Saturday’a matchup: UNLV (2-8, 1-5) at San Diego State (3-7, 1-5)

Friday, Nov. 19, 2004 | 9:58 a.m.

WHEN UNLV HAS THE BALL

UNLV run offense vs. San Diego State run defense

Expect the Aztecs, much like Colorado State last week, to put eight and nine men in the box to try and stop elusive Mountain West rushing leader Dominique Dorsey (1,215 yards). Considering UNLV's anemic passing attack, why not? The Rebels continue to move up the conference charts in rushing with an average of 182.3 yards per game. Only option-oriented Air Force (267.8 yards per game) and undefeated Utah (234.0 ypg) rank above them. Redshirt freshman Mike McKiski takes over for the injured Marco Guerra (broken leg) at left tackle. The Aztecs' Dark Side defense, led by All-American linebacker Kirk Morrison, will be without standout run stopper Matt McCoy (broken wrist). San Diego State ranks third in the Mountain West Conference in run defense.

Edge: UNLV

UNLV pass offense vs. San Diego State pass defense

San Diego State's pass defense has struggled in recent weeks and the Aztecs rank a disappointing 82nd in the nation allowing 228.5 yards per game, including 17 touchdown receptions. The big question can UNLV's pass offense, behind erratic sophomore quarterback Shane Steichen and senior wideout Earvin Johnson, take advantage? A big key will be how well an injury-plagued Rebels' offensive line can hold up against a blitzing Aztec defense that has rolled up 25 quarterback sacks. The Rebels have thrown for just 11 touchdowns in 10 games.

Edge: San Diego State

WHEN SAN DIEGO STATE HAS THE BALL

San Diego State run offense vs. UNLV run defense

No team in the conference suffered a bigger loss to injury this year than the Aztecs when 2003 conference freshman of the year Lynell Hamilton decided he would have to redshirt because of lingering pain in his broken ankle suffered last Nov. 1 against UNLV. Hamilton rushed for 1,087 yards in just 10 games as a true freshman and was a franchise player. If Hamilton's injury wasn't bad enough, the Aztecs have had a cluster of injuries on what could have been the league's top offensive line. Some of those players, including Green Valley High product Brandyn Dombrowski at left guard and Durango High product Mike Kravetz at right tackle, have returned to the starting lineup. UNLV, meanwhile, will be without arguably their two best defensive players in All-American safety Jamaal Brimmer and senior linebacker Ryan Claridge.

Edge: San Diego State

San Diego State pass offense vs. UNLV pass defense

The switch to redshirt freshman Kevin O'Connell at quarterback seems to have jump-started the Aztecs offense which is averaging 27.0 points in the past three games. The hard-nosed O'Connell became the first player in San Diego State history to rush and pass for more than 100 yards in a game when he ran for 101 yards on 15 carries and passed for 229 yards and two touchdowns against a good BYU defense two weeks ago. O'Connell did that despite taking a helmet to his upper throwing arm on the first play of the second half which eventually required X-rays because of fears it had been broken. The Aztecs have two of the conference's top receivers in juniors Jeff Webb and Robert Ortiz. UNLV ranks third in the MWC in pass defense behind just BYU and Utah but the Rebels have managed a league-low six interceptions and will be without star safety Jamaal Brimmer.

Edge: San Diego State

SPECIAL TEAMS

UNLV has a big edge in punting with senior Gary Cook (43.0 avg) over freshman Michael Hughes (38.3 avg.), who lost his job briefly during the middle of the season but regained it a few weeks later after two other Aztecs punters shanked three consecutive punts for a total of 25 yards in a 20-10 loss at Wyoming. UNLV freshman kicker Sergio Aguayo has connected on eight of his past nine field goal attempts. Give UNLV the edge in the return game.

Edge: UNLV

INTANGIBLES

This is John Robinson's final game of a Hall of Fame coaching career which would motivate most teams to play hard. However, if last week's sleepwalking exhibition by the Rebels in Fort Collins is any indication, many Rebels players are probably already making plans to get to the beach on Sunday morning.

Edge: San Diego State

COACHING

Both UNLV's retiring John Robinson and San Diego State's Tom Craft expected to have their teams in a bowl game this year. But both coaches have had to try to keep their ships afloat through a rash of key injuries. The 2005 season is a make-it-or-break-it one for Craft who is just 13-22 overall and 8-12 in MWC play in his three years.

Edge: UNLV

KEYS TO VICTORY

To win, UNLV must ...

1. Play with poise and passion. That's something that has been sorely lacking in recent weeks.

2. Run the football. The Aztecs will be out to shut down MWC rushing leader Dominique Dorsey.

3. Force turnovers. The Rebels, who forced a league-high 35 turnovers last year, have produced just 15 this season. Not so coincidentally, 10 of those takeways came in UNLV's only two wins of the season against Nevada-Reno and BYU.

To win, San Diego State must ...

1. Start fast. Colorado State did this last week and the Rebels started packing their bags by the second quarter.

2. Contain Dorsey. The talented 5-foot-7, 170-pound senior pretty much is UNLV's offense these days.

3. Avoid special teams meltdowns. Poor punting especially has hurt the Aztecs much of the season.