Saturday’s matchup: UNLV (2-4, 0-2) vs. New Mexico (2-4, 1-1)

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Oct. 15, 2004 | 9:56 a.m.

Steve Guiremand

WHEN NEW MEXICO HAS THE BALL

New Mexico run offense vs. UNLV run defense

The Lobos make no secret of what they want to do on offense and that's run you into the ground. New Mexico has a big, physical offensive line that averages 325 pounds per man and includes all-conference caliber players like tackle Claude Terrell, center Ryan Cook and guard Robert Turner. New Mexico also has two talented running backs in junior DonTrell Moore, who won the MWC rushing crown a year ago with 1,450 yards, and Oklahoma State transfer D.D. Cox, who is averaging 4.7 yards per carry during his Lobo career. The big question mark for the Lobos is how well and how long starting quarterback Kole McKamey, an excellent runner who missed last week's loss at Air Force with concussion-related symptoms, plays?

Edge: New Mexico

New Mexico pass offense vs. UNLV pass defense

The Lobos have one of the most athletic wide receivers in the nation in Hank Baskett, a 6-foot-4, 220-pound junior who won the Mountain West Conference outdoor high jumping crown last spring with a leap of 6-feet-11 inches. He ranks 27th in the nation in receiving yards per game (81.0) and has 29 receptions. But Lobo quarterbacks Kole McKamey (45 of 95, 574 yards, 1 TD, 5 Ints.) and Tali Ena (13 of 41, 157 yards, 0 TDs, 2 Ints.) have both struggled in the passing game so far this year. New Mexico ranks 115th out of 117 Division 1 teams in passing offense with an average of 121.8 yards per game. UNLV's pass defense is coming off perhaps its finest game of the season at BYU.

Edge: UNLV.

WHEN UNLV HAS THE BALL

UNLV run offense vs. New Mexico run defense

Senior tailback Dominique Dorsey leads the Mountain West Conference and ranks 17th in the nation in rushing with an average of 109.3 yards per game ... and he's done it against some fo the nation's top run defenses like Wisconsin, Tennessee and BYU. A young and rebuilt offensive line, led by guards Joe Critchfield and Zach Gorham, seems to be improving each week. The Rebels have moved all the way up to No. 51 in the nation in rushing (161.3 ypg) after a slow start. New Mexico perennially has the best run defense in the MWC but with only two returning starters in their front seven they have dropped to fourth in the conference in rushing defense allowing 127.8 yards per game.

Edge: UNLV.

UNLV pass offense vs. New Mexico pass defense

The Lobos thrive on the blitz in Rocky Long's trademark 3-3-5 defense and knocked Rebel starting quarterback Kurt Nantkes out of the game a year ago. The secondary, led by junior corner Gabriel Fulbright and safety Josh Bazinet, is arguably the best in the conference. Somewhat surprisingly Nantkes enjoyed one of his finest games against the Lobos a year ago throwing for 143 yards and two touchdowns in less than a half before getting injured. The question is will he have the time to throw and find star receiver Earvin Johnson (36 receptions, 431 yards, 4 TDs) on a consistent basis? And he can avoid the big interception?

Edge: New Mexico.

SPECIAL TEAMS

New Mexico's Wes Junker is a returning first team all-MWC kicker known for making the big kick in the clutch. He is almost automatic (14 of 16) from 39-yards and in and defeated Texas Tech this year and Colorado State last year with field goals on the final play of the game. UNLV punter Gary Cook (44.2 avg.), an unsung hero in last week's 24-20 upset of BYU, gets the nod over New Mexico's Tyler Gaus (40.4 avg.).

Edge: UNLV.

INTANGIBLES

UNLV has the momentum coming into the game with a two-game winning streak while New Mexico is 0-2 in MWC play for the first time since 1999. Two big keys will which team avoids turning the ball over and which one gets the early lead. Neither team is very adept at coming from behind. Also, just how effective will Lobosquarterback Kole McKamey (concussion) and DonTrell Moore (left knee) be due to their recent injuries?

Edge: UNLV.

COACHING

Rocky Long has methodically built New Mexico into one of the premier football programs in the conference and needs a win today to keep his team's hope alive for a third straight bowl game. His blitz-from-all-angles 3-3-5 defense has been the rage in college football. UNLV's John Robinson has managed to keep his team together through a rash of injuries and an 0-4 start.

Edge: Even.

KEYS TO VICTORY

To win, New Mexico must ...

1. Run, run, run. The Lobos have struggled badly when it comes to passing this year, so it's imperative they have success on the ground.

2. Win the battle of special teams. New Mexico blocked two punts for touchdowns at Air Force last week and may need to do the same thing this week to stay in the game.

3. Keep it close. With a limited passing attack and quarterback Kole McKamey coming back from another concussion, the Lobos can't afford to get in a catch-up situation.

To win, UNLV must ...

1. Force turnovers. It's no coincidence the Rebels have averaged five takeways in their two victories.

2. Throw the ball effectively. You have to figure the Lobos will do whatever they can to bottle up tailback Dominique Dorsey. 3. Possess the ball. The offense would like nothing better than to keep the defense, which was on the field for a whopping 96 plays at BYU, on the sidelines.