UNLV’s two quarterbacks might pose little problem for Bulldogs; need-to-know notes
UNLV quarterback Armani Rogers, who has been out for four weeks with a toe injury, has been cleared to play Saturday against the Bulldogs.
Coach Tony Sanchez told the Las Vegas Review-Journal that he would not start — Max Gilliam will take the first snaps, as he has in losses to New Mexico, Utah State, Air Force and San Jose State.
And how much Rogers will play, if at all, remains a question.
The Rebels are different offensively with two quarterbacks. Rogers is more of a run threat — he is second on the team with 488 yards, even missing the past four games, averaging 17.5 rushes and 20.5 passes per game. Gilliam has put the ball in the air far more often, averaging 5.4 rushes and 22.9 passes per game, and in his first four starts has thrown the football 35, 36, 38 and 50 times.
Rogers was not cleared to play until Thursday, but the Bulldogs, not surprisingly, prepared for both.
“They’re definitely a little bit different style quarterbacks and there are certain things they might do with Armani that they don’t do with Gilliam, but it’s not that far off,” Fresno State defensive coordinator Bert Watts said.
“Most of it is in their run game, the differences show up, and within that run game they’ll still do some of that stuff with Gilliam. So we have to prepare for all of it.”
QB run game
The Bulldogs defense hasn’t been dinged very often this season — Fresno State is tied for fourth in the nation in scoring defense and 15th in total defense. But quarterbacks have hurt the Bulldogs in the run game by extending drives, something to keep in mind if Rogers is on the field.
It was only a minor inconvenience in a 50-20 victory over Hawaii, but the Rainbow Warriors had six rushing first downs and quarterback Cole McDonald had five of them. Wyoming quarterback Tyler Vander Waal had three of the Cowboys’ six rushing first downs against the Bulldogs and Nevada quarterback Cristian Solano had six of the Wolf Pack’s seven rushing first downs.
Not special
Fresno State last returned a kickoff for a touchdown in 2008.
UNLV can top that. It last returned a punt for a touchdown in 2001.
Moving up
The Bulldogs’ KeeSean Johnson became the leader in career receptions in the victory over Hawaii, catching eight passes to run his total to 234.
The senior wide out with a similar game — he had eight catches for 102 yards against the Rainbow Warriors — could move into the top five on the program’s career receiving yards list.
He enters the game in seventh place with 2,884 yards and with an eye on a tightly-bunched group ahead of him.
- 1, Charlie Jones (1992-95) 3,344
- 2, Rodney Wright (1998-2001) 3,274
- 3, Davante Adams (2012-13) 3,030
- 4, Brian Roberson (1993-96) 2,956
- 5, Henry Ellard (1979-82) 2,947
- 6, Josh Harper (2011-14) 2,938
- 7, KeeSean Johnson (2015-present) 2,884
It should be noted, though, UNLV is not one of Johnson’s favorite opponents. In three career games against the Rebels, he has never had more than 57 receiving yards. He also does not have a touchdown reception.
Right tackle
Redshirt freshman Dontae Bull made his first career start for the Bulldogs in the victory over Hawaii, filling in at right tackle for Syrus Tuitele.
“There was more ugly than pretty, but he got it done,” offensive line coach Ryan Grubb said. “You could see the promise there, but you could also see that it’s still promise; it’s not done yet. It’s still in the oven.
“And that was a tough call with Q (Quireo Woodley). That’s why they’re both repping this week, too, because Q Woodley has been doing some really, really good things. He’s definitely the next guy in. We’ll see what happens.”
Streaking
LSU had a bye last week, so Fresno State has the longest streak in the nation limiting opponent’s to 30 points of less.
The Bulldogs are at 19 games.
The Tigers are at 18 games, and also play No. 1 Alabama on Saturday.
If the LSU streak ends — Alabama is leading the nation in scoring offense, averaging 54.1 points per game — the Bulldogs’ streak would appear all the more impressive.
Next on the list is Clemson at 13 games followed by Utah at 10 and Cincinnati, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi State, Notre Dame and North Texas at nine apiece.
Quick hitters
▪ With Gilliam starting the past four games for the injured Rogers, UNLV is in its 22nd consecutive season where it has not had the same starting quarterback in every game.
The last Rebels quarterback to start every game: John Denton in 1996.
▪ Fresno State has not lost a turnover since the second quarter of a 21-3 victory at Nevada on Oct. 6, going three-plus games without losing a fumble or an interception.
That is the Bulldogs’ longest streak without a turnover since the 2002 season.
▪ The Bulldogs under Tedford are 6-0 in Mountain West regular-season road games.
▪ Former Fresno State linebacker Tim Skipper is in his first season as the UNLV defensive coordinator, and the unit is having a rough time.
In its first four Mountain West games, UNLV has allowed an average of 50 points and in the Bulldogs face an offense that is third in the conference in scoring offense.
The last MW team even close to the Rebels over the past 10 years was New Mexico in 2013: The Lobos allowed an average of 48.9 points in conference play.
UNLV has lost to New Mexico 50-14, at Utah State 59-28, to Air Force 41-35 and at San Jose State 50-37.
▪ The Rebels have lost five in a row and are just 2-6 this season, but they at least start relatively fast in their games.
At least, faster than the Bulldogs.
UNLV has outscored Fresno State in the first quarter 69-66. They also have allowed just 46 points in the first quarter, their best of the four.