Hales tells it like it is after shoddy defensive showing

By Ryan Greene

Saturday, Oct. 4, 2008 | 10:04 p.m.

FORT COLLINS, Colo. -- Jacob Hales, who at 26 is the Rebels' eldest player, has experienced plenty of tough moments in his years at UNLV.

That said, Hales was maybe the most appropriate player to tell it like it was after Saturday's 41-28 loss at Colorado State. It was a game in which the Rebels snatched defeat from the hands of victory by allowing a 12-play, 80-yard CSU drive in the final six minutes. Most of that work was done on the ground, as UNLV had trouble for the second straight week stopping the run consistently.

"It basically came down to us wrapping up and tackling the back," he started. "At times we play really, really well, and at times we just aren't concentrating at all, aren't focusing. Last week, obviously , we weren't concentrating at all, this week we didn't for a half. We could be so good if we could just dial in for a play, do our assignments and do the things we're supposed to do, but half the time we don't, and that's why the games are so close and come down to the last play."

Hales' responses to questions after the game were drawn out and insightful, as he tried to pinpoint just what it was that allowed CSU's Gartrell Johnson 191 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, including 49 yards on nine carries and the game-winning score on that final drive.

"Everybody knew he was gonna get the ball," Hales continued. "When we're focused and we're paying attention to what we're doing, we go out there and we score touchdowns, we get sacks, we get negative series and do all that great stuff and then we're like 'Oh , yeah, that was great.' So we come over and then we go out there and just go through the motions, like they're just going to automatically cough the ball up or something. Third downs are bad, you get them third-and-long. You know you've got 'em where you want them, so get the ball back. Don't relax, like 'Oh, it's third-and-long, so we've automatically got the ball back.' Don't relax. Because you don't. You don't have it until you have it."

While Colorado State was just 4-of-9 on third downs Saturday, it seemed like an automatic first down when the Rams were faced with third-and-short situations, as Johnson ran hard behind an offensive line which continually got great pushes against the Rebel front four.

Hales also couldn't emphasize enough the stress the team has put on focus, and how at times it's slipped a bit.

"You've got to understand that these are kids, man," he said. "They're kids, they're out there running around, it's easy for them to lose their focus. All it takes is half a second. You're not paying attention and somebody's running by you and they score a touchdown. That's all it takes. You just have to lose focus for a blink of an eye. Once those points are on the scoreboard, you can't take them down."

Though, like most of his teammates, Hales agreed that the bye week can do nothing but good for the Rebels, but he doesn't want to use it as a crutch, one that will simply no longer be needed in two weeks.

"We're not the deepest team, and we've got some guys banged up, but you know what? That's football," he said. "Colorado State's banged up. Every school's banged up. You go out and slam your body around for six weeks, you're not going to feel like you did when it started.

"You could tell kids what they need to do, you've got coaches telling them what they need to do. It's on them. Hopefully they don't go in the tank and hopefully we can bounce back."