Line powers Rebel attack

Tim Graham

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1997 | 9:05 a.m.

Quarterback Jon Denton enjoys a national media presence. Running back Rodrick Johnson garners his share of attention as the new kid on the block. The receiving corps is considered one of the best in the country.

But UNLV's football program does have a group of players on its offensive unit that does not bask in the media spotlight. The Rebel linemen are not media darlings.

"We call ourselves 'The Union,'" left guard Jerald Pierucci said. "We're the blue-collar workers. We just go out and do the job."

And thankfully for UNLV's Glory Boys, this union will not strike over lack of credit.

"We're not UPS," Pierucci added.

As in many programs, the offensive line at UNLV often gets overlooked. Many see the stats attached to last year's running attack (77.8 yards per game). They fail to realize the unit that helped Denton & Co. become the ninth best passing offense in the country lost only one member to graduation.

"No matter how good you are, you're only as good as the people around you," fourth-year Rebel coach Jeff Horton said. "Other players might get the attention, but these are the guys who create the holes and provide the time."

With the exception of All-Western Athletic Conference left tackle Dennis Whitmore, the entire offensive line is back for 1997.

"This is the most experienced line we've had since I've been here," said Pierucci, a 6-foot-5, 290-pound junior who has started 23 games for the Rebels.

"We're at a level this year where there are no excuses anymore: Put out or get out. That's the mentality we have now."

But the projected starters don't have the size to match their experience. While many programs have a couple of towering 300-pounders up front, UNLV averages 6-4, 275 pounds from tackle to end. Only Pierucci's backup -- 6-8, 340-pound redshirt freshman Blake Livingood -- tops 290 among offensive linemen on the two-deep depth chart.

"The pressure is on these guys," Horton said. "They gotta open some holes."

Filling Whitmore's void is Ben Glidewell, one of only two senior starters on offense (receiver Todd Floyd is the other). The 6-6, 270-pounder moved to left tackle from right tackle, where he started all 12 games last year.

At center is junior Bubba Gonzalez, the anchor of the line. Gonzalez, at 6-2, 275 pounds, took over the snapping duties from his brother last year. Jose Gonzalez was the Rebels' center in 1994 and '95.

The right guard is Brandon Ellena. The 6-4, 275-pound junior was a member of the squad last year but did not letter.

Replacing Glidewell at right tackle is Mike Reily, a 6-3, 290-pound junior. The Academic All-WAC performer has started 22 of 23 career games. As a redshirt freshman in 1995 he became the starting right tackle, but was switched to right guard last year.

A key backup on the interior is senior left guard Mac Smith. Smith, a 6-3, 270-pound senior, started nine games at defensive tackle last year, but was moved to improve the offense. Other top reserves are John Greer (6-5, 295) at guard or tackle and Jon Zaczek (6-1, 270) at center.

Although Pierucci and his brood don't count tight ends as Union members, they are a part of the line.

"When they get a nice block, they get a surrogate pat on the back," Pierucci cracked. "We keep to ourselves."

Sam Mineo returns as the No. 1 end. The 6-3, 250-pound junior proved valuable both as a blocker and receiver last year. He caught 20 passes for 250 yards and a touchdown.

But offensive coordinator Charlie Stubbs wants to make Mineo a bigger weapon in the pass attack.

"That makes the defense honor you more," Stubbs said. "We had to make our tight ends check their way out last year. Now we want to get them out in the pass routes, make them viable receivers.

"I'm a big believer in the tight end position. I believe they're one of the easiest to get open. That opens up your running game, your play action."

And it protects the quarterback. The increased usage of the tight end and the emergence of Johnson can save Denton from taking a pounding. Denton was tackled for 306 yards of losses last year.

To prevent that and those dismal rushing stats from recurring, the line's performance is crucial.

It's dirty work. It's anonymous work.

"You don't get into this line of work looking for glory," Pierucci said.