Linebackers no problem

Tim Graham

Thursday, Aug. 21, 1997 | 9:33 a.m.

MESQUITE -- Jeff Horton has several weapons at his disposal.

His record-breaking passer is back, as are his top four receivers and four of his five offensive linemen. He has added the nation's top junior college recruit at running back.

So with which position is the UNLV head coach most comfortable?

"I'd have to say the linebackers," Horton said.

Horton obviously does not blame his linebacking corps for the Rebels' defensive woes last year, when they gave up the most points in NCAA Division I-A history.

In fact, last year's inside linebackers coach, Mike Bradeson, was the only defensive assistant Horton did not fire.

"We feel we have seven guys who can really play," Horton said. "It's a good thing we only have three positions for them because the competition will make them even better.

"With our style of defense, these guys are definitely going to make plays out there."

New defensive coordinator Ruffin McNeill will operate a 4-3 press scheme this year, relying heavily on stunts and blitzes to disguise a questionable secondary.

"We have a lot of talent at linebacker," McNeill said. "The competition is steep. We have people, and those people are going to push each other. If one guy is not getting the job done, we'll have another guy to replace him. Everyone is still on their toes every day in practice."

In McNeill's system (as in many others), the middle linebacker is called the "mike," while the outside linebackers are called the "will" (weak side) and the "bandit" (strong side).

And the will of this unit is Scott Patton. The 6-foot-1, 225-pounder led the Rebels last season with 6 1/2 sacks, nine tackles for losses, four fumbles caused and two fumbles recovered.

"He brings the intensity of a great football player," said McNeill, who also coaches the outside linebackers. "He's smart. He's got great gifts, great talent."

Patton also has experience. As one of just three seniors projected to start on defense -- bandit Lamont Hicks and defensive tackle Charles Fisher are the others -- Patton will be expected to guide the Rebels as they learn McNeill's in-your-face style.

"It gets a little bit complex at times, but we're here to learn it," Patton said. "The fun part comes when the other team gets confused and doesn't know where we're coming from. When they're confused, we're making plays."

Some underclassmen also will see time at will. Redshirt freshman Marques Robinson (6-0, 220) is listed behind Patton on the preseason depth chart, but A.C. Smith (6-1, 200) is bucking for action. Smith, who pitched and played outfield for UNLV's baseball team last spring, is turning some heads as a first-year sophomore.

At bandit, Hicks is battling with sophomore Jerrad Pierucci.

"The bandit position is a hotly contested position," McNeill said.

Hicks is a three-time letterman, but that is deceiving. The 6-2, 225-pounder has played in only 21 games in his previous three seasons.

Pierucci is the same size as Hicks, but proved his worth as a true freshman. He played in 11 games last year and started four, recording 24 tackles. Hicks has only six more to his credit for his entire career.

Another bandit backup will be junior Alonzo Jones (6-2, 215).

New middle linebackers coach Chris White -- Bradeson was moved to defensive backs -- has Greg Gales as his mike. The 6-2, 230-pound junior led the Rebels in tackles last year with 92, including 63 solos.

Also behind the mike is Bret Gilbert, the team's second-leading tackler last year with 88. Gilbert is the same size as Gales and played in all 12 games last season, starting eight at bandit.

Senior Justin Simo (6-0, 230), who saw the field in just eight games last year due to injuries, is another backup mike.

The Rebels also look for true freshman Tyler Brickell (6-4, 230) and redshirt freshman Matt Ward (6-4, 215) to see time at one or more linebacker spots this year.

Extra points

* TROJAN TIME: The kickoff time for UNLV's game at Southern Cal Oct. 4 has been set for 7:15 p.m. Rebel schedules and publications came out before the time was set and list the start as "TBA." The game will be one of two to be broadcast live on KUPN Channel 21. The other is the season opener Sept. 6 at Nevada-Reno.