San Diego State’s defense was exploited through the air two weeks ago, when Boise State quarterback Maddux Madsen threw four touchdown passes.
Last week, it was 51- and 68-yard touchdown runs in the first quarter by New Mexico running back Eli Sanders that did a number on SDSU’s defense.
SDSU (3-6, 2-2 Mountain West) takes the field against UNLV (7-2, 3-1) looking to limit explosive plays by the Rebels high-scoring offense, which ranks No. 7 in the nation with 39.8 points a game.
“It’s going to take a lot of effort and desire and communication, SDSU defensive coordinator Eric Schmidt said. “Our guys have to do a good job down in and down out. We’ve got to put four quarters together, playing together with a relentless mindset of getting 11 guys to the football.”
SDSU has dominated the series against the Rebels, winning four straight games, eight of nine contests and 14 of the past 17 meetings.
But the tables have turned.
The Aztecs are 20 1/2-point underdogs coming into the game at Allegiant Stadium. Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. for a game that will air on CBS Sports Network.
Here are five things to watch:
1. Slowing the QB
It seems each week brings another dual-threat quarterback for the Aztecs to defend.
This week that player is 6-foot-1 senior Hajj-Malik Williams (87-for-136, 1,192 yards, 13 TDs/3 INTs passing / 99 carries, 617 yards, 6 TDs rushing), who leads the Rebels in rushing as well as passing.
Williams’ opportunity didnt come until four games into the season, when starter Matthew Sluka left the team over an NIL compensation dispute. The Rebels have been even better with Williams behind center.
SDSU coaches have noticed how Williams doesn’t go to the ground easily against anyone and runs through tackles against defensive backs.
“I’ve been impressed with his toughness and willingness in short-yardage situations to go get extra yards,” Schmidt said. “He’s real decisive when he wants to run the ball. If somethings not there, he pulls it down. He makes a decision usually to run the ball in those situations.
It’s very much what we saw a week ago (against New Mexico QB Devon Dampier) and, to a point, what we’ve seen here the last three weeks.”
While he leads the Rebels in carries, Williams have options in the ground game with running backs Jai’Den Thomas (85 carries, 508 yards, 4 TDs) and Kylin James (60 carries, 375 yards, 3 TDs).
Wide receiver Ricky White III is far and away Williams’ favorite target. White has 58 catches. The rest of the team has totaled 53 catches. White has 10 receiving TDs. Everyone else has combined for nine.
2. UNLV special teams
UNLV’s special teams have been elite collectively and individually this season.
“They have dynamic returners,” SDSU coach Sean Lewis said. For those returners to make the explosive plays that they do, they have guys that have completely bought into that phase of the game. They use it as a weapon for them to sway the momentum of the game in big time ways.”
The Rebels are tied for the national lead with two punt returns for touchdowns. Meanwhile, they rank fourth in the country in punt return defense (1.8 yards per return).
Then theres White, who leads the nation with four blocked punts. He also has returned a punt for a touchdown, recovered a blocked punt and rushed in to force the punter to abandon a kick.
UNLV also has the Mountain West’s leading kicker in Caden Chittenden, who has made 20 field goals in 25 attempts. SDSU’s Gabriel Plascencia is tied for second in the conference with 11 field goals.
3. Ball security
SDSU and UNLV both have been good with ball security this season.
Both schools have lost just one fumble, which ranks second in the nation. They also have limited interceptions, with SDSU throwing six and UNLV four.
There is more of a spread when it comes to getting the ball away from opponents. SDSU has 10 takeaways (six interceptions, four fumble recoveries) while UNLV has 17 (14 interceptions, three fumble recoveries).
The main ballhawks for the Rebels are linebacker Jackson Woodard and defensive back Jalen Catalon, who share the team lead with four interceptions apiece. Defensive back Johnathan Baldwin has three picks.
4. Getting healthy
SDSU could be welcoming some starters back to the lineup.
Linebacker Owen Chambliss (concussion) returned to practice this week after missing the past two games. If he is cleared to play, Chambliss still won’t be at full strength as he has been playing with a club on his surgically-repaired right hand.
Linebacker Tano Letuli also has been playing with a club the past month, but he practiced without it this week.
Left guard Myles Murao has missed six games following a potentially season-ending knee injury that required surgery.
Murao returned to practice this week, and he may still be a week or two away from returning to the lineup. If he is able to play, it would enable the Aztecs to strengthen the line by moving Ross Ulugalu-Maseuli back to right guard.
Running back Kenan Christon has been back at practice in recent weeks, although it remains to be seen if he is cleared to play against the Rebels.
5. Make or break
SDSU must win its remaining three games — at UNLV, at Utah State and home against Air Force — in order to reach the six victories required for bowl eligibility.
The Aztecs were bowl-eligible a school-record 13 straight seasons before finishing 4-8 last season.
SDSU hasn’t had two straight losing seasons since 2008-09, when they were 2-10 in Chuck Long’s last season and 4-8 in Brady Hoke’s first season. That completed a stretch of 11 straight years without a winning season.
The 2024 postseason will include 82 teams (12 CFP slots and 70 bowl berths). There have been occasions where there werent enough six-win teams to fill all the slots, so some 5-7 teams were invited to bowl games. Minnesota made it at 5-7 last season. Three 5-7 teams played in 2015 bowl games.
A five-win season would signal improvement for SDSU, but thats it. Its unlikely there will be any openings for 5-7 teams. There already are 58 teams this season with at least six victories. Another 24 teams are one win away.