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PROVO -- Coming off a 35-17 win over in-state rival Utah State, the No. 18 BYU Cougars are getting ready to face UNLV (2-3, 0-1 MWC) at 8 pm (MT) on Saturday in Las Vegas.
Head Coach Bronco Mendenhall says the Cougars (4-1, 1-0 MWC) are "gaining momentum and gaining confidence." He says last week's win over Utah State featured two positive developments: an improving run game and more effective containment of mobile opposing quarterbacks.
As for the fact Unga has only one reception this season (after 44 and 42 catches in his first two seasons), Bronco says it is not lost on the coaching staff, and that "we're realizing (Unga catching the ball) has to be a bigger role," and that it "wouldn't be surprising if he sees the ball distributed to him a little bit more out of the backfield."
The Cougars are preparing for a game similar to the meeting last year in Provo (won by BYU 42-35). Mendenhall calls the Rebels "certainly capable." The Rebels play well at home and certainly move the ball well on offense, ranking 23rd in the country in passing yards per game.
KSL takes a look back and a look ahead as we prep for game day.
What did we learn about BYU vs Utah State?
- BYU needs to rely more on RB Harvey Unga (6.2 yards per rush, only one reception for 5 yards)
- WR Luke Ashworth is capable of replacing injured WR McKay Jacobsen (hamstring)
- The defense can dominate at times, but needs to be more consistent, especially on third downs (allowing 45% conversion rate).
- Max Hall needs to be more judicious when taking chances downfield.
What questions do we still have about BYU?
- Can BYU's offense play a "clean" game (no turnovers)?
- Can BYU's defense "clamp down," on third downs in particular?
- Can BYU get healthy? (Jacobson, Tialavea and Ogletree all expected to miss the game)
What can BYU expect from UNLV?
- a generous rush defense
- a capable spread offense
- a desperate coach—will the players share his desperation?
What can UNLV expect from BYU?
- An emphasis on taking control of the game early—will BYU opt to receive if winning the coin toss?
- Lots and lots of Unga, DiLuigi, Tonga and Kariya
- A more confident defense
- Fewer turnovers from Max Hall
Miscellaneous:
- After last week's win over Utah State, BYU has now won 30 consecutive games when allowing 24 or fewer, a new BYU record dating back to '72 (Lavell Edwards' first season as head coach).
- Another one of BYU's weekly goals is to score 24 or more; the program's win rate when that occurs is 89.42% (since 1972). Since a 35-28 loss to Cal to end the 2005 season, BYU is 31-3 when scoring 24 or more.
- BYU has never lost to UNLV in Las Vegas, going 7-0. BYU leads the overall series with UNLV 13-3.
- In games played at Sam Boyd Stadium (including games at UNLV, Las Vegas Bowls and WAC Championship games), BYU is 10-3 alltime--with non-UNLV wins over Wyoming, Oregon and UCLA; losses to California, Arizona and Air Force.
- Bronco Mendenhall and UNLV's Mike Sanford were both hired at the start of the 2005 season. Their conference records:
- Mendenhall: 28-5
- Sanford: 5-28
- Conclusion: BYU has never lost to UNLV in Las Vegas, and this would not appear to be the year that streak is going to end. The Cougars have proven more than capable of moving and scoring the ball, and the Rebels have proven all too vulnerable on defense. The Rebels have the talent and firepower to go toe-to-toe for stretches, but Mike Sanford's clubs have proven inconsistent and lacking resolve at times. UNLV plays its best football at home, but Sam Boyd Stadium may as well be BYU's "home away from home," and the Cougars' comfort level should spike with the Rebels reeling.
