UNLV faces tough task vs. Air Force

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AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Defense has kept Air Force in every football game this season, but the Falcons are still defined by their triple option.

It’s an offense unlike any UNLV has faced this season, including UNR’s option game that ran for 559 yards against the Rebels. And it’s an offense that is tough to stop even under the best circumstances.

“Air Force forces safeties to come down and make tackles. They force corners to come down and make tackles,” UNLV defensive end/linebacker Jason Beauchamp said. “They have such a different style offense. A lot of times even the quarterback is blocking.”

It’s not a favorable matchup for the Rebels (4-6, 2-4 Mountain West Conference), who visit Air Force (6-4, 4-2) at 3 p.m. PST today.

UNLV’s rush defense, which allows 211.2 yards per game, is last in the league and 111th nationally. Air Force leads the conference with a 264-yard rushing average, which is fourth in the nation.

“I feel we’re prepared,” Rebels linebacker Ronnie Paulo said. “It’s different now because we know what the coaches are thinking and we know what we need to get done.”

The Rebels need to get it done or they will fall out of bowl contention and miss the postseason for the ninth consecutive year. The Rebels need to win today and beat San Diego State at home in two weeks to become bowl eligible.

Oddsmakers don’t like UNLV’s chances against the Falcons, installing the Rebels as 17-point underdogs.

UNLV faces an Air Force defense that gives up 263.7 yards and 12.9 points per game, and the Falcons have not allowed any team to score more than 20 points in regulation. Utah beat them 23-16 in overtime on Oct. 24.

That defense makes Air Force’s triple option even tougher to defend because mistakes against it are magnified. It’s an offense third-year coach Troy Calhoun has changed some since replacing former coach Fisher DeBerry, adding more of a passing game and other alignments so defenses have more to think about than just stopping the wishbone.

UNLV coach Mike Sanford devoted even more time than usual Sunday to studying videotape and working on the practice field. One week is not much time to prepare for this offense — “You’ve got to try,” Sanford said — but at least UNLV sees the run-based attack every year.

Quarterback Tim Jefferson’s return to the starting job the past two weeks gives the Falcons a more effective passing game. He threw for a combined 244 yards and three touchdowns in convincing wins over Colorado State and Army.

Even with Air Force’s offensive alterations, two constants remain for defenders to have success stopping the triple option: discipline and lack of fear.

Defenders must maintain their assignments or Air Force will exploit just about any opportunity for a big gain. They also can’t fear the numerous cut blocks that will come their way.

“You can (practice) one on one, have a guy come and cut you,” Beauchamp said. “But if you have the whole defense out there and everyone is able to cut, you’re asking to get somebody hurt.”

Against this attack, UNLV needs every defender it can get.

Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Read the latest UNLV football updates at lvrj.com/blogs/unlv_sports.