5 players to watch in UNLV-Utah State

Five players to watch when UNLV’s football team plays at Utah State at 1 p.m. PDT Saturday:

1. UNLV junior QB Blake Decker. He made quality decisions in the 30-27 overtime victory over Fresno State on Oct. 10, and threw the ball with authority late in that game. That’s the Decker the Rebels need to show up on a weekly basis. If that Decker is the one who plays Saturday, the Rebels will be in the game. If it’s the one making ill-advised passes, they have almost no chance.

2. Utah State senior RB Joe Hill. With the Aggies down to their third-string quarterback, Hill will need to pick up what has been a sluggish run game, teaming with fellow back Rashad Hall. UNLV has struggled to stop the run, so both backs will have their opportunities to try to win the game on the ground.

3. UNLV sophomore MLB Ryan McAleenan. The Rebels’ linebackers will need to stop Utah State’s running game, and that begins with McAleenan in the middle. If he and outside linebackers Tau Lotulelei and Trent Langham can contain the Aggies’ run game, that will put the Rebels in position to win.

4/5. Utah State senior ILB Zach Vigil and sophomore OLB Nick Vigil. The brothers are the Aggies’ top two tacklers, having combined for 147 stops, including 20½ for loss and 7½ sacks. They also have a combined 11 quarterback hurries, and UNLV’s offensive line will be challenged in trying to keep the Vigils away from Decker.