Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Tonight’s matchup: UNLV (1-4, 0-1) at BYU (2-3, 1-0)

Steve Guiremand

WHEN UNLV HAS THE BALL

UNLV run offense vs. BYU run defense

This is a battle of strength vs. strength. UNLV's Dominique Dorsey is off to an excellent start, leading the Mountain West Conference and ranking No. 15 in the nation in rushing with an average of 112.4 yards per game and an outstanding 6.6 yards per carry. Backups Dyante Perkins and Erick Jackson have also played well and the rebuilt Rebels offensive line seems to be improving with each game. However, they'll have their work cut out for them against Bronco Mendenhall's blitzing 3-3-5 defense led by senior linebacker Brady Poppinga and junior defensive lineman Manaia Brown. The Cougars rank second only to New Mexico in the MWC in rushing defense and 33rd in the nation allowing 113.2 yards per game and just 3.1 yards per attempt.

Edge: Even.

UNLV pass offense vs. BYU pass defense

Oft-injured UNLV quarterback Kurt Nantkes seemed to finally find his rhythm in last week's 48-13 victory over Nevada-Reno. The good news here is that starting flanker Terry Furlow, who missed two games with an Achilles' injury, returns to join all-MWC candidate Earvin Johnson (32 catches for 375 yards, 3 TDs) and explosive converted tailback Alvin Marshall, who seems to be improving each week. The big question is: will Nantkes have the time to find his wideouts? BYU leads the MWC in sacks with 16. However, if the Rebels offensive line can give him time, the Cougars are very vulnerable to the pass as evidenced by the fact they rank 113th out of 117 Division I-A teams in pass defense.

Edge: UNLV.

WHEN BYU HAS THE BALL

BYU run offense vs. UNLV run defense

Until last week's 207-yard rushing output against a woefully bad Colorado State run defense (No. 114 in the nation), BYU had rushed for a grand total of 102 yards in four games. Granted, they did play against one of the nation's premier defenses in USC but they also faced Stanford, Notre Dame and Boise State. The Cougars are averaging a dismal 1.9 yards per rush. UNLV's defense, led by inside linebackers Adam Seward and Ryan Claridge, is 82nd in the nation, allowing 181.4 yards per game, a number that is inflated a little by having played Air Force's triple-option and Top 25 power running teams Wisconsin and Tennessee.

Edge: UNLV.

BYU pass offense vs. UNLV pass defense

Give much maligned BYU coach Gary Crowton credit for switching to sophomore John Beck as his starting quarterback this year. Beck has the mobility to elude the rush and a strong arm that had Boise State's highly touted defense hanging on for dear life at the end of a 28-27 loss. And he has two of the conference's premier home run threats to throw to in junior college transfer Todd Watkins (28 catches, 538 yards, 19.2 avg., 2 TDs) and true freshman Austin Collie (24 catches, 293 yards, 3 TDs). And don't forget about sophomore tight end Daniel Coats, a freshman All-American in 2003. UNLV's pass defense, led by All-American safety Jamaal Brimmer and senior corner Ruschard Dodd-Masters, has allowed just four passing touchdowns in five games, but that stat could change dramatically after tonight.

Edge: BYU.

SPECIAL TEAMS

BYU senior Matt "King of " Payne has won three of the Mountain West Conference's five special teams player of the week awards so far ... and expect him to add a few more before he's done. He's third in the nation in punting with a 46.5 average and has had 12 punts downed inside the 20. He also is arguably the best placekicker in the conference, having connected on 55 consecutive PATs and 6-of-6 field goals from 40 yards or more. UNLV leads the MWC in kickoff returns with a 22.3 average but with Payne kicking off they don't figure to get many chances. Rebels are 117th in the nation in punt returns.

Edge: BYU.

INTANGIBLES

BYU has dominated the series, 9-2, but the Rebels won the last meeting in Provo, 24-7, in 2002 and played the Cougars to the wire before losing in both 2001 and 2003. The Cougars seem revitalized by their 31-21 MWC opening win at Colorado State last Saturday. Still, after a brutal early schedule that included games against USC, Notre Dame, Stanford and Boise State, how fired up will the Cougars be for a 1-4 UNLV squad?

Edge: BYU.

COACHING

John Robinson's announcement to retire two weeks ago seems to have pulled his team together while at the same time loosening them up. BYU's Crowton remains on the hot seat and needs a big final two months to avoid getting the axe.

Edge: UNLV.

KEYS TO VICTORY

To win, UNLV must ...

1. Force turnovers. With Payne punting and kickoff off for the Cougars, the Rebels don't figure to get very many short fields to work with unless they can get some takeaways.

2. Run the ball. The less time John Beck and Todd Watkins are on the field, the better.

3. Protect the quarterback. BYU, like New Mexico, likes to blitz from all angles. Their secondary is vulnerable if Nantkes is given time.

To win, BYU must ...

1. Throw deep a lot. The Cougars have one of the nation's most dangerous receivers in Watkins, so use him.

2. Contain 'Nique. That would be UNLV's explosive senior tailback and MWC rushing leader Dominique Dorsey, who can turn a game with a long run.

3. Keep them honest. The Cougars need to at least attempt to run the ball the keep the UNLV defense guessing.

THE PICK

BYU 23, UNLV 17.

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