Horton finds silver lining in 62-3 loss

Steve Carp

Tuesday, Sept. 3, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

Had the effort and intensity not been there, the score would have been worse than it was and the end would have justified the means.

So given the context of the 62-3 loss to Tennessee, UNLV coach Jeff Horton remained optimistic as the Rebels prepare for their Western Athletic Conference opener Saturday against Air Force at Sam Boyd Stadium.

"If we can keep that intensity and speed level every week, we'll win some games," Horton said of his 0-1 team. "We were still battling and competing in the fourth quarter, and that right there is an improvement over last year."

Horton said his team came out of the trip to Knoxville in good shape, both physically and mentally. Only two players, offensive tackle Mike Williams and defensive end Derrick Monroe, both who suffered shoulder bruises, are questionable for Air Force. Mentally, the players have put the game in their rearview mirror.

"We had good film and team meetings," Horton said Monday. "We did some things well and the things we did wrong, we can correct.

"It's funny. You lose 62-3 and you say, 'Where are the positives?' But there was a 15- to 20-minute period where we played well and we got some things going. We were able to move the ball on them a couple of times and we got a taste of where we need to go and the things we need to do to get there."

Horton and offensive coordinator Charlie Stubbs were especially pleased with the way redshirt freshman quarterback Jon Denton handled himself in such adverse conditions.

"I'm really proud of him," Horton said. "Jon never backed down. He competed. He tried to make some things happen. He stayed positive and that was real important."

Stubbs said: "In all my years of coaching, I don't think I've ever had a kid that young put in such a tough situation like that. But Jon impressed me with how he handled it. He never pointed fingers or yelled at his teammates. He stayed cool and kept his poise and he showed me a lot of maturity."

Horton said one key to making a step forward is to cut down on the turnovers. UNLV had four against the Volunteers, three of which were converted into Tennessee touchdowns.

"We can't afford to give points away," he said. "Four turnovers are too many."

Individually, Horton was encouraged by the pass-catching of Len Ware, who had a nice 51-yard grab in the second quarter to set up Marshall Mathews' 24-yard field goal, as well as Omar Love's running. The senior reserve gained 38 yards in six carries.

Defensively, linebacker Scott Patton led the Rebels with 12 tackles, while Greg Gales added 10 as both made their major collegiate debuts. Horton was also pleased by the tenacity of linebacker Talance Sawyer and the job Mac Smith did at noseguard.

"We did get some good individual efforts," Horton said. "Now we need to get a few more this week."

Extra points

* LET'S DO LUNCH: This week's UNLV Quarterback Club luncheon will be held at noon Thursday at Big Dog's Cafe on West Sahara and Torrey Pines. Big Dog's will host the next four luncheons. The luncheon, which will feature coach Jeff Horton, members of his staff and selected UNLV players, is open to the public.

* SECOND TIME AROUND: Saturday's game with Air Force marks only the second meeting between the two schools. UNLV posted a 24-21 win in 1981, in the Rebels' only game against a service academy.