Steichen named starter

Steve Guiremand

Wednesday, Aug. 17, 2005 | 9:45 a.m.

Jarrod Jackson had just finished soaking his tired legs in a tub of ice water following UNLV's two-hour scrimmage on Tuesday morning at hot and steamy Rebel Park when he and fellow quarterback Shane Steichen were summoned to meet with head coach Mike Sanford and offensive coordinator Noah Brindise.

Sanford then broke the news that he had decided to name Steichen as his starting quarterback for the Rebels this season.

"I felt like (the decision) could have gone either way," said Jackson, a junior college transfer from Grossmont College in El Cajon, Calif. "That's the way it goes. I'll just keep working hard every day in practice and try to get better. That's my job and that's what I'll do."

Steichen, considered the frontrunner for the position after a strong spring practice, seemed to squash any doubt of who should be the starter with a far superior scrimmage.

The 6-foot-4 junior calmly led the first-team offense down the field against the first-team defense to start the scrimmage, capping a five-play, 65-yard drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to tight end Greg Estandia.

Steichen also had a 13-yard touchdown pass to freshman wideout Casey Flair against the second-string defense in what mainly was a situational scrimmage.

Jackson, who spent most of the morning working with the second-team offense against the second-team defense, was intercepted twice, had two passes deflected and spent much of the scrimmage running for his life behind a struggling backup offensive line. His most impressive throw was a 34-yard completion up the right sideline to sophomore wide receiver Marques Johnson.

Both quarterbacks led their teams to touchdowns near the end of the scrimmage in a two-minute offense drill, but those were against defenses instructed not to rush the passer.

Asked why he chose Steichen, Sanford said: "I just think production and attention to detail and the understanding of the offense, and also being able to make the throws. Right now (Steichen) is more productive. You've got to go with productivity."

Steichen said he "had a feeling" he'd be named the starter.

"I'm excited about it," he said. "I'm ready for the challenge. I've been here for two years and now it's my team and I need to take control of it.

"New Mexico (UNLV's season-opening opponent on Sept. 5) is only (19) days away. It's on national TV. It's a big game. I'm excited about that. I'm just going to work hard and get ready for it every day."

Both Sanford and Steichen were impressed with the way Jackson handled himself after getting the news.

"Jarrod's a great guy and a classy guy," Steichen said. "He took it fine."

"I think Jarrod, just like in any situation, has to be ready to play," Sanford said.

That's exactly what Jackson plans to do.

"I've just got to stay positive and I am," Jackson said. "Best of luck to Shane because as he goes our team goes. If he doesn't play well or doesn't do the job, then I'll be ready."

The Las Vegas High School product was a first-team all-state offensive tackle by the Sun. He was rated the nation's No. 54 offensive tackle by Rivals.com and was also recruited by Oregon State, New Mexico and Colorado State.

Rodriguez could not be reached for comment.