Rebels draw from experience as they face Oregon State tonight

The book on Oregon State is if you're going to get the Beavers, get them early.

It's a little different for UNLV. If you're a big favorite playing the Rebels, watch out.

Utah came to Las Vegas two Septembers ago as an 8-point favorite and carrying an 11-game winning streak against UNLV -- all by double digits. The Rebels then pounded out a 27-0 victory.

Last football season, UNLV visited 23-point favorite Arizona State in the third week and came away with a 23-20 victory in overtime.

And now here comes 7-point favorite Oregon State (1-0), visiting Sam Boyd Stadium at 8 p.m. today.

But there is a different vibe this time. The opening betting line quickly was bet down by 11/2 points, indicating the professionals believe UNLV (1-0) has a chance.

And while a Rebels victory would be an upset, it wouldn't be the where-did-that-come-from win like those against Utah and Arizona State.

"When we played Arizona State last year, we were dreaming big," defensive end Malo Taumua said. "This week, we know we can play with Oregon State. This week, we're believing in a win instead of dreaming."

Maybe the Rebels still would be dreaming if not for the reality of those types of wins.

"Any time you have a history, that helps you in the future," coach Mike Sanford said. "But to me, this is a completely different year, a completely different scenario and a completely different team we're playing."

Sanford said, in particular, there are major differences between playing Oregon State and UNLV's most recent Pacific-10 Conference opponent.

Arizona State had reasons to take UNLV lightly. The Rebels' program hadn't shown many signs of life, the Sun Devils were home, and Arizona State appeared to be looking ahead to third-ranked Georgia a week later.

"We had a perfect storm in a lot of ways," Sanford said. "Things came together, and we played really well, and I don't take anything away from that."

Oregon State, Sanford said, isn't the type of team to look ahead, that the Beavers "play with a chip on their shoulder" and are "probably the most physical team in the Pac-10."

Even so, this game has the makings of a shootout.

UNLV still must prove it can stop the run. Oregon State's Jacquizz Rodgers might be the best running back the Rebels face this season. He was the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year last season as a freshman.

The fact the Rebels struggled some against Sacramento State's ground attack last Saturday has to be disconcerting.

But much of the Hornets' yardage came against UNLV's backup defensive line in the second quarter. Now coaches must balance keeping the starters on the field versus making sure they're fresh.

"I think any time on defense when you can have two complete defensive lines, that's a plus," Sanford said.

On the other end, the Beavers return three defensive starters, so a veteran UNLV offense led by quarterback Omar Clayton and the Mountain West Conference's best receivers could make plays.

Maybe UNLV will come up with a defining moment tonight like at Arizona State last season when wide receiver Phillip Payne made his famous one-handed touchdown catch to send the game into overtime.

"I think this team has played pretty well when we've had our backs up against the wall," wide receiver Ryan Wolfe said. "So I think we need to come out with that same kind of mentality that we can do the things we know we can do in order to be successful."

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.