John Locher / AP
UNLV head coach Bobby Hauck (in white) speaks with his team during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Air Force, Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014 | 2 a.m.
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UNLV's Got (Don't Say) Talent
On this episode of UNLV's Got Talent, Rebels beat writer Taylor Bern tells colleagues Ray Brewer and Case Keefer why they need to stop using that word as the go-to for UNLV's basketball program.
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The UNLV football team has just two wins in 10 games. It won’t play in a bowl.
But, by no means, are the players throwing in the towel on the season. They have three games remaining, starting Saturday at BYU, and plan to play their hardest for the final 12 quarters of the season.
“It is second nature for us to play hard until the finish,” said Devante Davis, UNLV’s senior wide receiver and team leader. “There is no quit in this team. That is what I love about these guys, and love about playing with these guys. We’ll never quit. No matter what the scoreboard says, we’ll play the same way.”
That’s could be easier said than done at BYU.
While BYU isn’t at full strength, losing four of its past five games since quarterback Taysom Hill suffered a season-ending leg injury, the Cougars are minus-23 point betting favorites. And BYU will be well rested, having not played since Nov. 1.
UNLV has struggled most of the season defensively, surrendering 37.2 points per game and ranking No. 119 nationally in total defense. But Saturday is a new challenge.
“We can’t change the past. It has already happened,” said Mike Horsey, UNLV’s senior defensive back. “We want to go out and compete, and fly around.”
UNLV has forced just 12 turnovers in 10 games, including none last week against Air Force. Air Force scored on its initial six possessions and gained more than 500 yards in a 48-21 victory.
“We just need to keep playing hard,” UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said. “We probably need to come up with a takeaway or two. When you are playing on the road, that is always productive.”
BYU (5-4) is playing to become bowl eligible for a 10th straight season. It’s 15-3 all-time against UNLV, including winning the past six meetings. The teams haven’t played since BYU’s 55-7 victory in 2010, when the Cougars left the Mountain West to play an independent schedule.
“They were obviously a great team in this league,” Hauck said. “When Utah went to the Pac-12, it is hard for an instate school to not follow suit in some form or fashion. They had to do what they had to do.”
The 4 p.m. game will be televised by ESPNU.
Ray Brewer can be reached at 702-990-2662 or [email protected]. Follow Ray on Twitter at twitter.com/raybrewer21
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