Similarities striking as UNLV, Wyoming strive for consistency

When UNLV coach Bobby Hauck looks at Wyoming's football team, he sees one that reminds him of his own.

"There are so many similarities between our two teams, it's kind of funny," he said. "They've had days where they've played awfully well in halves and quarters. They're kind of like us, where they're trying to put it together over a four-quarter span."

The teams' seasons have played out in such remarkably similar ways that it's no surprise the game is a pick 'em entering today's 1 p.m. meeting at Sam Boyd Stadium.

They also have similar records - UNLV is 2-9; Wyoming is 3-7. Each team is 2-4 in the Mountain West Conference.

And both sides have suffered heartbreaking losses.

The Rebels lost three games after leading in the fourth quarter. Wyoming went through a five-game stretch in which the Cowboys lost four times by a touchdown or less - three of those defeats were by a field goal or less.

But the Cowboys appear to bring more momentum into the game, beating Colorado State 45-31 and New Mexico 28-23 the past two weeks.

"The kids are playing with more confidence, and we're excited to have an opportunity to go for three in a row this week," Wyoming coach Dave Christensen said.

UNLV is coming off a 33-11 loss at Colorado State in which the Rebels watched three first-half turnovers turn into three Rams touchdowns and a 21-0 deficit.

They also suffered the probable loss of redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Sherry, who was injured late in the game. He is doubtful with a back injury.

Junior Caleb Herring is expected to receive his first start this season at quarterback. Herring started eight games last season, completing 54.9 percent of his passes for 1,004 yards and eight touchdowns, with six interceptions.

"It's not like he's a freshman coming off the pine that's never been out there in a game time," Hauck said.

Wyoming quarterback Brett Smith not only is healthy - he missed two starts with concussions during the Cowboys' earlier struggles - but also is rolling.

The sophomore threw four touchdown passes in each of the past two games, and he has 22 TDs for the season while averaging 270.6 yards passing.

Smith also is dangerous with his feet, having rushed for 227 yards and four touchdowns, though Wyoming averages only 128.5 yards rushing and 3.4 per carry.

"We have to stop them running the ball," Hauck said. "Part of that is stopping the quarterback. He's going to have it in his hands."

Defending Smith will be quite a challenge for a Rebels defense that has a recent history of struggling against multidimensional quarterbacks. UNLV allows 223.5 yards rushing and 225.7 yards passing per game.

The Rebels, though, have done a better job the past three weeks keeping opponents out of the end zone. San Diego State and New Mexico combined to score 31 points, and Colorado State scored only 12 points that weren't on gifts from UNLV's offense.

"We know we could always get better," Rebels senior cornerback Kenny Brown said. "Ideally, as a defense, you don't want to give up any points. That's always going to be a goal."

Even without Sherry, UNLV could have its opportunities to move the ball against a Cowboys defense that allows 223 yards rushing and 242.3 passing a game.

That could mean a big day for UNLV junior running back Tim Cornett, who averages 104 yards rushing and 5.4 per carry.

"I think it comes down to our guys embracing wanting to get a big conference win and going out and playing hard and well," Hauck said.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65.