5 players to watch in Saturday’s UNLV-UCLA game

Five players to watch when UNLV’s football team plays at UCLA at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Rose Bowl:

1. Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA: The sophomore threw for 343 yards and a touchdown, with three interceptions, in the Bruins’ 31-24 season-opening overtime loss at Texas A&M. In his second college start last season, Rosen threw for 223 yards, a TD and an INT in UCLA’s 37-3 win over the Rebels at Sam Boyd Stadium.

2. Johnny Stanton, QB, UNLV: Stanton grew up in Burbank, California, dreaming of playing in the Rose Bowl. The former highly rated prep prospect made the most of his first Division I start, completing his first pass to Devonte Boyd for a 56-yard TD and his third throw to Boyd for a 32-yard score en route to a 63-13 season-opening rout of Jackson State at Sam Boyd Stadium. Stanton completed 10 of 12 passes for 217 yards and three TDs and also rushed for 35 yards.

3. Devonte Boyd, WR, UNLV: The junior from Basic High School exploded out of the gates with three TD catches and 135 yards receiving in the first half alone against Jackson State. He has 2,019 receiving yards and 14 TDs in 26 career games for the Rebels.

4. Kenneth Walker, WR, UCLA: The senior had six receptions for 115 yards in the season opener, helping to tie the game with a 62-yard TD catch with 2:51 remaining.

5. Torry McTyer, CB, UNLV: The senior had a 43-yard pick-six and broke up two passes in the opener. A repeat performance Saturday by the Los Angeles native could help the Rebels hang around against the heavily favored Bruins (-27).

Contact reporter Todd Dewey at tdewey@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0354. Follow him on Twitter: @tdewey33