Mountain West Conference Football Report, Nov. 14

OPPORTUNISTIC FRESNO STATE CLIMBS TO TOP OF STANDINGS

First-year Fresno State coach Tim DeRuyter believed from the start his football team could compete for the Mountain West Conference championship.

Then as he watched the Bulldogs rally from a 21-7 deficit against San Diego State and 21-0 hole at New Mexico, DeRuyter knew his players believed it, too.

"There was no panic," DeRuyter said. "The guys just realized, 'We'll just keep playing. We've got guys that can make plays.' When you win those types of ballgames, it can't help but increase your confidence and give you a thought that, hey, this may be a special year."

Fresno State and San Diego State, each 8-3 overall, are tied atop the Mountain West standings at 6-1. Boise State (8-2, 5-1) is in the mix.

The Bulldogs are doing it with a defense that has forced 30 takeaways, turning seven of them into touchdowns.

"I think any time you can get a takeaway, it can be a critical play in a ballgame, and especially so when you score because it can throw an emotional dagger into the heart of an opponent," DeRuyter said. "It's tough to overcome those."

AROUND THE MWC

Hawaii won't end its season against Temple. The Warriors had hoped to add a 13th game to be played Dec. 7 at Aloha Stadium, and Temple was willing to pay its own travel expenses and not take a financial guarantee. But, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, Hawaii couldn't make it financially work because of game-day expenses. ... San Diego State has won six consecutive games, its longest streak since 1995. The Aztecs also have won at least eight games for the third year in a row, the first time they have accomplished that since 1977. ... The Mountain West has six 1,000-yard rushers for the first time in its 14-year history. Boise State running back D.J. Harper, who has rushed for 828 yards, could make it seven.

UNLV INJURY REPORT

POS. PLAYER AREA STATUS

DL Alvin Amilcar Undisclosed Out

OL Brett Boyko Leg Out

OL Patrick Carroll Back Out

DL David Green Undisclosed Out

OL Alex Novosel Back Out

WR Marcus Sullivan Arm Out

DB John Therrell Arm Out

QB Nick Sherry Back Doubtful

TE Taylor Barnhill Arm Questionable

DL Beau Brence Back Questionable