UNLV quarterback suspended

Tim Graham

Tuesday, Feb. 10, 1998 | 8:53 a.m.

One more strike and Jon Denton is out.

UNLV's junior quarterback was suspended by head coach Jeff Horton for the second time in 3 1/2 months Monday. If Denton steps out of line again, he will lose his scholarship and be dismissed from the team.

"He's on his last leg," Horton said. "He has the talent to go a long way, but he's not going to be able to utilize it unless he channels it properly."

Denton, who received a two-game suspension in late October for violating team rules, was indefinitely disciplined this time for failing to comply with several team regulations. He will miss spring practice, which starts Wednesday and runs through March 7.

"He has several things he needs to do between now and the time we play again to have a chance to be reinstated," Horton said. "Nothing is promised.

"It's a privilege to play football here, not a right. He has to understand that."

While Horton refused to elaborate on why he handed down his latest punishment, Denton was forthcoming to a point.

"I'm not sure what the final straw was," Denton said while sitting in Horton's office at the Lied Athletic Complex. "I just have been kinda careless, missing class, missing a workout last week. It just piled up."

The Green Valley High grad went on to say his academic performance of late "definitely is an area where I've been lacking."

"Missing a workout or classes every now and then, it doesn't reflect well on myself, the program or the university," he added.

Denton, who ranks either first or second on virtually every school passing list, led the Western Athletic Conference in total offense last year. He averaged 287.9 yards in his nine games, almost 50 yards more than his closest competition, New Mexico's Graham Leigh.

Denton's statistics did decline from his freshman campaign, when he completed 277 of 506 passes for 25 touchdowns against 16 interceptions. Last year he connected on 199 of 374 passes for 18 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

"I think what makes Jonny Denton special is that he thinks he's invincible, which is good on the field," Horton said. "But he has to live within the realm of what everyone else does and what he needs to do to be a leader for us.

"I'm concerned because now he has to gain my trust back and his team's. He's disappointed his team and this program and his family. Those are things he has to overcome now."

Senior Kevin Crook and redshirt freshman Chris Hayward will act as the first- and second-string quarterbacks, respectively, during spring practice. Wide receivers Chad Reed and Damon Williams -- two star high school quarterbacks -- also will take snaps to prepare for the possibility of Denton's permanent absence.

Crook replaced Denton during the first suspension in games at Fresno State and at home against Colorado State. The other three never have taken a game snap.

The Rebels did not sign a quarterback for their 1998 recruiting class, which was completed last Wednesday.

"We thought we were OK with three solid guys at quarterback," Horton said. "Now (this suspension) puts us in a bind."

The specter of losing his starting position -- or not returning to the team at all -- has led Denton to talk of straightening out his act. Denton, however, claimed he had done so after his first suspension.

"I definitely refocused after the first time," said Denton, who noted he recently has been distracted by the imminent death of his grandfather in Fresno. "I was just stupid in the decision I made. But it doesn't make me a bad person. It doesn't make me the devil. But I'm definitely not an angel.

"I hold high expectations for myself, and to sit here and think everyone should believe that is a bunch of bull.

"I have a lot of pride in myself. I'm not worried about playing ball next year. I'm just worried about getting my priorities in order."

Denton did consider transferring, but quickly compiled a list of reasons to remain at UNLV.

"I thought about (transferring) already, and it took me five minutes to decide," Denton said. "I've gotten so much support from people at this university. There's guys all over this university that want to see Jon Denton succeed through the good and bad situations I'm in.

"I've got to face up to my responsibility. To say 'I'm going to leave; I'm going to run; I don't want to deal with these guys,' that's being a coward. I'm going to take my lumps, but it's going to make me a stronger person."

Added Horton: "I hope we don't (lose him). I hope he straightens himself out. The ball is in his court. He knows the expectations placed upon him."