Triple option awaits: Rebels prepare for Air Force offense

Tim Graham

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 1997 | 9:59 a.m.

UNLV's defense knows it has much to prove.

"We hear the people who say our defense has more holes in it than a slice of Swiss cheese," sophomore linebacker Jerrad Pierucci said.

Air Force is out to melt it.

The Rebels (0-1) will face the Falcons (2-0) in Colorado Springs at 11 a.m. (PDT) Saturday. And in preparing for a service academy, opponents must try to solve the perplexing triple-option offense.

Last year against UNLV, Heisman Trophy candidate Beau Morgan guided that offense to 612 yards and 65 points.

"It's tough," Rebel coach Jeff Horton said of the triple-option, in which the quarterback usually either hands the ball off on a dive or sweeps around the end with a trailing back available for a last-second pitch.

"It's hard to simulate in practice. It's the only time we'll see it all year," Horton continued. "You just do the best you can. You have to be really disciplined."

The key to stopping it is for the defenders to have specific responsibilities from which they must not divert.

"You always teach your defense to be aggressive and go after the ball," Horton said. "But with this offense you can't do that. First, somebody has to take the dive. Then somebody has to take the quarterback. Then somebody has to take the pitch man.

"But one missed assignment and there's nobody left. You can look idiotic."

Now led by Blane Morgan, Beau's little brother, the Falcons scored a surprising 41-12 victory Saturday over Rice, considered by some a contender for the Mountain Division title. Morgan ran for two touchdowns and passed for two more.

"When you go against the option you still have to respect the pass," Horton said. "If you stick your nose in there too quick, they're going by it. We can't give up the big play."

The Rebels also must maintain proper focus, which they didn't do in their 31-14 season-opening loss at Nevada-Reno. Three turnovers, poor third-down coverage and several 15-yard penalties made it easy for the Wolf Pack.

"Some players didn't do their jobs," Pierucci said. "If those players do their jobs, Reno doesn't score on us.

"But if each player handles his assignment, we'll shut (Air Force's offense) down."

Extra points

* HICKS INELIGIBLE: Rebel head coach Jeff Horton announced Monday senior bandit linebacker Lamont Hicks is ineligible this season. According to Horton, Hicks met the NCAA's academic requirements but not UNLV's. "One of the toughest things I've ever had to do was sit across from Lamont and tell him," Horton said. Hicks missed Saturday's Nevada-Reno game while awaiting official word on his status. He already has used up his red-shirt year, which means his college career is over. "He's the kind of kid you want in your program," Horton said. "He worked hard and never had a negative thing to say to anyone. You hate to see bad things happen to good kids." Hicks was scouted by NFL representatives during the preseason. Sophomore Jerrad Pierucci, who made a team-high 11 tackles in Hicks' stead, will remain at bandit.

* WILLIAMS UPGRADED: H-back Damon Williams limped around with his sprained right ankle tightly wrapped and watched Monday's practice. But Horton claims the junior H-back, who amassed a team-high 900 yards on 54 catches last year, could play against Air Force. "He's the kind of guy who if he can run on it a little bit for a couple days, he'll be able to play," said Horton, who now lists Williams as questionable.

* SWEET LEMON: UNR running back Chris Lemon was named the Big West Conference's offensive player of the week for his performance against UNLV. Lemon rushed 34 times for a career-high 156 yards -- 120 came in the second half -- and a touchdown in UNR's 31-14 victory at Mackay Stadium.

* FALCON FODDER: UNLV offensive coordinator Charlie Stubbs' oldest son, Troy, is a sophomore receiver at Air Force. Troy recently was promoted to the Falcons' varsity. ... Air Force coach Fisher DeBerry is coming off his 100th career victory. ... Air Force defensive back Steve Pipes is the Pacific Division's reigning defensive player of the week with two interceptions, a blocked PAT and six tackles, including one sack and another for a loss.