Aggies, Rebels awfully similar

The differences between the UNLV and Utah State football teams seem minuscule compared to the striking similarities.

Both teams certainly share a sense of urgency -- perhaps even desperation -- to win their season opener after going 2-10 last season. The Rebels host the Aggies in a 7 p.m. game Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"We want to go out this game and make a statement and prove this team and this year is no comparison to any other team or any other year that UNLV has had a football team," Rebels senior tailback Frank Summers said.

The heat on both teams also applies to the coaches, UNLV's Mike Sanford and Utah State's Brent Guy. Remarkably, each enters his fourth season with an identical record: 6-29. A loss Saturday only turns up the pressure and job speculation for the losing coach.

But both coaches say their teams are headed in the right direction. Sanford points to four losses by eight points or fewer last season, Guy to four losses that occurred after Utah State led in the fourth quarter, as well as back-to-back victories to end the season.

Sanford and Guy worked hard this preseason on issues that kept their teams from winning more. For the Rebels, it was an emphasis on red-zone scoring. For the Aggies, it wasn't so simple.

"We're really gearing ourselves more toward those situations that caused us not to be able to finish games in the fourth quarter," Guy said.

"We lost in a lot of different fashions. You never know what situation's going to occur, and we've tried to prepare for everything."

Both teams are more experienced this season. UNLV returns nine starters on offense and five on defense, Utah State six on offense and nine on defense. But each squad's best player has moved on to the NFL -- UNLV linebacker Beau Bell with the Cleveland Browns and Utah State wide receiver/returner Kevin Robinson with the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Rebels and Aggies each start a quarterback who didn't take the field when the teams met to open last season. UNLV's Omar Clayton is more experienced, having started three games. Utah State's Sean Setzer threw one pass all season.

Despite the amazingly similar circumstances facing both teams, Sanford said their differences also stood out, such as playing in different conferences: Utah State in the Western Athletic and UNLV in the Mountain West.

"But I do see some comparisons," he said. "This is a big game for both teams, no question about it."

• NOTE -- Rebels junior kicker Kyle Watson is expected to handle extra points and short field goals, and sophomore Ben Jaekle, a Bonanza High School graduate, will handle long field goals and kickoffs.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.