UNLV can claim cannon and spot in MWC title game with win – Las Vegas Sun News

The stakes have never been higher for the UNLV football team, as a victory Saturday over in-state rival UNR (5 p.m., CBS Sports Network) would not only allow the Scarlet and Gray to retain ownership of the Fremont Cannon, but They also block them into next week’s Mountain West championship game at Boise State.

Over and beyond? A spot in the College Football Playoff is at stake.

How will UNLV respond to the pressure? Three keys to keep in mind compared to UNR:

Ricky is ready for the rivalry

When players are remembered for their performances in rivalry games, Ricky White has a chance to bronze his own statue on Saturday.

White was ecstatic in the win over UNR last year, catching seven passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns, leading UNLV to a 45-27 win and retaining the Fremont Cannon. The wolf pack certainly remembers this performance; The question is: can they do something about it this time?

In fact, UNR enters this contest with a top-50 pass defense, ranking 49th in opponent pass rating and 42nd in passing yards allowed. A good comparison for White might be the other star receiver in the Mountain West, San Jose State’s Nick Nash. When UNR faced San Jose State on Oct. 5, Nash caught five balls for 75 yards and a touchdown – appropriate numbers for the most prolific pass catcher in the country.

If White can break free for a few big plays, it could be enough to swing the game in UNLV’s favor.

The defense finishes strong

It’s been an up-and-down season for the UNLV defense, looking dominant at times and vulnerable at times. In last week’s win at San Jose State, that unit appeared impenetrable, limiting the Spartans to nine first downs, 1.2 yards per rush and 81 passing yards.

UNLV is positioned to finish the season strong as Barry Odom reported the team is particularly strong on the defensive side of the ball – a sharp contrast from last season when several key playmakers limped to the finish line.

Against UNR’s 105^Th-Ranked offense (21.5 points per game), look for UNLV to get aggressive, chase the quarterback and try to cause havoc early.

Under pressure

UNLV in the College Football Playoff? That’s no longer a hypothetical – if Scarlet and Gray win their next two games (including the MWC Championship), they’ll join the 12-team field.

That kind of pressure should be overwhelming, but the players appeared relaxed and relaxed at their weekly press conference, more concerned with defending the Fremont Cannon than talking about playoff scenarios.

“I would definitely say we have pep in our step,” White said. “We’re still fixated on winning this last game of the regular season, 1-0 this week, and I feel like if we can do that, everything else will fall into place.”

Team leader

UNLV (9-2, 5-1 MWC)

Passing by

Hajj-Malik Williams: 63.8%, 1,567 yards, 15 TDs, 4 INTs

Rush

Jai’Den Thomas: 697 yards, 5.6 yards per carry, 6 touchdowns

Reception

Ricky White: 70 receptions, 965 yards, 10 touchdowns

defense

Jackson Woodard: 108 tackles, 15.0 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 4 INTs

UNR (3-9, 0-6 MWC)

Passing by

Brendon Lewis: 66.9%, 1,998 yards, 14 TDs, 6 INTs

Rush

Savion Red: 683 yards, 5.9 yards per carry, 8 touchdowns

Reception

Jaden Smith: 53 receptions, 757 yards, 6 touchdowns

defense

Kitan Crawford: 72 tackles, 2.0 TFLs, 2 INTs

Mike Grimala can be reached at 702-948-7844 or (email protected). Follow Mike on Twitter at twitter.com/mikegrimala.