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Josh Rosen is the headliner heading into UCLA vs. Nevada Las Vegas

UCLA head coach Jim Mora stands with his team before they take the field against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

UCLA head coach Jim Mora stands with his team before they take the field against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Rose Bowl on Saturday.

(Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)
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UCLA playing Nevada Las Vegas would have made a great basketball game in the mid-1970s. But this is football and it’s considered a steppingstone game for the No. 13 Bruins as they prepare for a run in the Pac-12. Times staff writer Chris Foster looks at the game’s matchups and story lines.

Rosen rising

UCLA’s freshman quarterback Josh Rosen threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns in a 34-16 victory over Virginia last week. Northern Illinois’ quarterback Drew Hare completed 21 of 26 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-30 victory over UNLV. So, it could be a good day for Rosen.

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UCLA coaches and officials are trying to temper expectations and keep everyone from getting swept up in the Rosen story post-Virginia. He is a freshman, and there are bound to be freshman moments.

This matchup probably won’t offer many of those opportunities. The Rebels allowed 545 yards against Northern Illinois. Even if Rosen has those freshman moments, they are unlikely to derail the Bruins.

The run down

A week ago, Virginia’s defense loaded up to stop the run. UCLA still gained 152 yards rushing. UNLV’s defense was worn down and trampled by Northern Illinois running back Joel Bouagnon (152 yards).

This seems like an opportunity for the Bruins’ Paul Perkins, whose grind, slash and burn running abilities wore down defenses last season.

Perkins ran for 59 yards against Virginia. UNLV will have to worry more about Rosen. So the only thing that should keep Perkins’ numbers down is that backups Nate Starks, Soso Jamabo and Bolu Olorunfunmi will get their share of carries.

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On the move

The major issue for the Bruins’ defense is the mobility of quarterback Blake Decker in UNLV’s spread offense.

The Bruins have speed at linebacker but needs the discipline of staying in their lanes both on the pass rush and if the Rebels use more option runs.

Decker threw for 319 yards, but the Rebels also churned out 164 yards rushing.

UNLV may need to lean more on deception and speed with an offensive line that averages 279 pounds. The Bruins’ line averages 302 pounds.

The play of UCLA defensive linemen Eli Ankou and Matt Dickerson will be observed closely. Both are looked on to plug the gap left when Eddie Vanderdoes suffered a season-ending knee injury against Virginia.

Last line of defense

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The Rebels have talented receivers, especially Devonte Boyd, who had five receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown against Northern Illinois.

What the Bruins have to counter is a veteran secondary with a lot of depth. Cornerbacks Fabian Moreau and Marcus Rios are big and fast, making them an interesting matchup with UNLV’s Boyd and Aaron Criswell.

Beef up

A home-and-home series against a team from a non-power conference is rare for the Bruins. UNLV will play in the Rose Bowl in 2016.

The Bruins have added Texas A&M (2016), Oklahoma (2018), Michigan (2022) and Georgia (2026) as home-and-home series.

The Bruins have gone 5-3 in these series since 2005. The losses were at Utah (2007), Brigham Young (2008) and Houston (2011).

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