College football 2005: Will Rebels be like Mike?

Steve Guiremand

Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005 | 10:20 a.m.

All abroad?

UNLV, which has seen its football program derailed by injuries, penalties, poor discipline and some just plain bad breaks in recent years, officially begins the Mike Sanford Era on Monday morning in Albuquerque when the Rebels face New Mexico in a Mountain West Conference contest.

The game will be played just one day shy of the 10-month anniversary of Sanford's introduction as the ninth head coach in UNLV history. Sanford, 50, widely respected for his role as offensive coordinator in helping develop the shotgun spread option attack that helped to propel league rival Utah to consecutive MWC titles and a perfect 12-0 record in 2004, didn't shy away from any challenges that day.

"Our goals are going to be to win the Mountain West Conference, go to a bowl game and get ranked nationally," he said.

But with just eight starters back from a 2-9 squad that finished last in the MWC a year ago, it would be safe to assume that this Rebels train ride will hit some bumpy stretches in 2005.

Still Sanford remains optimistic going into Monday's opener.

"I feel like we've made a lot of progress," he said. "Attitude-wise, I think our team has really changed."

The Rebels had almost a 100-percent turnout for "voluntary" summer conditioning and workout drills.

That's about 75 percent more than in recent years.

"I think that helped this team get to know each other and become more of a family," Sanford said. "Now the key if how much that translate onto the field. We'll find out on Monday."

Here's a look at how the Rebels shape up for 2005:

Offense

Junior Shane Steichen, a part-time starter in each of his first two seasons at UNLV, emerged as the starting quarterback following competition with junior college transfer Jarrod Jackson during the spring practice and fall camp.

"A lot," Sanford said when asked how much Steichen has improved since his arrival. "He just gets better every day. ... He has a lot of ability. This offense is really well-suited for him."

The key, according to Sanford, is to become more consistent.

Steichen has just seven career touchdown passes in his career compared to 11 interceptions.

"He needs consistency, and consistency for 10 straight plays," Sanford said. "What he does a lot is he'll have seven or eight really good plays and then he'll have two or three where he'll throw the ball and you'll wonder, 'Where did that come from?' He needs to concentrate better."

Steichen should also benefit greatly from the return of two all-conference receiving candidates from injury.

Tight end/slot back Greg Estandia (6-8, 255), who played just one game in 2004 because of a knee injury, figures to be a defensive coordinator's worst nightmare when it comes to trying to match up man-to-man in four wide receiver sets.

He also figures to get his share of fade lobs in goal line situations.

Junior Tremayne Kirkland, a first team all-MWC pick as a returner as a freshman, also returns after missing 2004 with a shoulder injury. Kirkland, who will start at H-Back, has been timed under 4.4 in the forty and along with BYU's Todd Watkins ranks as the most explosive receiver in the conference.

Sure-handed redshirt freshman Casey Flair and much improved junior Donell Wheaton also have performed well in Sanford's new offense. Depth, however, could be a problem as the Rebels are counting on a trio of true freshmen -- Corey Anderson, Justin Marvel and Renan St. Preux -- as well as junior Shelvion Williams and sophomore Marques Johnson to come through as backups.

The offensive line, led by senior right tackle Jesse Knight and junior left tackle Chris Bowser, is also still a big question mark heading into the season.

UNLV lost 2004 MWC rushing champ Dominique Dorsey to graduation but 5-foot-6, 180-pound junior Erick Jackson and senior JaJa Riley both had strong fall camps and give the Rebels a nice one-two punch at running back.

Defense

Expect a variety of different looks from new defensive coordinator Vic Shealy who moves over from Air Force where he was the secondary coach for six years.

The strength of the defense is the interior defensive line where junior tackle Howie Fuimaono (6-0, 335) has drawn comparisons to Utah's Steve Fifita, the preseason MWC defensive player of the year, from Sanford. Senior Isaiah Tafua and junior college transfer Cedrick Fisher also should see action inside.

Former Rancho High star Leon Moore leads an experienced group of defensive ends that includes seniors Isaac Watts, Pete Dunbar, Mario Hill and sophomore Faauo Faga.

The linebacking corps had to be completely rebuilt after all four starters from 2004, including NFL draft picks Ryan Claridge and Adam Seward, graduated.

Sophomore Beau Bell, who has all-conference ability, and hard-nosed senior Bobby Kelly take over at outside linebacker while a pair of juniors, Matt Pattison and Dan Catalano, will share time at middle linebacker.

The secondary, which must replace two-time All-American Jamaal Brimmer, should be much improved with the addition of J.C. All-American cornerback John Guice. Senior Joe Miklos, a preseason all-conference pick at safety, has emerged as the leader of the unit.

Special teams

The return of Kirkland, who led the MWC in punt returns two years ago with a 12.6 average, should do wonders for a Rebel punt return unit that dropped all the way to 106th in the nation with a 5.9 average in his absence a year ago.

Sophomore Sergio Aguayo, who made all 27 of his PATs a year ago and eight of his final nine field goal attempts, appears to be primed for an even better season this year. Aguayo had a 57-yard field goal in the team's final fall scrimmage and also nailed a 52-yarder that cleared the uprights by at least 10 yards.

The Rebels lose a good one at punter in Gary Cook who is now with the Raiders. But junior college transfer Brian Pacheco, a second team J.C. All-American, and walk-on Kip Facer from Dixie State College both had strong fall camps.