UNLV-Arizona Game Preview
By Vince Senick
Game Information
Date/Time: Friday August 29, 2014 @ 7:30 p.m. (MST)
Location: Tucson, Arizona-Arizona Stadium (56,029)
Television: ESPN (Mark Neely, Mike Bellotti, and Dawn Davenport)
Radio: Arizona IMG Sports Network (Brian Jeffries, Lamont Lovett, Dana Cooper)
1290 AM, 1490 FM, XM (91), SIRIUS (91)
Spanish Radio: 990 AM (Samuel Sandoval, Marco Rincon)
Betting Line: Arizona -22.5
All-Time Series: Arizona leads, 2-0
In Tucson: Arizona leads, 1-0
Last Meeting: September 7, 2013 @ UNLV- Arizona 58 UNLV 13
Tickets: Still Available
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Arizona Starters
Offense (Multiple Spread)
QB- Anu Solomon
RB- Terris Jones-Grigsby
WR- Austin Hill, Cayleb Jones
SLOT WR- Davonte’ Neal or Nate Phillips
Tackles- LT Mickey Baucus, RT Fabbians Ebbele
Guards- LG Cayman Bundage, RG Jacob Alsadek
Center- Steven Gurrola
Defense (3-3-5)
END- Reggie Gilbert
NOSE- Jeff Worthy
Tackle- Dan Pettinato
SLB- Keoni Bush-Loo or Derrick Turituri
MLB- Scooby Wright
WLB- DeAndre’ Miller or Jake Matthews
Safeties- SPUR William Parks, BANDIT Jared Tevis, FS Jourdon Grandon
Corners- LC Johnathan McKnight, RC Jarvis McCall
Special Teams
Kicker- Casey Skowron
Kickoffs- Casey Skowron or Ethan Keyserling
Punter and Holder- Drew Riggleman
LS- Chase Gorham
PR- DaVonte’ Neal
KR- Jared Baker and Samajie Grant
UNLV Starters
Offense
QB- Blake Decker
RB- Keith Whitely or David Greene
FB/H- Taylor Barnhill
Nov 30, 2013; Las Vegas, NV, USA; UNLV Rebels wide receiver Devante Davis (81) makes a catch over defending San Diego State Aztecs defensive back David Lamar (16) during an NCAA football game at Sam Boyd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
WR– Devante Davis, Marcus Sullivan
TE- Jake Phillips
Tackles- LT Brett Boyko, RT Andrew Oberg
Guards- LG Brian Roth or Eric Noone, RG Nick Gstrein
Center- Robert Waterman
Defense
DE- LDE Siuea Vaesau or Josh Shirley, RDE Jordan Sparkman
DT- LDT Tuli Fakauho or Brandon Willis, RDT Sonny Sanitoa
WLB- Tau Lotulelei
MLB- Iggy Porchia or Ryan McAleenan
SLB- Trent Langham
Corners- LC Tajh Hasson, RC Kenneth Penny
Safeties- SS Peni Vea, FS Mike Horsey
Special Teams
Kicker- Jonathan Leiva
Punter- Logan Yunker
Long Snapper- FG Jake Phillips, P Dakota Shackleton
KR- Marcus Sullivan and Keith Whitely
PR- Keith Whitely
Game Analysis
This Wildcats send out newly announced starting QB Anu Solomon on Friday night to face a UNLV team that has a pretty solid secondary. Although, many people may not think they are that great after having to face this fantastic WR group. Austin Hill, Nate Phillips, Davante’ Neal, and Cayleb Jones are as good as it gets 1-4 in the nation and should help ease Solomon into his new role. Another think to watch in this game is the running back position. There may be six guys who see their name in the box score and Arizona needs to zone in on two or three backs before the conference season begins. Running behind one of the most experienced offensive lines in the nation should help Rich Rod make a decision sooner rather than later. It will be up to safeties Peni Vea and Mike Horsey and DT Sonny Sanitoa to slow down the Wildcats and give the UNLV offense a shot in this one.
The Arizona defense will be going against a Runnin’ Rebel offense that is also starting a new QB, although he has played at the JUCO level, who has a big arm and one of the better receivers in the nation to throw the ball too. Devante Davis is an unbelievable talent and catches anything near him, so Jarvis McCall and Johnathan McKnight to slow him down and, not let anyone else break out, the Wildcat defense should be fine.
Game Prediction
Dec 31, 2013; Shreveport, LA, USA; Arizona Wildcats defensive lineman Sione Tuihalamaka (91) leads teammates in a chant after defeating the Boston College Eagles 42-19 at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports
This is an interesting game because there are so many new faces at key positions for both teams, so you just do not know what you’re going to get. I give the edge to the Wildcats because of depth and better overall talent on the field, of the players that are returning. I would not be surprised if this is a one touchdown game at the half, but the more talented Wildcat team will take control of this one late and they should win by 2-3 touchdowns.
Final Score Prediction
Arizona 42
UNLV 28
Football is finally here! What do you, the fans, think will happen Week one in Tucson? Do you think Anu performs and solidifies himself as QB1, or does the competition open back up after Friday night? Let me know!
Also be sure to check out our Offensive and Defensive season previews to get you ready for the 2014 season.