Rebel defense faces biggest test

UNLV's defense in recent seasons not only gave up big plays, but it all too often failed to make key plays of its own.

That is changing.

Yes, the Rebels still give up way too many yards and points, but their defense at least is stepping up to create takeaways and pressure opposing quarterbacks, and it's a major reason UNLV beat Colorado State last weekend.

Boise State is no Colorado State, and UNLV's defense faces an offense at 7:30 tonight at Sam Boyd Stadium that will test the Rebels like no other this season.

Whether UNLV's defense can make enough big plays to keep the game from getting out of hand is unlikely -- fifth-ranked Boise State is a 42-point favorite -- but it will have to find a way, or any drama could be gone by halftime.

"Most offenses will have a part of their offense ready for you, you've just got to wait till game time to see which one they're going to do," UNLV defensive coordinator Kraig Paulson said. "These guys pretty much have their whole playbook ready.

"What's astounding is how many formations and sets they have and how they execute them all. That's what's truly impressive."

The Rebels (2-5, 1-1 Mountain West Conference) should expect a motivated Broncos team. Boise State (7-0, 2-0) had two weeks to prepare, and Heisman Trophy contender Kellen Moore will try to run his career record to 46-2 and stand alone as the nation's all-time winningest quarterback.

His play is a major reason Boise State could be on its way to a third Bowl Championship Series game in six years, the first-year Mountain West team perhaps already too big for the conference, having shown all signs it will leave for the Big East Conference in 2013.

It's the type of program coach Bobby Hauck wants to build at UNLV. Should Hauck ever get the Rebels near that level, he might be able to take UNLV out of the crumbling Mountain West.

Hauck, though, has more pressing concerns tonight, and his Rebels will take the field minus five players suspended for breaking team rules. Those include two starters, running back Tim Cornett and linebacker Tani Maka.

Even at full strength, the Rebels would have a difficult task taking on a Boise State team that dominates the Mountain West's offensive and defensive categories, outscoring opponents by a 43.3 to 16.1 average and outgaining them 488 yards of offense to 300.6.

Boise State possesses one of the nation's best defensive lines, but Moore and the offense receive most of the attention. The senior quarterback has completed 76.3 percent of his passes for 2,010 yards and 24 touchdowns, with five interceptions.

But the Broncos are far from one-dimensional. Doug Martin averages 106.7 yards rushing per game and 5.3 per carry.

It's not a good matchup for a UNLV defense that allows 40.6 points and 455.6 yards per game.

The Rebels, however, intercepted six passes in the past four games after failing to get one in the opening three weeks. They recorded nine tackles for loss, including four sacks, against Colorado State, a prime reason the Rebels won 38-35 despite giving up 480 yards of offense.

"We're trying to eliminate some of those plays between the 20s, and we've got to keep working on it," Paulson said. "I do like how they're rallying back. The kids are fighting."

Boise State figures to get its yards tonight, but maybe the key will be how UNLV responds. It might not make a difference in the outcome but could affect the point differential.

"They have a great offense, a great scheme," defensive end James Dunlap said. "We have to be able to shake off every play that doesn't go our way and come back and make a big one."

Hauck, however, refuses to accept the notion Boise State will score its share of points.

"I don't want to concede anything, ever," Hauck said. "Now whether that's reality or not, it's the world we get to live in. We choose our reality, and ours is we're going to go try and play our best game, and we don't want to concede anything.

"That being said, their quarterback is a Heisman Trophy candidate."

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