Friday, Sept. 9, 2005 | 9:50 a.m.
After opening its season Monday at New Mexico, the UNLV football team found itself with a short week to prepare for Saturday night's home opener against Idaho (0-1) at Sam Boyd Stadium.
The Rebels (0-1) had only four days to prepare for the Vandals, who opened their season last Thursday with a 38-26 loss to neighboring Washington State.
But after dropping a bitter 24-22 decision to Rocky Long's Lobos on Monday, some Rebels are glad they don't have to wait an entire week between games to get the bad taste out of their mouths.
"That's a positive right there," junior quarterback Shane Steichen said. "You don't have time to think about that loss. You have to get over it and I think a lot of guys have. It was a tough one but guys have moved on and are ready to go."
Still, getting ready to play a game in just four days does present its share of obstacles.
"It's a combination of an emotional letdown and then the recharge," UNLV coach Mike Sanford said. "Another thing is that Idaho runs a completely different style of offense and defense than New Mexico did."
From New Mexico's power running game to a more pass-oriented Idaho attack. From Rocky Long's blitz-from-all-angles 3-3-5 defense to Nick Holt's 4-3 blitzing defense that is similiar to the one USC used when Holt was the linebackers coach there in the 2001-03 seasons.
"It's the Pete Carroll defense, which is the Monte Kiffin defense," Sanford said, referring to USC's coach and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defensive coordinator.
And perhaps no one has more pressure put on him by a short week than Steichen, who has two fewer days to memorize and practice what could be a complicated game plan.
"I mean, it is tough when you have a short week, and you've got to really dial it in and get ready and be prepared," said Steichen, who completed 18 of 30 passes for 227 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in the opener. "And some guys are still a little banged up right now, but I think we'll be ready by Saturday night."
After watching the video of the New Mexico loss, Steichen said it is important to get off to a quick start against the Vandals.
"I think I was thinking way too much in the first quarter (against the Lobos)," Steichen said. "Then I finally settled down and started playing. That's my thing this week ... I've got to to start fast and get things going. I think I'll be all right."
A crowd of between 15,000 and 18,000 is expected for the contest.
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