TAKE FIVE: UNLV FOOTBALL

Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007 | 7:41 a.m.

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In the minutes immediately following his team's 20-13 loss to then-No.5 Wisconsin on Saturday, UNLV head coach Mike Sanford made it clear that close doesn't count in college football.

"Just playing a team like that close is not good enough," Sanford said. "We had an opportunity to win that game and we should have won that football game."

Just in case his players weren't paying attention, Sanford again made his point when he and his staff met with the players Monday to grade the team's performance.

"I think they were surprised at what the grades were that we gave them," Sanford said Tuesday afternoon.

That's not to say that UNLV hasn't made progress. Sanford conceded that the program has improved noticeably in terms of talent and attitude since he was hired almost three years ago.

As UNLV prepare to take on another nationally ranked team in No. 24 Hawaii Saturday night at Sam Boyd Stadium, here is what the Rebels learned about themselves in the loss to Wisconsin that they can use the rest of the season:

1. Dixon can play

If there was any doubt redshirt freshman quarterback Travis Dixon could lead this team - and there were detractors even after he led the Rebels to a come-from-behind victory in the season opener at Utah State - Dixon erased them with an inspired effort against Wisconsin.

When it was clear the Rebels wouldn't be able to move the ball on the ground against Wisconsin's rush defense, Dixon kept UNLV in the game with his arm, completing 23 of 36 passes for 258 yards and a touchdown.

Although a fourth-quarter interception proved costly, Dixon played with a poise that belied his inexperience.

2. UNLV can play

OK, Wisconsin may have been overrated , but the Rebels still held a 13-12 lead deep into the fourth quarter against a nationally ranked Big Ten opponent. Although it's not a victory, the confidence gained by hanging in for 58 minutes against a team such as Wisconsin can be invaluable for a program trying to rebound from three consecutive two-win seasons.

"The only way it means anything is if that same kind of competitiveness, attitude, work ethic - all those things - (continue to) show up as the season goes on," Sanford cautioned.

3. Stingy defense

The Rebels' defense will face the ultimate test Saturday night when it faces Heisman Trophy contender Colt Brennan of Hawaii, but it more than held its own against the Badgers. Led by linebackers Beau Bell and Starr Fuimaono, UNLV held Wisconsin to 149 yards in the second half.

"I think our defense is playing with a purpose and playing with some confidence," Sanford said. "That's something we've got to keep building because ... this week, every play , you've got to have great concentration."

4. Running on empty

The Rebels must improve their running game if they are to execute Sanford's spread offense as it is designed and compete in the Mountain West Conference. After gaining 173 yards on the ground in their season opener (129 by Dixon), the Rebels managed only 48 yards rushing against the Badgers.

5. Minimize mistakes

If the Rebels didn't learn it last year, when they continually shot themselves in the foot by making crucial mistakes at the most inopportune times, Saturday's loss to Wisconsin should have emphasized how even one error can mean the difference between winning and losing. Dixon's forced pass in the fourth quarter was his only interception of the game, but it was the play that, in Sanford's words, proved to be the difference in the game.

"If we don't turn the ball over in the fourth quarter, we win the game," he said.