Thursday, Sept. 23, 2004 | 10:38 a.m.
Alvin Marshall was touted as a junior college version of Marshall Faulk for his ability to both run and catch the ball at Compton (Calif.) Community College.
Now Marshall, a former junior college All-American who came to UNLV as a tailback, is being asked to switch positions to wide receiver to help fill the Rebels' shrinking numbers at that position.
Marshall learned on Sunday that he would be moved to flanker for this week's game against Utah State. The reason is simple: What at the beginning of the season looked to be one of the deepest positions on the team has been hit hard by injuries, especially at the flanker position. And the Rebels are overstocked at running back and need to find more ways to get big backs like Dyante Perkins and Ohio State transfer JaJa Riley into the game.
Starting wide receiver Terry Furlow left Saturday's 27-10 loss against Air Force with a sprained ankle and has yet to even suit up for practice this week. Sophomore Tremayne Kirkland, a first-team all-Mountain West choice as a punt returner who was expected to be the team's big-play receiving threat this year, is at least two weeks away after separating his shoulder in a fall camp scrimmage.
That leaves sophomore Donell Wheaton, who has been bothered by his own back problems, to carry the full load at the Z (flanker) position.
UNLV coach John Robinson has promised to open up his offense this week. Marshall, who has been timed at 4.4 seconds in the 40-yard dash, is expected to help in that regard depending how quickly he can adjust to his new position.
"He's got to (play)," wide receivers coach Kris Cinkovich said. "Our Z ends up running a lot in the game. I'd rather have two that can play so that they can play hard all the time."
Cinkovich thinks Marshall has what it takes to play wide receiver for the Rebels.
"I think he could bring us a dynamic of getting off press (coverage) and beating people over the top because the guy has the ability to really separate," Cinkovich said. "But we've got to limit his menu and not toss him in there with stuff that he's not prepared to do or maybe physically couldn't do."
Marshall said he wasn't surprised when he was told the news he would be moved to receiver.
"We've got a few receivers hurt right now," Marshall said. "I guess the transition of me going from the backfield to lining up outside is something I'll have to deal with. I really don't have a problem with it but I'm having a hard time learning the plays and it gets you a little frustrated. But I'll get it together."
Although used as a third wide receiver in some games earlier this year, Marshall said the toughest part of moving to flanker is the mental aspect of playing a completely different position.
"It's more difficult," he said. "Going from H-Back and just running flats and wheels and crossing routes to (flanker) and trying to learn deep posts and a lot of different routes, it's hard. I have a lot to learn, from blocking assignments to learning to run the right routes at the right depth. And I only have a couple of days to learn it."
Marshall said he did play some wide receiver at Compton College as well as in high school at Locke High School in Los Angeles.
"But this is totally different here," he said. "You've got to know the right assignments and you have to be in the right place at the right time. You have to make adjustments to the defense and run the right routes at the right depth. It's a lot more mental. But I'll get it together."
Cinkovich said: "I think he'll be fine. He actually played our third receiver in the first two games so he has a fundamental understanding of formations and alignments.
"If nothing else, he can just run by people."
Marshall said: "It's a change. I've just got to adapt I guess."
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