UNLV hopes QB Blake Decker makes difference vs. Boise State
Sitting out was painful for UNLV quarterback Blake Decker, and the Rebels sure missed him.
He provided them with a credible threat of a passing attack, and without him the past 2½ football games, opponents zeroed in on stopping the Rebels’ run game.
Now he’s back from a dislocated shoulder, and the Rebels need him to open up the entire offense when they face Boise State at 12:30 p.m. Saturday at Sam Boyd Stadium.
“We’ve been pretty consistent in the run game,” UNLV coach Tony Sanchez said. “But we have to add the passing game to go with it. There are a lot of variables involved there, but I definitely think Blake gives us the best chance to be successful throwing the ball down the field.”
The Broncos (6-2, 3-1 Mountain West) are 20½-point favorites, so with or without Decker, UNLV (2-5, 1-2) isn’t expected to give Boise State much of a game.
With Decker, though, the Rebels’ chances of at least being competitive increase significantly.
Without him, they had to hold on to beat UNR 23-17 on Oct. 3 as the Wolf Pack rallied in the second half. UNLV’s offense went through long dry spells the following two games against San Jose State and at Fresno State, and both games ended in defeats.
Decker was relegated to signaling in plays to quarterback Kurt Palandech.
“You never want to be on the sideline,” Decker said. “You play the game because you want to be on the field, right? You want to be out there with your guys.”
If Decker is able to make plays in the passing game, that will help UNLV’s running attack, which averages 213.6 yards per game. The Rebels have not averaged more than 200 yards on the ground in 13 years.
UNLV’s defense will have the challenge of defending running back Jeremy McNichols and quarterback Brett Rypien.
McNichols has rushed for 651 yards and 13 touchdowns, and he has caught 27 passes for 232 yards and three TDs. He comes off a game against Wyoming in which he touched the ball 40 times, rushing for 166 yards and catching seven passes for 36 yards.
Rypien took over as the starter four games into the season, and it looks as if the job will be his for the next three years beyond this one. He has completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 1,567 yards and 10 touchdowns, with four interceptions.
UNLV will try to take advantage of the Broncos possibly being without their starting offensive tackles. The Rebels, who have six sacks, need all the help they can get for their pass rush.
“If we can create sacks, it will help out our secondary stay in there a little longer,” Rebels defensive end Sonny Sanitoa said.
Few expect UNLV to give the Broncos much of a game, and it’s appropriate the stadium is being referred to by the athletic department this week as “Sam Boyd Scary.” That obviously is a tie-in to Halloween, but it’s also what could be a frightening day for the Rebels.
They were big underdogs in other games, however, and were competitive. Maybe they will be again today.
“Boise State’s a great team,” Decker said. “It’s a team everybody’s gunning for week in and week out. We’ve seen the giants can fall every once in a while, and we’re hoping that’s (this) week for us. We’re confident. We’re not looking at them as a team that’s held up on a pedestal that we’re nervous to go against this weekend.
“We’re looking for a fight come Saturday, and we’re excited for the opportunity to play against them.”
Contact Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914. Follow him on Twitter: @markanderson65
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