Rebels used off week to get defensive

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2002 | 10:12 a.m.

Mike Bradeson is sleeping a little better these nights.

The UNLV defensive coordinator admits he did his share of tossing and turning the two weeks prior to the Rebels' 21-17 Fremont Cannon victory over Nevada-Reno on Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium. And why not?

After all, UNLV's defense had been torched for a combined 85 points in its previous two games against Toledo and Oregon State. And the Wolf Pack had an even higher rated offense.

"It was a challenge," Bradeson said. "Like Coach (John) Robinson said, our backs were against the wall. For two weeks it was tough to sleep. I'm glad our kids went out and executed."

Boy, did they.

Consider:

Even two days after the victory Bradeson marveled at how well his defense played.

"(Threadgill) was completing 70 percent of his passes and looking like an All-American," Bradeson said. "He's an operator, a damn good quarterback. To complete 70 percent of your passes like he did coming into our game ... and they weren't just dinks and dunks. They were down the field, too. Just give our guys credit for playing well."

Bradeson said the Rebels took full advantage of their two-week break before the game, first focusing on fundamentals and restoring confidence and then coming up with a game plan that included a variety of blitzes and coverages designed to contain the dangerous Burleson.

Now the Rebels must build on the Nevada-Reno performance Saturday afternoon against a New Mexico squad that has had an extra week to prepare following a disastrous 49-0 loss to Texas Tech. The Lobos also lost starting quarterback Casey Kelly in that contest to a broken arm and will be starting freshman Kole McKamey.

"They're a team right now that is in a similar position that we were in last week," Bradeson said. "Their backs are against the wall a little bit. I'm sure they'll come out ready to play."

The Iowa State transfer also continues to lead the MWC in tackles with an average of 10.4 per game, just ahead of sophomore teammate Adam Seward (10.2), who also had a big game against Nevada.

"Those two kids right now are the granite of our defense," Bradeson said.

"I still feel something pulling in there," Costa said at practice Monday night. "I might have stretched some fibers or something."