UNLV vs San Diego State Aztecs

With a little more than two minutes remaining and San Diego State clinging to a six-point lead last Saturday, the Aztecs needed a big play to deny Northern Illinois a touchdown.

Aztecs defensive back Kameron Kelly delivered with an end-zone interception, a play Kelly credits to the football smarts of his coach.

"Coach (Rocky) Long is a genius," Kelly said.

"That's right, I agree," Long said, laughing, before giving his honest evaluation. "That's not true at all. We try to put them in the best places that we can."

Perhaps, but the coach has proven especially adept as a defensive strategist through his career. He is credited as an innovator of the 3-3-5 odd-stack, a scheme designed to maximize…