0 against the Cowboys in his career.

Edge: Even.

KEYS TO VICTORY

To win, Wyoming must ...

1. Start quickly. With a 17-game road losing streak hanging over their heads, the Cowboys need to gain some confidence by taking an early lead.

2. Stop the run. If teams such as BYU and Colorado State can run for well over 200 yards, think what Dominique Dorsey can do.

3. Force interceptions. Wyoming is tied for the conference lead with 11 picks while UNLV quarterbacks Kurt Nantkes and Shane Steichen have combined to throw 12 interceptions.

To win, UNLV must ...

1. Turn Dorsey loose. The Mountain West rushing leader has had an extra week to rest his legs and should be in top form for this one.

2. Throw effectively. Nantkes and Steichen must avoid interceptions and do their part to keep the chains moving.

3. Play well on special teams. The Cowboys are talented enough to get a touchdown or two by returning a punt or blocking one.