By Jason Beauchamp · June 25, 2009 · 10:45 PM

If you remember from last time, I changed the name of this blog from 'Judgment Days' to 'Now or Never.'

The reason that the title is what it is is because I feel that out of all the time I've been here, it's all led up to this.

Of course, we take every year seriously and set goals, and we believe that that's the year we're gonna do it, but this year is very different from any other year in that coach Sanford, he came here in 2005, he came here on a journey and with a mission, with the recruits and everyone that came. His plan was to change the identity of UNLV. It actually took longer than expected, but that's just how football works, and there's a reason why he's got a contract extension. There's a reason for some of the success we had last year and there's a reason for everything leading and pointing to this year being our year.

As far as the leaders go, as far as the coaching staff goes and even with the training, our strength coach, the community and the school, this is the best we've ever been.

This is the year where, I mean, there's not too many questions. People aren't really questioning anything this year. The stage is set, and myself, being a senior, I'm very sure of myself and the guys on the team, and they understand that for most of us, this is it. It's one of the biggest senior classes that UNLV has ever sent through, and what's different about this class as well is how many seniors graduated.

There's a whole new sense of urgency in what UNLV football is this year. Everything that UNLV football stands for is totally different, because what the coaches have been reaching for and with getting athletes with good character, we're there now.

Right now, there's just a buzz about UNLV. It's a positive buzz about UNLV. They're a team that you'd better come ready to play. Not so much that we're gonna win everything and dominate, but if you don't show up to play, they'll beat you.

I think that's good, but we have even bigger things in store for the fans and the people that are watching.

I just say it's now or never because the stage is set, all the pieces to the puzzle are there.

From summer 7-on-7 drills

One guy that people haven't seen just because he's been out with injuries, he actually redshirted last year, is Renan St. Preaux at the receiver position. He's been really consistent lately. I think that's on his mind, too, that now or never mentality.

With the running backs, the younger guys are really growing up. C.J. Cox, he's actually taking a new leadership role that I haven't seen in the past. C.J. and Imari Thompson are coming up and competing for that spot, as well as Christ Brogdon and Channing Trotter. This year means everything to all those guys.

We've got a lot of talented guys in the backfield that all want to play that role, all want to be a part of this season and the success we have this year. I think with Frank Summers gone, it's putting pressure on guys to where it's bringing the best out of them.

Elsewhere in the Mountain West

Even though Utah lost a lot of guys, they'll always be one of the teams that sets standards for the Mountain West. They always have quality athletes and a quality coaching staff, so we always expect a lot of those guys, regardless of having any star players or anything like that. You can say the same about teams like TCU and BYU. They're living legacies.

With the year Utah had, I'm sure their recruiting class this year was great.

As far as a team on the rise, probably Wyoming, because those guys are always competing. They remind me of Air Force in that if you don't come out and play those guys, they can definitely beat you. Air Force, time and time again, if you underestimate them, then they'll expose you. Those two teams, they're both dangerous.

With San Diego State, they're in a rebuilding period with a new coach and everything. I know what they're going through, because it's like when we had our new coach my freshman year with Mike Sanford. I expect them to do all right, but they're still rebuilding.

I'll talk to you guys again before we open up camp in early August.