Shaky Wyoming defense gets makeover

UNLV coach Bobby Hauck knew he needed to change quarterbacks after the offense went into neutral the past two games.

Similarly, Wyoming coach Dave Christensen knew he had to make some serious changes on defense after the Cowboys allowed 548 yards in a 63-19 loss to Utah State on Saturday.

The teams meet at 11 a.m. PDT Saturday in Laramie, Wyo., in a game that will be a referendum on the effectiveness of those moves.

Neither coach had much choice, and Christensen in particular knew he couldn't sit still after watching the Cowboys give up their most points since Utah beat them 69-14 in 1983.

"We've got some issues we've got to correct, but we weren't an awful team going into the bye week (Oct. 1), and one week is not going to change the whole complexion of our football team," Christensen said. "I still have great confidence in our players and their abilities. I'm pretty positive we'll get it rectified and play better."

Christensen made the following changes:

■ Gabe Knapton, who leads Wyoming's linemen with 28 tackles, moves from tackle to end.

■ Ben Durbin moves from backup to starting tackle.

■ Korey Jones switches from end to middle linebacker to battle Devyn Harris for the spot.

■ The starting outside linebackers also haven't been named.

But Christensen isn't just moving pieces around.

"We've got to probably have our players doing fewer things," he said. "When they struggle executing what you've asked them to do, it goes on the coach. So I've got to back off and try to do fewer things and try to do get them to do those things better so that we have a chance."

NOTABLE

Maybe facing Wyoming is just the tonic UNLV's struggling offense needs. The Rebels have scored at least 40 points five times against the Cowboys since the Mountain West Conference began play in 1999. UNLV, which won last season's meeting 42-16 at Sam Boyd Stadium, reached the mark only four other times over that span. ... The Rebels could start four freshman offensive linemen. Left tackle Brett Boyko and center Robert Waterman are starters, and right tackle Cameron Jefferson and left guard Brian Roth might start for the first time. Playing either would be a significant change because the same five linemen have started every game. ... One advantage the Rebels have is Christensen doesn't have much video of new UNLV starting quarterback Sean Reilly. "Unless someone wants to send me some film from spring practice," Christensen said. "I doubt very much that the scheme's going to change drastically, because it's all they've done all through spring and all through fall."

KEY MATCHUP

UNLV wide receiver Phillip Payne vs. Wyoming cornerbacks Blair Burns and Marqueston Huff

Payne had only two passes thrown his way at UNR, and the Rebels need to get him more involved if they are to revitalize their offense. He caught 20 passes for 273 yards and three touchdowns over the two previous games.

INJURY REPORT

(Supplied by UNLV)

Player Pos. Injury Status

Corbin Brown DB Leg Out

Aaron Reed H-back Leg Out

Jason Koontz OL Back Out

Taylor Spencer WR Leg Out

Max Johnson FB Leg Out

Alvin Almicar DL Arm Out

Phillip Payne WR Leg Questionable

Kenneth Penny DB Leg Questionable

Tim Cornett RB Leg Questionable