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Mountain West Conference report, Sept. 12

WASHINGTON STATE LESS AWKWARD THAN UNLV

UNLV lost to a Football Championship Subdivision school Saturday, and Washington State came an incomplete pass in the end zone from sharing the experience.

Had the Cougars failed to knock down that pass, they would’ve fallen to Eastern Washington, but instead they won, 24-20.

So UNLV (0-2) and Washington State (1-1) might not be so far apart when they meet at 6 p.m. Friday at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"I don’t know much about the team UNLV played, but Eastern Washington has won," Cougars first-year coach Mike Leach said Tuesday. "They had a tradition of winning, and they can get some guys in school we can’t."

Leach was known for his high-scoring spread offenses at Texas Tech, and he will need time to bring that kind of success to the Palouse.

"We don’t worry about four-year plans or any of that stuff," Leach said. "We just worry about doing the best we can from one week to the next."

Leach hasn’t announced which quarterback will start against the Rebels.

Senior Jeff Tuel injured his right leg against Eastern Washington, and he didn’t practice Monday. Sophomore Connor Halliday took the snaps, but Leach has a policy of not discussing injuries.

Washington State will be without safety Deone Bucannon for the first half. He was suspended by the Pac-12 Conference for a hit to the head of a defenseless Eastern Washington player.

TALK OF THE LEAGUE

UNR should be 2-0, but the Wolf Pack found a way to lose a game they had wrapped up.

They led by 11 points at home against South Florida, only to give up touchdown passes of 52 and 56 yards in the final 2:37 to lose 32-31.

UNR played sloppy all game, and wound up paying the price. The Wolf Pack lost fumbles at South Florida’s 1- and 22-yard lines, and they committed three holding penalties at crucial times.

"We had all the opportunities that you should want to win," UNR coach Chris Ault said.

The Wolf Pack’s defense has given up six touchdowns of at least 35 yards.

To put it all on the secondary might not be fair, though, because the Wolf Pack aren’t generating much of a pass rush. But UNR’s secondary certainly needs to elevate its play.

"The two long balls (by South Florida) were isolated one-on-one deals where you’ve just got make the play," Ault said.

AROUND THE MWC

UNLV wasn’t the only Mountain West Conference school to lose to an FCS team over the weekend. Colorado State went down 22-7 to North Dakota State. Four Mountain West teams play FCS schools Saturday, including Wyoming against a Cal Poly team averaging 41 points per game. "We’re 0-2 and can’t take anyone lightly," Wyoming coach Dave Christensen said. Cowboys quarterback Brett Smith, who took a shot to the head in the Cowboys’ 34-31 loss to Toledo, is doubtful. … New Mexico quarterback B.R. Holbrook also is injured, suffering bruised ribs in a 45-0 loss at Texas. The Lobos are at Texas Tech on Saturday. "He’s had his share of injuries, and he’s really a tough guy," New Mexico coach Bob Davie said. "I’d say he’s doubtful right now, but I wouldn’t rule him out." The Lobos will be without wide receiver Lamaar Thomas, who has an injured shoulder. … Air Force coach Troy Calhoun didn’t comment after a 31-25 loss at Michigan, and he didn’t make his players available to the media. Calhoun, who has had issues with the local media, said the players needed to get back on the plane and catch up on schoolwork. "We felt they had to get back with their instructors, and we wanted them with the few minutes they had to see their families after the game," Calhoun said. Maybe the Colorado Springs, Colo., Gazette should reconsider spending thousands of dollars to send a writer on the road.

UNLV INJURY REPORT

POS., PLAYER INJURY STATUS

DL Alvin Amilcar Undisclosed Out

TE Nick Gstrein Foot Out

DL Sonny Sanitoa Leg Out

DL David Green Undisclosed Out

DB John Therrell Arm Out

OL Patrick Carroll Back Out

LB Perry Cooper Leg Questionable

WR Trey Mays Leg Questionable

FB William Vea Arm Questionable

RB/WR Eric Johnson Leg Probable

WR Marcus Sullivan Leg Probable

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