Position preview for Nevada versus UNLV: Who has the edge where?
Nevada Sports Net columnist Chris Murray breaks down Nevada’s football game against UNLV on Saturday at Mackay Stadium with a position-by-position analysis.
UNLV (4-1, 1-0 MW) at Nevada (0-5, 0-1)
When: Saturday, 2 p.m.
Where: Mackay Stadium (capacity 27,000)
Surface: FieldTurf (installed 2022)
Weather: High of 73; low of 46
TV/Radio: Nevada Sports Net/105.7 FM (also on the Varsity Network)
Online:
Betting line: UNLV by 9.5; total of 53.5
All-time series: Nevada leads 29-19
Last matchup: UNLV won 27-22 on Nov. 26, 2022 (in Las Vegas)
Position-by-position
Quarterback: Both teams could play two quarterbacks. Nevada will stick with Brendon Lewis despite AJ Bianco being the more effective passer to date. UNLV has Jayden Maiava and Doug Brumfield listed as an “or” on the depth chart. Maiava has won three games for UNLV since Brumfield’s ribs/hip injury. It’d be a little silly to move away from Maiava, who has been the better runner and passer. Edge: UNLV
Running backs: UNLV gives four running backs reps with Jai'Den Thomas in the mix for MW freshman of the year with 273 yards and seven scores. Vincent Davis is averaging 7.3 yards per carry while Donavyn Lester (6-2/215), a transfer from William & Mary, is the power back. Lots of options for the Rebels. Nevada will lean more heavily on Sean Dollars with Ashton Hayes likely out for the year. Edge: UNLV
Wide receivers/tight end: UNLV’s Ricky White, a Michigan State transfer, is UNLV’s top option with 23 catches for 319 yards. The Rebels have only three passing touchdowns; Nevada has just two. Both rank bottom three in the nation in that stat. So, neither side has elite pass-catchers. Jamaal Bell (26/247/1) has been Nevada’s top option but was held to a season-low two catches last game. Edge: Nevada
Offensive line: UNLV’s offense line has been a strong suit with transfers C Jack Hasz (from Buffalo) and LT Jalen St. John (from Arkansas) stepping in as first-year starters to pair with third-year starter RT Tiger Shanks, who has one of the MW’s top names. UNLV averages 214 yards per game and 5.2 yards per carry while yielding just eight sacks. Nevada allowed a season-worst seven sacks last game. Edge: UNLV
Defensive line: The Wolf Pack line must play an elite game against the run if Nevada is going to spring the upset. The team allows 5.8 yards per carry, third worst nationally. If UNLV runs for 6 yards a carry, the Pack is cooked. UNLV has been stout versus the run (3.4 yards per carry allowed). UNLV doesn’t generate a big pass rush, but LSU transfer Zavier Carter has sacks in back-to-back games. Edge: UNLV
Linebackers: Arkansas transfer Jackson Woodard followed coach Barry Odom to UNLV and leads the Rebels with 36 tackles. After a slow start, Nevada’s Drue Watts is rounding into prime form. He has 20 tackles and four fumble recoveries. Fellow backer Tongiaki Mateialona has 29 stops (second for the Wolf Pack) and two forced fumble). Backup Jackson LaDuke has added two tackles for loss. Edge: Nevada
Secondary: UNLV’s top defensive player, Jerrae Williams, is out after foot surgery. A nickel, Williams had 19 tackles, seven tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery returned for a touchdown. That’s a big loss. Johnathan Baldwin is a solid safety and Cameron Oliver an experienced corner, but UNLV allows 283.6 pass yards per game and 8.8 yards per attempt. Nevada is last in the FBS in pass efficiency defense by a wide margin; S Emany Johnson had two picks last game. Edge: UNLV
Special teams: UNLV replaced all-time leader scorer Daniel Gutierrez with FCS transfer Jose Pizano, a 2021 second-team All-American. He’s made 11-of-12 field goals, the lone miss being a 46-yarder against Vanderbilt (he later won that game with a 36-yarder). UNLV is fourth in the MW in net punting (40.1). Jacob De Jesus has been one of the nation’s top returners (29.5 yards on kicks; 11.2 yards on punts). UNLV has a top-10 special teams in the nation. Nevada had a kick return for a touchdown from Jamaal Bell called back in its last game on a questionable holding call. Edge: UNLV
Coaching: Barry Odom had a so-so four-year stint as Missouri’s head coach, going 25-25 overall and 13-19 in the SEC from 2016-19. In his first year at UNLV, he’s in the early running for MW coach of the year. Ken Wilson has appeared in the third-most games of any person in the Fremont Cannon rivalry behind only Chris Ault and Mike Bradeson. Wilson is 17-3 in this game and could dearly use a win. Edge: UNLV
