UNLV hosts Wyoming at Allegiant Stadium on Saturday in a Mountain West matchup with major championship implications for both teams. The Cowboys (5-3, 4-1) sit second in the conference standings behind No. 22 New Mexico, while the Rebels (5-3, 3-1) can move into second place with a win, setting up a pivotal Week 11 showdown in Albuquerque that could determine the conference championship game host.
Coach Dan Mullen called the game one of the biggest of the season in the conference, noting that both teams control their own destiny. Wyoming presents a unique offensive challenge led by senior quarterback Tyler Hughes, a William & Mary transfer who leads the Cowboys in both passing (1,131 yards, five touchdowns) and rushing (605 yards, six touchdowns).
"It all starts with the quarterback," Mullen said. "He is the leading rusher, leading passer, and leading everything on the team." Mullen compared Wyoming's scheme to his spread offense days at Florida with Tim Tebow, explaining the Cowboys use a reverse zone read where the quarterback is the primary runner complemented by running backs Markell Holman and Samuel Harris, who have combined for 768 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Slowing Wyoming's ground game, which averages 185.8 yards per game, will be a major test for a UNLV defense that ranks second-to-last in the Mountain West against the run, allowing 189.8 yards per game. The Rebels have given up 670 rushing yards over their past two games, including 430 against Air Force.
Sources: Las Vegas Review-Journal
Original reporting: Las Vegas Review-Journal →
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