Rebels look to continue gradual improvement against New Mexico

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- It's far too early to say UNLV is beginning to turn around its football program, but there is little doubt the Rebels are improving.

They beat Colorado State two weeks ago and were competitive against fifth-ranked Boise State last weekend.

To make the improvement really mean something, though, the Rebels must beat New Mexico, possibly the nation's worst team, when they meet at 7 p.m. today.

UNLV (2-6, 1-2 Mountain West Conference) is a touchdown favorite over the Lobos (0-9, 0-4), who have lost 12 games in a row.

"We've got to keep that ball rolling the right direction and not step back," UNLV coach Bobby Hauck said.

The Rebels own a three-game winning streak over New Mexico, and they ended a 20-game conference road skid in their previous visit to this city two years ago by beating the Lobos, 34-17.

Now, UNLV takes a 13-game road losing streak, which includes nonconference opponents, into tonight's matchup.

If the Rebels play as well as they did the past two games, they will beat New Mexico. UNLV defeated Colorado State 38-35, and it made Boise State work until late in the third quarter before beginning to fade in a 48-21 loss.

"We hung with the No. 5 team in the nation," wide receiver Phillip Payne said. "We feel like we can play with anybody. From here on out, we're ready for anybody."

UNLV certainly will be tested down the stretch, with games remaining against Air Force, San Diego State and Texas Christian, teams with a combined record of 17-9. All have winning records, and two of those games are on the road.

So, just how much the Rebels have improved will be even more apparent over the season's final month.

"There's definitely been a gain in confidence, especially in a lot of the younger players, seeing that they can compete at this level very efficiently," senior tight end Anthony Vidal said. "We can stand up physically with a lot of these teams."

The Rebels shouldn't have a problem standing up with New Mexico, which is last in the nation in scoring offense (12.6-point average) and scoring defense (45.6 points), and second to last in total defense (507.9-yard average) and rushing defense (255.1 yards).

The Lobos fired coach Mike Locksley four games into the season and George Barlow has been serving as the interim coach. New Mexico athletic director Paul Krebs has been quiet about his search for a permanent replacement, but former Texas Tech coach Mike Leach has been among the rumored candidates, though he could have his choice of jobs.

Not that UNLV, even an improving UNLV, is in the position to take a struggling team such as New Mexico, or any opponent, lightly.

That was proven Sept. 24 when Southern Utah, a Football Championship Subdivision school, stunned the Rebels 41-16 at Sam Boyd Stadium.

It was a damaging loss Hauck said he would never get past. He might feel the same way about New Mexico if UNLV loses tonight.

And just like Southern Utah, it would be a loss nearly impossible to explain.

"It's a game we really need," safety Quinton Pointer said. "It's a game we're working to get. The season's not over.

"I feel the team is getting better. Hopefully, we can keep that going in this game and throughout."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.