Rebels’ lack of turnovers is recipe for three defeats

Steve Guiremand

Tuesday, Sept. 21, 2004 | 10:29 a.m.

UNLV was a football team that thrived on forcing turnovers during the 2003 season.

The Rebels led the Mountain West Conference and ranked seventh nationally in turnover margin (plus 1.00 per game), producing 35 takeaways in 12 games.

With seven starters back from that opportuntistic unit, including All-American safety Jamaal Brimmer, who had a conference-leading six interceptions as a junior, and senior linebacker Ryan Claridge, who has forced an MWC career record 10 fumbles, it figured the Rebels defense would pick up in 2004 where it left off last year. But that hasn't been the case.

After three games, UNLV has forced just two turnovers and had none in Saturday's 27-10 loss to Air Force. By comparison, the Rebels already had nine after three games a year ago, including five in their 23-5 upset of No. 14 Wisconsin.

"It's not like we haven't been practicing for them," junior free safety Joe Miklos, who has the team's lone interception this season, said. "Our coaches preach turnovers a lot. We just haven't been able to force them yet this season."

UNLV coach John Robinson said: "Turnovers are not something you just make happen. You also have to have some good fortune and all of that. We're hopeful that we'll get them. We're playing against a more traditional style of offense this week (against Utah State) so there will probably more opportunities to get some than the last couple of games."

Indeed, Utah State (1-2), which visits Sam Boyd Stadium Saturday night, has turned over the ball 11 times already in its first three games including four in Saturday's 48-6 loss to Utah.

"I definitely think they're going to come," Miklos said. "There's no doubt. Guys on our defense ... that's what we do is force a lot of turnovers."

UNLV's struggling offense certainly could use a short field once in a while. In Saturday's loss to Air Force, the Rebels had 11 offensive possessions and their best starting field position was on their 29. Five of the drives started on their 20, two others began on the 19, one started on their 5 and still another on their 3.

"That's a contributing factor (to the offensive woes)," Robinson said. "We have had very poor field position to start a lot of our drives."

UNLV defenders seem committed to changing that.

"We're going to fly around and hopefully get the turnovers rolling again," defensive end Leon Moore said.

"They'll come," Miklos added. "I know they will."

All-Mountain West Conference punt returner/wide receiver Tremayne Kirkland (shoulder) tentatively is expected to be back for the Rebels' Oct. 8 game at BYU. ... The first 2,000 fans at Saturday night's game will receive a voucher for a collectible John Robinson bobblehead doll.