Punter position not yet decided

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Aug. 18, 2005 | 9:57 a.m.

UNLV head coach Mike Sanford solved his starting quarterback dilemma earlier this week when he announced that junior Shane Steichen had won the job.

But one position that figured to be pretty clear-cut heading into fall camp -- punter -- surprisingly is anything but settled.

It had been assumed that Brian Pacheco, a second-team junior college All-American from Glendale (Ariz.) Community College, would be the man to replace Ray Guy Award semifinalist Gary Cook when he stepped on campus for fall camp. But following Wednesday night's practice at Rebel Park, Sanford said that Kip Facer, a junior walk-on punter from Dixie State College in St. George, Utah, is pushing Pacheco for the starting job.

"We've got a tight competition going," Sanford said. "We went from having no punters here in the spring to where we have two legitimate competitors competing for the starting job."

Sanford said both punters are being charted daily on distance and hang time.

"They both have good days and they're both doing a good job," Sanford said. "It's going to take a bit of time to determine exactly which one of those guys it will be."

"There is competition," admitted Pacheco, who averaged 46 yards per punt last season. "I've been working hard out here and also during the summer. I just want to do whatever it takes to help take this team to the next level."

Bell also underwent an MRI to determine the extent of the injury. Those results are expected to be learned today.

"We just want to make sure there is nothing seriously wrong," Sanford said of the MRI.

Sophomore Tim Goins has locked up the starting center spot but nothing has been settled at guard or tackle yet.

"We've got a group of three guards and three tackles that are the top guys," Sanford said.

Those battling for the two starting guard spots are juniors Marco Guerra and Aaron Mueller, and sophomore Mike McKiski of Coronado High in Henderson.

Those battling for the two starting tackle spots are senior Jesse Knight and juniors Chris Bowser and Brandon Gray.

"We'd like to get a five-man unit together soon," Sanford said.