Minnesota @ UNLV preview
Sam Boyd Stadium
Two programs that haven’t enjoyed much success in recent
seasons open against one another when Minnesota visits Nevada-Las Vegas
on Thursday. The Golden Gophers are coming off a 3-9 record in Jerry
Kill’s first campaign as coach and have finished above .500 only once
over the last six seasons. UNLV is 4-21 in two years under Bobby Hauck
and has endured eight consecutive losing seasons – winning two games six
different times during the stretch. Minnesota received a good break in
the off-season when senior cornerback Troy Stoudermire (broken arm last
September) was granted another year of eligibility. Stoudermire is the
Big Ten record-holder with 3,102 kickoff return yards and ranks sixth in
NCAA history, 415 yards behind all-time leader Tyron Carrier of
Houston.
TV: 11:05 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Minnesota -8
ABOUT NEVADA-LAS VEGAS (2011: 2-10, 1-6 Mountain West): Redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Sherry won the starting job by beating out junior incumbent Caleb Herring. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Sherry is only the third freshman quarterback in school history to start a season opener, joining Jon Denton (1996 versus Tennessee) and Travis Dixon (2007, Utah State). Junior Tim Cornett (671 rushing yards last season) and sophomore Dionza Bradford (615) will again split the rushing duties. UNLV’s defense allowed 40.4 points per game last season. The secondary is especially weak with junior cornerback Sidney Hodge being the only returning starter.
ABOUT MINNESOTA (3-9, 2-6 Big Ten): Senior quarterback MarQueis Gray remains a bigger threat with his legs (966 rushing yards last season) than his arm (1,495 passing) but the converted receiver is certainly more comfortable as a passer and becoming better in his decision-making. Minnesota is hoping junior college transfer James Gillum can be the feature back it needs. Senior receiver Brandon Green (15 receptions in 2011) is bothered by a gimpy knee. Minnesota moved senior Mike Rallis (83 tackles) inside to middle linebacker and junior Brock Vereen – the lone returning starter in the secondary – has moved from corner to safety.
EXTRA POINTS
1. UNLV and Minnesota have never previously met. The Rebels are 2-10 against Big Ten schools and the Golden Gophers are 5-2 against schools currently in the Mountain West.
2. Minnesota forced only nine turnovers last season, the lowest total among all major college programs.
3. UNLV allowed 40 or more points eight times last season and gave up fewer than 30 only once.
PREDICTION: Minnesota 34, UNLV 23
TV: 11:05 p.m. ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Minnesota -8
ABOUT NEVADA-LAS VEGAS (2011: 2-10, 1-6 Mountain West): Redshirt freshman quarterback Nick Sherry won the starting job by beating out junior incumbent Caleb Herring. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound Sherry is only the third freshman quarterback in school history to start a season opener, joining Jon Denton (1996 versus Tennessee) and Travis Dixon (2007, Utah State). Junior Tim Cornett (671 rushing yards last season) and sophomore Dionza Bradford (615) will again split the rushing duties. UNLV’s defense allowed 40.4 points per game last season. The secondary is especially weak with junior cornerback Sidney Hodge being the only returning starter.
ABOUT MINNESOTA (3-9, 2-6 Big Ten): Senior quarterback MarQueis Gray remains a bigger threat with his legs (966 rushing yards last season) than his arm (1,495 passing) but the converted receiver is certainly more comfortable as a passer and becoming better in his decision-making. Minnesota is hoping junior college transfer James Gillum can be the feature back it needs. Senior receiver Brandon Green (15 receptions in 2011) is bothered by a gimpy knee. Minnesota moved senior Mike Rallis (83 tackles) inside to middle linebacker and junior Brock Vereen – the lone returning starter in the secondary – has moved from corner to safety.
EXTRA POINTS
1. UNLV and Minnesota have never previously met. The Rebels are 2-10 against Big Ten schools and the Golden Gophers are 5-2 against schools currently in the Mountain West.
2. Minnesota forced only nine turnovers last season, the lowest total among all major college programs.
3. UNLV allowed 40 or more points eight times last season and gave up fewer than 30 only once.
PREDICTION: Minnesota 34, UNLV 23