Check this out.................
is on SMU
This game shapes up as June Jones' aerial attack -- although it's
not quite up to the standards Hawaii fans became accustomed to --
against Nevada's ground game, which is rather depleted.
"We're going to have to attack that defense in their secondary," SMU freshman quarterback Kyle Padron said.
The good news for SMU's defense is that the Wolf Pack ground attack has
lost two-thirds of its firepower -- both star running backs -- to
injury and academic ineligibility.
Here are five matchups to watch:
1. SMU defense vs. Nevada rushers
The Mustangs weren't
great against the run this season, allowing 169.2 yards a game, good
for just seventh in Conference USA. So going up against the first team
in NCAA history to boast three 1,000-yard rushers didn't seem like an
attractive matchup.
But, SMU's assignment has changed dramatically. Nevada will play without its two star running backs. Team rushing leader Vai Taua (1,345 yards) has been ruled academically ineligible and Luke Lippincott
(1,034) is out with a toe injury. That leaves the nation's No. 1 ground
game (362.3 yards a game) with just one-third of its rushing prowess in
quarterback Colin Kaepernick (1,160).
No other Nevada running back has rushed for more than Mark Lampford's 293 yards. Suddenly, this is a very different Wolf Pack offense.
2. SMU OL vs. Nevada DEs
The
Mustangs' offensive line is led by senior center Mitch Enright, a
two-time Remington Trophy watch list selection. Around Enright are four
sophomores. The line has given up 34 sacks on the season.
They'll need to be on their game against Nevada's stellar defensive
ends. Junior Dontay Moch was voted WAC Defensive Player of the Year and
led the Wolf Pack with 7.5 sacks. Right behind him is junior Kevin
Basped, a second-team all-conference selection with 6.5 sacks.
If the line can protect Padron, the Mustangs should find success in a secondary that has had its troubles all season long.
3. QB Kyle Padron vs. Nevada secondary
Padron took over for injured starter Bo Levi Mitchell
at the end of October and never relinquished the job, not bad for a
true freshman. Padron has good size (6-foot-4, 201 pounds), poise and
instincts. He completed 103-of-160 passes (64 percent) for 1,462 yards,
eight touchdowns and four interceptions.
The Nevada secondary should have him plenty excited, like a surfer
eyeing a killer wave on the North Shore. The Wolf Pack ranked 119th in
pass defense -- out of 120 FBS teams. They've allowed 31 touchdowns on
the season.
Not helping Nevada's cause is the suspension of safety Duke Williams,
who was eighth on the team in tackles. Also, backup linebacker Andre
Davis, who played in 11 games, has been dismissed from the team. Both
players engaged in behavior detrimental to the team.
As
the playmaker in the Nevada defensive backfield with one interception
and eight pass breakups, Jonathon Amaya will certainly be providing
plenty of help to the cornerbacks against the dangerous Sanders, who
leads all active NCAA players with 33 career touchdowns.
Sanders has benefitted from coach June Jones' wide-open passing attack.
He has 91 catches on the season for 1,215 yards. He holds SMU's
all-time mark in receptions (278) and receiving yards (3,667) and has
the school's single-game record for catches (18).
If Amaya and Nevada become overly concerned with Sanders, however, SMU will burn them with a trio of capable receivers. Junior Aldrick Robinson
(5-10, 175) has 38 catches for 624 yards and five touchdowns. Terrence
Wilkerson has four touchdowns among his 40 catches for 509 yards and
sophomore Cole Beasley (5-9, 170) has 37 catches for 405 yards and two touchdowns.
5. SMU balance vs. Nevada scoring
The
Mustangs' spread offense could work into the hands of the Wolf Pack if
SMU can't achieve some balance. Quick three-and-out possessions by SMU
would give explosive Nevada more chances to score. Of course, Nevada's
injury situation in the backfield could already be too problematic too
overcome.
Still, SMU will need to get junior running back Shawnbrey McNeal
going. The transfer from Miami brought balance to the offense during
the season, rushing for 1,125 yards and nine touchdowns on 224 carries.
Last year when SMU went 1-11 in Jones' first season, the Mustangs
rushed for 497 yards as a team. McNeal should help SMU hold onto the
ball longer and the more the SMU offense can keep the Nevada offense
off the field, the more the Ponies have to like their chances.