Friday, Oct. 1, 2004 | 10:01 a.m.
Steve Guiremand
WHEN UNR HAS THE BALL
UNR run offense vs. UNLV run defense
Senior Chance Kretschmer seems to have bounced back from a knee injury on the first day of fall camp and had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games against Sacramento State (102) and Buffalo (154). The 2001 NCAA rushing champion from Tonopah has rushed for 3,318 yards and 29 touchdowns in his career and runs behind a veteran offensive line led by all-WAC tackle Harvey Dahl. UNLV ranks a disappointing 90th in the nation in run defense, allowing 202.2 yards per game, and the Rebels have forced just three fumbles, recovering one.
Edge: Nevada-Reno.
UNR pass offense vs. UNLV pass defense
Get ready for Chris Ault and his Air Wolf passing attack. Nevada-Reno is 24th in the nation in passing offense, averaging a healthy 258.8 yards per game. Sophomore quarterback Jeff Rowe, who suffered a season-ending shoulder injury against the Rebels last year, is having a solid year completing 55.3 percent of his passes for 853 yards, 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Ault also likes to rotate backup Travis Moore (16 of 23, 182 yards, 2 TDs) into the game as well. The Wolf Pack has two of the top receivers in the WAC in Nichiren Flowers (29 receptions, 2 TDs) and sophomore Caleb Spencer (25 receptions, 2 TDs). UNLV's secondary, expected to be a bright spot this year with the return of All-American safety Jamaal Brimmer, has struggled at times. However, the Rebels lead the MWC in passing yardage, allowing an average of 172.0 yards per game.
Edge: Nevada-Reno.
WHEN UNLV HAS THE BALL
UNLV run offense vs. UNR run defense
UNLV tailback Dominique Dorsey leads the Mountain West Conference in rushing with an average of 105.2 yards per game and has had some memorable games against Nevada-Reno in the past. The Wolf Pack defense was shredded in its 38-21 season-opening loss at Louisiana Tech by Bulldog tailback Ryan Moats, who finished with 257 yards on 33 carries and scored three touchdowns. San Diego State tailback Michael Franklin also broke the 100-yard barrier in last week's 27-10 victory by the Aztecs.
Edge: UNLV.
UNLV pass offense vs. UNR pass defense
Despite losing a number of defensive backs before the season because of off-the-field problems, the Wolf Pack secondary, led by senior free safety Keone Kauo and junior corner Roderick Stallings, has performed well. Nevada ranks 21st in the nation in pass defense, allowing only 158.8 yards per game. The Pack has allowed just three passing touchdowns and intercepted five passes. UNLV's passing attack has been slowed by a number of injuries to key players including senior tight end Greg Estandia (knee), who is expected to finally make his 2004 debut in this game, and all-MWC senior wideout Earvin Johnson, who missed most of practice this week with a hip pointer.
Edge: UNLV.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Nevada-Reno has a solid, veteran placekicker in senior Damon Fine, who has connected on 24 consecutive PATs and 3 of his 5 field goal attempts. UNLV has the better punter in senior Gary Cook, who ranks 24th in the nation with a 42.8 average. The Rebels lead the MWC in kickoff returns (24.0 avg.) but are last in the nation in punt returns.
Edge: Even
INTANGIBLES
UNLV head coach John Robinson is usually at his best in rivalry games and has won four in a row in this series. Despite announcing his retirement earlier this week, his team appeared loose and excited to try to keep the Fremont Cannon painted red for a team-record fifth consecutive year. This game obviously means a lot to Nevada-Reno coach Ault and his team, but could they be too wound up about trying to snap The Streak?
Edge: UNLV.
COACHING
Ault is obsessed with beating UNLV, one of the major reasons the Hall of Famer came out of retirement to coach his alma mater. Expect the Wolf Pack to use every trick in the book to try to win this one. Robinson will likely join Ault in College Football's Hall of Fame around 2008.
Edge: Even.
KEYS TO VICTORY
To win, UNR must ...
1. Stop the run. Even if tight end Estandia returns for the Rebels, UNLV's passing attack is still very suspect, especially at the quarterback position.
2. Pass, pass, pass. UNLV's secondary has been prone to major breakdowns again this year.
3. Get the early lead. The Rebels are in a fragile mental state after last week's disastrous upset loss to Utah State and could panic if they fall too far behind early.
To win, UNLV must ...
1. Start fast. The Rebels need to get an early lead to get the crowd into it and also to take some pressure off the defense for a change.
2. Force turnovers. Just two takeaways in four games is a major reason for 0-4.
3. Win the special teams battle. On paper it's pretty even. Whoever wins this part of the game probably goes home with a win.
THE PICK
UNLV 24, UNR 17.
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