Utah Utes football: Team not taking the Rebels lightly

LAS VEGAS — It certainly lacks the impact of "Remember the Alamo."

Even so, those who were with the Utah Utes in 2007 haven't let anyone forget about what happened at Sam Boyd Stadium that year.

An embarrassing 27-0 loss to UNLV remains in memory yet green. It ended Utah's 11-game winning streak in the series and marked the first time the Utes were shut out in 14 years.

"We bring that up to drive home the point — if you're not ready to play, bad things happen," Utah coach Kyle Whittingham said as the 24th-ranked Utes (4-1) prepare for tonight's game at UNLV (2-4). "So that's something that we have certainly discussed many times this week."

Avoiding a similar scenario is something the Utes are determined to do.

As such, they're not taking any comfort in the fact that the Rebels have given up 1,384 yards and 122 points over the past two weeks.

"Every week is different. Every week the matchups are different," Whittingham said while acknowledging UNLV's recent struggles. "We've got to approach the game the same way as we do each and every week and be ready to play — have a balanced attack and just do our thing."

However, there's the whole ground thing. The Rebels have given up 850 yards rushing over the past two weeks.

The Utes, though, aren't licking their chops about it — at least not publicly.

"You don't want to overlook them. They have a great defense, great defensive guys on that," said running back Eddie Wide, who is seeking his third consecutive 100-yard game. "I just want to go out there and do my best."

Offensive coordinator Dave Schramm acknowledged the Utes will try to run the ball effectively. He noted, however, that's the case every week.

"I know they've had some guys banged up," Schramm said. "So they'll be ready for us. They always are. They've got good coaches. They've got good players. So we expect them to be ready."

As for a game plan, Schramm didn't offer a lot of insight.

"We're going to do what we've got to do to win the game," he said. "That's how it's going to go."

While quarterback Terrance Cain and wide receiver David Reed are sure to play a role in Utah's attack on a UNLV defense that gives 476 yards per game and is ranked 116th nationally, the focal point could be Wide. It's an extra-special game for the former Las Vegas area prep star.

"I'm really excited to go home," Wide said. "It's a big thing to me. It's my last time to go to Vegas as a starting running back to play. So it's like really important to me."

EXTRA POINTS: Utah leads the all-time series with UNLV by a 12-2 margin, including a 5-2 edge in Las Vegas. ... The Utes have four Las Vegas area high school graduates on their roster — Wide, Stevenson Sylvester, DeVonte Christopher and Jeremiah Tofaeono. ... It's homecoming at UNLV. ... Utah is seeking the 600th win in the program's history.

Utes on the air

No. 24 Utah (4-1, 1-0 MWC) at UNLV (2-4, 0-2)

Today, 8 p.m. (MT)

Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas

TV: The mtn. Radio: 700 AM

e-mail: dirk@desnews.com