RENO -- Defensive ends Dontay Moch and Kevin Basped give Nevada's defense something it hasn't had in years -- a speedy pass rush from the outside.

Nevada opens at Mackay Stadium Saturday night against Grambling State.

The pair of sophomores have been showing off their wheels under the new 4-3, vertical style of defense instituted by first-year defensive coordinator Nigel Burton.

``It fits my style of play,'' said Basped, a 6-foot-6, 250-pounder who tied for sixth in the Western Athletic Conference with 11.5 tackles for a loss. ``Me and Dontay are speed guys coming off the edge.''

Moch, a 6-foot-1, 240-pounder, was a state champion in the 100 and 200-meter dashes in Arizona.

``This defense was made for me and Kevin,'' Moch said. ``I'm much more comfortable.''

Already the two are competing to see who will get to the quarterback first and who will end up with the most sacks.

``It's a friendly competition,'' Basped said. ``We get off the ball very similar, and a lot of times (in practice) we get there at the same time. We'll share some stats I'm sure.''

``We're always arguing about who gets there first,'' Moch added, a smile on his face. ``We're looking to get back there every play.''

Moch has especially been a standout in fall camp. His hooting and hollering after every big play have become commonplace.

``I went into this season trying to make my presence known,'' Moch said. ``I'm having a good camp.

``I love the 4-3. The only bad thing is that I can't drop back in coverage and get a couple of interceptions.''

Basped has played well when he's been healthy. He's coming back from a knee injury and then suffered a concussion. He slowly working his way back into shape, but expects to play in the opener against Grambling State.

Assistant coach Barry Sacks likes what he's seen from both players.

``They definitely have speed,'' Sacks said. ``The key thing is proving to be game worthy. The real key will be how they pick up the ball and play during the season. Hopefully they can play like they have been in practice and scrimmages.

``They have to do blue-collar work, too. You've got to be able to hem an offense in. If the offense runs the ball well all of the time, you are not hemming them in if you don't.''

Moch said he's ready and up to the challenge. He gained 15 pounds since last year, and said he's more powerful this year.

``I ate everything in sight and in the refrigerator,'' Moch said, laughing. ``I hate seven or eight small meals a day. I was working out two or three times a day. Plus, I've been able to keep my speed up. I spent a lot of time in the weight room since last season, and it's paid off.''

Jim House, Nevada's veteran defensive line coach, has definitely noticed a difference in Moch as a player and person.

``Last year he (Moch) was kind of timid and shied away from contact,'' House said. ``He was a pass-rush specialist and did a nice job.

``He really gained in the weightroom. He's just a different guy. He's a confident guy. When you ask him to shoot between the tackle and guard, he feels really confident.''

House thinks both Moch and Basped have an opportunity to play in the NFL if they take care of business on and off the field.

``He (Basped) is what I like to call a Sunday guy,'' House said. ``He's everything you want in an NFL pass-rusher.

``Dontay I look at as a special teams guy and a specialist, but he can make it.''