Mountain West Conference Report, Sept. 26

UNLV FACES STIFF TEST AGAINST UTAH STATE DEFENSE

Gary Andersen gave Utah State an offensive identity after he became the coach in December 2008, but he got the job largely because of his work as Utah's defensive coordinator.

Though the Aggies are still known for offense, their defense shares at least equally in their success.

The Aggies (3-1) rank 11th nationally in total defense, giving up 274.8 yards per game. They haven't allowed a point in the first quarter and only three field goals in the first half.

Utah State has given up only 14.5 points per game, 20th nationally.

The Aggies are effective against the run and the pass. They allow 103.8 yards rushing per game, including 2.8 per carry, and a 171-yard passing average.

"I think the defense has played solid," Andersen said. "The numbers speak to that after four games. We'll be tested this week with a very good running game and a play-action attack. So it will be interesting to see how we hold up."

The Aggies host UNLV (1-3) at 5 p.m. PDT Saturday.

Utah State also puts a capable offense on the field.

The Aggies average 424.2 yards and 26.5 points, with Valley High School product Kerwynn Williams rushing for 406 yards and three touchdowns.

Chuckie Keeton has completed 70.2 percent of his passes for 879 yards and seven touchdowns. He also has rushed for 202 yards.

"They're just a well-put-together team," UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said. "They've got players at every position.

"They're a great challenge."

TALK OF THE LEAGUE

With star quarterback Kellen Moore gone, along with other key players on offense, No. 24 Boise State has struggled to score this season.

The Broncos did not score offensive touchdowns against Brigham Young or Michigan State, and the nation's highest-scoring team since 2000 is 107th in the country with a 19.7 points-per-game average.

"Certain people around here take things for granted that it's just going to happen because you put on a blue uniform," Boise State coach Chris Petersen said. "It's just not that simple. It takes so much focus and hard work and skill and luck and those things to get going.

"We've just got to stay focused and stay positive, and if (we) do those two things, I think we can improve."

Some demands for changes to the offense have come from outside Boise State's football offices after the Broncos beat BYU 7-6 on Thursday, but Petersen is resisting making any moves.

"It's not usually just one guy; it's a little bit of everybody," he said of the offensive personnel. "We've got some new pieces, and we've had chances and we've done some good things. We just haven't capitalized when we've had opportunities to maybe change momentum a little bit. So we'll stick to the process and keep grinding away."

AROUND THE MWC

San Diego State gave up 79 points over the past two games, to North Dakota and San Jose State, something that obviously doesn't sit well with defensive-minded coach Rocky Long. "We've put a bunch of guys in the box against the run, and people are spreading us out and throwing it around the park," he said. "So we've got to re-evaluate what we're doing." ... New Mexico defeated rival New Mexico State 27-14 on Saturday to improve to 2-2. The Lobos had won one game each of the three prior seasons. ... Air Force is one of three teams - Oklahoma State and Middle Tennessee are the others - that hasn't given up a sack this season. The Falcons also have not allowed a sack in six of their past seven games, dating to last season.

UNLV INJURY REPORT

POS., PLAYER AREA STATUS

DL Alvin Amilcar Undisclosed Out

H Taylor Barnhill Leg Out

OL Patrick Carroll Back Out

DL David Green Undisclosed Out

TE Nick Gstrein Foot Out

DL Sonny Sanitoa Leg Out

DB John Therrell Arm Out

DB Peni Vea Leg Out

DB Mike Horsey Leg Doubtful

LB Princeton Jackson Undisclosed Doubtful