5 things to watch for in UNLV-Utah State

Five things to look for when UNLV’s football team plays at Utah State at 1 p.m. PDT Saturday:

1. To have any chance to win, UNLV must stop the run. With Utah State starting its third-team quarterback because of injuries to its top two, the Aggies will rely on running backs Joe Hill and Rashad Hall. The game’s outcome might hinge on whether Utah State can run the ball.

2. If UNLV needs to stop the run, it’s just as true the Rebels must establish the run. That won’t be easy against an Aggies defense that ranks seventh nationally in allowing just 99.6 yards rushing per game. But UNLV running back Keith Whitely is coming off solid performances in three of his past four games, and he averages 4.9 yards per carry overall.

3. Rebels quarterback Blake Decker needs to build on his most recent performance. He passed for 332 yards two weeks ago against Fresno State and threw just one interception. He also played his best when the Rebels needed to make plays. Decker needs to play like that again Saturday.

4. The Rebels must keep the Vigil brothers out of their backfield. Utah State linebackers Zach and Nick Vigil have combined for 20½ tackles for loss, including 7½ sacks, and they are more than capable of disrupting any plans UNLV has offensively.

5. The Rebels can’t allow Utah State quarterback Craig Harrison to develop any confidence or rhythm. He is making just his second career start, and Harrison completed 5 of 12 passes for 28 yards in coming off the bench Saturday at Colorado State. If he completes some passes early, however, Harrison could get on a roll.