UNLV Rebels quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams (6) runs with the ball during the second half of an NCAA football game against the Boise State Broncos at Allegiant Stadium Friday, Oct. 25, 2024.
UNLV football is entering win-or-go-home season, beginning with Saturday's home game against San Diego State (7:30 p.m., CBS Sports Network).
After a four-game stretch in which the team averaged 45.8 points and didn't score fewer than 33 in any contest, UNLV has struggled offensively over the last two games, putting up 24 points against Boise State and 29 against Hawaii. Getting back to scoring 30-plus will be important down the stretch.
Fortunately for UNLV, the San Diego State defense presents a good opportunity to get right. The Aztecs rank 80 in the nation in scoring defense (28.5 points allowed) and 77 in yards per play (5.7 yards allowed), and the run defense is particularly vulnerable (4.8 yards per rush, 98).
Senior offensive lineman Jalen St. John wants to see UNLV get back to its go-go roots of running the ball after they racked up 290 rushing yards in the win at Hawaii.
"I feel like we can run the ball on a lot of teams. I believe that," St. John said. "When we can do that and we get away from it, it's kind of aggravating, because that's who we are. We're a running team and I know that. I know the type of guys we've got. I know that when we're right, it's hard to stop, so let's run the ball."
McDuffie back
UNLV is getting a big piece back on defense just in time for the stretch run, as junior linebacker Marsel McDuffie looks like his old self again.
McDuffie started the season hot but suffered an injury in Week 2 that sidelined him for five games. He returned against Boise State but didn't quite look right; he was much better against Hawaii, flying around the field to rack up eight tackles, one sack and a pass breakup.
With McDuffie adding another playmaker to the defensive front, UNLV could pose serious problems for San Diego State's lackluster offense (18.9 points per game, 117 in the nation).
Path alive
Not only is UNLV still vying for a spot in the Mountain West title game, the team believes it can still make the College Football Playoffs -- but only by winning out.
Pulling out a tough game at Hawaii was a good start, but the pressure is really going to get turned up over the final three weeks. Last year, UNLV flopped at the end of the schedule, losing its final regular-season game, the Mountain West title game, and its bowl game.
Senior receiver Ricky White said the players are determined to learn from that experience and close the season strong.
"Around this time last year we didn't finish the way we wanted to," White said. "We're definitely going to finish the right way this year."